Is my cat old?

January 17, 2022 by Natasha V. Behavior

Scooter, the world's oldest cat, is 30 years old. It may sound unbelievable, but a domestic feline that has gotten all of the essential care may live for a very long time.

If you share your home with one of these authentic creatures, you may have wondered, "Is my cat old?" Cats have the amazing ability to be one of the longest-lived pets that can accompany us, between 18 to 12 years.

It's time to start thinking about your cat's care if it's already eight years old since it's starting to be called an older feline.

As a result, it will be critical to keeping track of their food, health, physical activity, and even some minor facts that will be crucial in detecting any ailment early on.

What to expect with an aging cat?

Elderly cats have a considerably more laid-back attitude. They are said to reach this stage at roughly seven or eight years of age, however, depending on the cat, some may appear to be quite youthful and energetic even after this age.

Elderly cats, on the other hand, spend more time sleeping and relaxing and are more likely to develop age-related ailments such as eyesight loss, renal difficulties, muscular soreness, and so on.

It's essential to be explicit about the senior cat's care since it'll require special food, a comfy place to sleep, and even discomfort in its limbs.

Between the ages of 7 and 10: The cat begins to get lethargic, and the coloring of the nose and gums often progresses. The first signs of age-related disorders arise, but it still appears to be a typical, healthy adult cat at first glance.

Between the ages of 10 and 15: The buildup of tartar on the cat's teeth is particularly visible at this point. His teeth indicate the passage of time, regardless of the oral cleanliness or care that we have been able to provide him. They start to thin down and lose muscle tone, and the leas leave a visible trace over time.

Between the ages of 15 and 20: The cat's elderly age is clearly visible at this point, as we can see gray hair on its coat, in addition to any other health issues it may be experiencing. It is common for them to become thinner and have a somewhat degraded aspect, as well as to notice an excessive expansion of the nails.

How do I know if my elderly cat is suffering?

Health issues are more common in old age than in other phases of a cat's life. We must be aware of and sensitive to any bodily changes we notice, such as hair loss, the emergence of tumors, walking tortuosity, and so on.

It is critical to see a veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms since the therapy you get will be more effective. Any behavioral changes, such as a lack of food, increased thirst, aberrant aggression, or if our cat appears depressed, should be reported to our veterinarian.

Depression is often one of the clearest symptoms that can lead us to ask "is my cat old?". This also includes renal disease, a liver disease that develops in excessive thirst.

These issues become more common as the cat ages, which is why regular blood testing is suggested starting at the age of 8-10 years. The key to successful treatment of issues in the senior cat is being able to make an early diagnosis.

Even if our cat shows no indications of sickness, we should take him to the veterinarian at least once every six months for a blood test and a comprehensive check-up. We will be able to rule out any anemias or allergies that may have gone undiscovered.

How do I know if my senior cat has dementia?

Feline cognitive dysfunction, also known as senile dementia in cats, refers to cognitive ability and knowledge of the surroundings that begin to deteriorate at the age of ten.

This condition is fairly frequent in cats over the age of 15, and it manifests itself in a variety of symptoms ranging from hip difficulties to hearing impairments.

This condition reduces the cat's quality of life; thus, it is critical that we remain vigilant since recognizing the disorder will enable us to enhance our pet's quality of life.

Symptoms of feline senile dementia

One or more of the symptoms listed below may be experienced by a cat suffering from senile dementia:

• The cat seems to roam and be confused, since it may not remember where its food or litter box is situated, which is the most common sign.
• Changes in behavior: The cat becomes more demanding or aggressive.
• Increased meowing: If your cat meows a lot at night, it might be expressing confusion in the dark, which can make you frightened and anxious.
• Changes in sleep patterns: The cat loses interest and sleeps for most of the day, but wanders at night.
• Changes in grooming: Cats are highly clean creatures that spend much of the day grooming themselves; nevertheless, the cat with senile dementia has lost interest in cleaning itself, resulting in a less lustrous and well-groomed coat.

If you observe any of these symptoms in your cat, it is imperative that you go to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

The pharmacological treatment of senile dementia in cats is not used with the goal of reversing the situation, because this is not possible and the neurological damage caused by old age cannot be reversed in any way. Instead, the pharmacological treatment in these cases is intended to stop the loss of cognition rather than make it worse.

Take pleasure in your cat's long life

If you decide to adopt a cat as a part of your family, it will require a great deal of attention, adequate nutrition, and stimulation in the form of cuddling, games, and some independence.

Now whenever you ask yourself “is my cat old?”, you know that understanding our cat's processes allows us to have a deeper understanding of our pet and we will be there it through the different phases of life it will experience with us.