Once your cat reaches 7 years old, they are the equivalent of middle aged in human years and are considered a senior. At this stage of your cat’s life, you may notice some changes in your cat’s behaviour and daily routines. Whilst this is part and parcel of growing older for many animals, it can also be a sign of several health conditions which require veterinary attention.
We recommend bringing your senior cat in for a health check once every six months, as at this age, illnesses can develop and health can deteriorate much faster than in younger animals. On this page, we look at some of the most common health issues affecting senior cats which your vet can help you manage.
Dental disease
Your cat’s dental health tends to deteriorate as it ages and dental disease is a common issue which owners may not pick up on. Owners often mistakenly assume that because their cat is still eating well, their dental health must be in good order. However, in most cases, the animal will learn to eat in a way that avoids aggravating their condition, or simply learn to tolerate the pain. Web will perform a dental check up when you bring your senior cat in for their six monthly examination.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is incredibly common in older cats and can be tied to a range of serious conditions including thyroid problems, kidney disease and blindness. Your vet will check your senior cat’s blood pressure at each visit and this is a simple, pain free way to pick up on serious illnesses which may otherwise go undiagnosed.
Kidney and thyroid disease
Cats are masters when it comes to concealing symptoms of illness from their owners and because of this, many serious health conditions go undiagnosed until it’s too late. We recommend annual blood testing for senior cats over ten years old as this is a fast and simple way to diagnose kidney and thyroid disease, both of which are extremely common in ageing cats.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a painful, debilitating condition which is very common amongst senior cats but the good news is it can be easily managed with changes at home and various medications. Common signs of arthritis in senior cats include changes in behaviour such as a reluctance to jump up on things or reduced grooming.
