Common Problems Senior Cat Owners Should Watch Out For

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Did you know that November is National Senior Pet Month? It is, and we have a thing for cats and dogs that are up there in age. They’ve been with our families for many years. In many instances, they’ve grown up with us or with our children, and they are an integral part of our family and our hearts. While there are always those who no longer see the value or purpose in an aging pet, we see it with ease. Our older pets are our best friends, our companions and the wise animal members of our families that have been there and done that with us our entire lives.

They’re the animals we’ve loved forever, but they are no longer the same animals. Senior cats have changed a lot since they were precocious kittens. They’re older, so their bodies are different. Their minds are different, and they are no longer the same animals that they once were. Unfortunately, with age also comes health considerations that are not an issue when our cats are babies or much younger. There are always considerations to make that have everything to do with health, and we want to make sure that our senior cat owners know which problems to look out for as their cats continue to age.

Litter Box Habits Change

Babies use the bathroom in their diapers until they learn not to, and sometimes we joke that senior humans need their own diapers changed, “That’s all right, son, because one day you’ll be changing my diapers and I’ll get you back for the years it took me to potty train you,” says all parents. Cats are not all that different in this mentality. At some point as they age, it’s not uncommon that they suddenly begin to change their litter box habits and their process.

For instance, a cat that has joint issues might avoid the litter box not because she doesn’t want to use it, but because it hurts too much to get up into it. If your older cat has a health issue such as diabetes, he or she might drink excessive amounts of water and not be able to control their bladder quite as well. Furthermore, a cat that has difficulty using the bathroom due to constipation issues might simply leave the litter box alone because it reminds him of being in pain.

Activity Level Changes

We all slow down a bit as we get older. We wish for the exuberance and youthful energy of our young children, and we notice a change in our activity levels. Cats are the same. They might have joint issues, health issues or other issues that make your cat less likely to want to jump up on your chairs or furniture or move too much. Arthritis and other cartilage deterioration issues can lead your cat to make the decision not to want to move in certain directions anymore, and it’s common.

Grooming Habit Changes

Cats like to be dapper and clean, but there are a few instances in their lives in which they might no longer groom quite as much as they once did. A cat with arthritis, for instance, might avoid grooming because it is simply too painful to move his or her paws or legs in certain directions. A cat with health issues you cannot see, such as kidney failure or a thyroid issue might also avoid grooming. If your cat doesn’t groom as regularly as he or she once did, it’s a good idea to get him or her to the vet for a checkup. At this age, we need you to diagnose your cat’s health issues as soon as possible.

Hearing Issues

Suddenly your stealth and sneaky cat is not quite the stealth and sneaky cat, but you seem to have become a ninja master with your newfound ability to sneak up on the cat and startle him. Don’t go praising your ninja skills just yet; your senior cat is probably just losing his hearing and you’re not any quieter than you once were. A cat that is suddenly startled by things that never caused a problem in the past might be one that’s suffering from hearting loss and or vision issues.

Change in Conversation

Your cat is your friend, your companion. You know him or her better than we do, so you have to ask yourself if you’ve noticed any change is his conversations with you. Did you have a cat that always had something to say to you, or one that was never interested in carrying on a conversation? Has that changed? Does your quiet and sweet cat suddenly talk your ear off, or does your previously very loud and boisterous cat not have anything left to say? It’s not your lucky day in that case; it’s his unlucky day as it could be a sign your cat is ill.

Eating Habit Changes

At this age, there are so many different eating habits that could signal a bigger health issue when associated with your cat’s behavior. Senior cats don’t stop eating just because they are older. However, they are more prone to certain health issues, and that might show up as a change in eating habits.

• Excessive drinking can be a sign that a senior cat has a health issues such as a hyperthyroidism, diabetes or even kidney disease that is causing him to drink excessively (and can also lead to a loss of bladder control)
• Dehydration is an issue when cats are not drinking enough water due to underlying health issues
• A cat that suddenly seems insatiable when it comes to meal time could have a health issue such as diabetes, which causes a cat that’s already being fed well and enough to feel as if he or she is starved and hasn’t eaten in days. This can cause obesity and diabetes to become worse
• Cats that seem to have no more interest in eating could be suffering from dental issues that resulted from poor oral health, or they could be suffering from cancer

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