No cat owner likes to think about their pet aging, but it’s an inevitability. After the age of 15 or so, your feline will likely show some of the common signs of getting older. Much of the time, these are nothing to worry about at all, but you ought to know what they are. Here are some of the signs of your cat naturally growing old.
Loss in appetite
Generally, cats love to eat a whole load. Your cat will usually eat as much as you feed them. So, understandably, when your kitty starts to eat less, it’s a worry. Don’t panic. Cats tend to need less calories as they age and that’s completely normal. So long as your pet eats a little often enough, you should have no problem at all.
Matted unkempt fur
This is a sign that you will notice as it’s not usual for cats. Felines are very proud creatures and, as such, they tend to spend much of the day cleaning themselves. When they stop being so thorough with their grooming routine, you will really notice it. So, when you see that your cat has unkempt fur, you may worry. You should help your cat to groom themselves by brushing them. They will love that you care!
Problems jumping
Most felines have an incredible ability to jump up onto high places. Still, as they grow older, some cats lose this a little. You may well find that your cat is slower than ever before and a little sluggish. Again, this is not something that you need to worry about too much. Just give them the love and support that they need on a day to day basis. That way, you can help them through the raging process.
Related: Why Does Your Cat Meow? 5 Possible Reasons
Arthritis
One of the most common problems cats suffer from when they get older is arthritis. You will likely notice that your kitty seems slow when moving about. If it appears that they are in pain, you should do all you can to help. Take them to the vets right away and get them checked over. The sooner you discover their medical condition, the sooner you can do something about it.
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Weight loss
Finally, one of the biggest telltale signs of your kitty raging is weight loss. Older cats tend to be much, much slimmer than young ones. Hence, you will see that your pet starts to look more slight than ever before. This is something that you really need to keep an eye on. Make sure that your cat is eating enough and seems generally healthy!
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thanks for the information. i appreciate it. my cat is now 15, i’m seeing all the signs, mostly weight loss. that being said she is acting like a newborn baby!!! she doesn’t want much kibble, instead she demands to be feed can food literally a couple hours. and she is relentless if i don’t accommodate her. this started recently in fact shortly after we lost her brother. maybe a connection? don’t know how cats mourn.
any way thank you again.
thanks for the information. i appreciate it. my cat is now 15, i’m seeing all the signs, mostly weight loss. that being said she is acting like a newborn baby!!! she doesn’t want much kibble, instead she demands to be feed can food literally a couple hours. and she is relentless if i don’t accommodate her. this started recently in fact shortly after we lost her brother. maybe a connection? don’t know how cats mourn.
any way thank you again.
This is great info for cat owners. Especially owners who have never had a cat before.
These are some great pointers even for dogs or other pets. I have a couple of friends that have older cats and I am pretty sure they see every single one of these points in their cats.
This is great info for cat owners. Especially owners who have never had a cat before.
This is some great information – my parents manage to keep there cats to a ripe old age. There last one was 22 or 23 and there currant cat is now 17 and hopefully has some years still to go.
Same with dogs! They even get blind when they get old. This is sad when your pet friend reaches 10years with you. You know anytime he/she will be gone.
We lost our senior kitty a few weeks ago, and he had all of these signs. I am pretty sure he had a stroke 🙁 It is very hard seeing our pets age and losing them. At least I know he had a great life.
My cat, Cali, has been with me for about 7 years. I rescued her when my neighbor didn’t want to take her to their new home. That was fine as she and I wanted to be together. She would always come to visit me. I loved having her around. She has been the sweetest, extremely well behaved kitty who is very wanted and loved. Pretty lucky too, as I don’t think she was treated well at her previous home. She’s getting older now. Not sure how long she was with the previous owner. She sleeps a lot, doesn’t jump much anymore and likes to retreat under the bed for a little siesta time. She’s part of the family. My “kitty daughter”. I hope she’s around for a long, long time.
We don’t have cats but we have dogs that are 11 and 13. They are part of our family. We hope they are around for many more years!
Although I only have a dog now, I did have a cat when I was younger and I remember him losing his ability to jump up onto high places. Pets truly are a treasure and it’s important to look for signs like this so they can be assisted as best as they can.
These are some great pointers even for dogs or other pets. I have a couple of friends that have older cats and I am pretty sure they see every single one of these points in their cats.
This is some great information – my parents manage to keep there cats to a ripe old age. There last one was 22 or 23 and there currant cat is now 17 and hopefully has some years still to go.
Aww its so hard when your pets get older. I have never had cats so I woud not know any of this but this is very helpful for people who have got cats for the first time
Same with dogs! They even get blind when they get old. This is sad when your pet friend reaches 10years with you. You know anytime he/she will be gone.
We lost our senior kitty a few weeks ago, and he had all of these signs. I am pretty sure he had a stroke 🙁 It is very hard seeing our pets age and losing them. At least I know he had a great life.
My cat, Cali, has been with me for about 7 years. I rescued her when my neighbor didn’t want to take her to their new home. That was fine as she and I wanted to be together. She would always come to visit me. I loved having her around. She has been the sweetest, extremely well behaved kitty who is very wanted and loved. Pretty lucky too, as I don’t think she was treated well at her previous home. She’s getting older now. Not sure how long she was with the previous owner. She sleeps a lot, doesn’t jump much anymore and likes to retreat under the bed for a little siesta time. She’s part of the family. My “kitty daughter”. I hope she’s around for a long, long time.
We don’t have cats but we have dogs that are 11 and 13. They are part of our family. We hope they are around for many more years!
Although I only have a dog now, I did have a cat when I was younger and I remember him losing his ability to jump up onto high places. Pets truly are a treasure and it’s important to look for signs like this so they can be assisted as best as they can.
Aww its so hard when your pets get older. I have never had cats so I woud not know any of this but this is very helpful for people who have got cats for the first time
We don’t have any cats, but I have lived with plenty. After college, I shared a house with a bunch of guys and 3 cats. They ran the gamut on ages and the oldest one hit just about every note you mentioned here, especially the unkempt fur. Definitely important signs to look out for so you can keep your feline healthy as long as possible.
My cousin’s cat lived to the ripe old age of 19 years. Just as people have medical issues as we age, so do our pets. It’s very important to make sure they are well taken care of as they get older. Arthritis, joint aches and pains aren’t as uncommon as some may think.
No one is exempted when it comes to aging. I don’t want to see these signs in my cat.
We don’t have any cats, but I have lived with plenty. After college, I shared a house with a bunch of guys and 3 cats. They ran the gamut on ages and the oldest one hit just about every note you mentioned here, especially the unkempt fur. Definitely important signs to look out for so you can keep your feline healthy as long as possible.
I don’t have cat, but I have a dog. He is of 13 now, and I am really worried about him. He has started showing some common signs as you said. We use to put more care for him now. Pets truly become a part of the family and it’s important to look for signs like this so they can be assisted as best as they can.
My cousin’s cat lived to the ripe old age of 19 years. Just as people have medical issues as we age, so do our pets. It’s very important to make sure they are well taken care of as they get older. Arthritis, joint aches and pains aren’t as uncommon as some may think.
Navigating an older cant can be tricky . They don’t move as well, they get confused etc. This is a great post, especially for first time cat owners.
No one is exempted when it comes to aging. I don’t want to see these signs in my cat.
I don’t have cat, but I have a dog. He is of 13 now, and I am really worried about him. He has started showing some common signs as you said. We use to put more care for him now. Pets truly become a part of the family and it’s important to look for signs like this so they can be assisted as best as they can.
Cats do get old like us. The worst thing I found with my 19 year old cat is the farts are even more smeller and when the back legs lose strength, its not long till they go. Oh and they always seem to get red eye too 🙁
Navigating an older cant can be tricky . They don’t move as well, they get confused etc. This is a great post, especially for first time cat owners.
This is all great information for any cat owner. I will have to share this with my brother for his cat she is getting a little old I believe. Thanks for sharing this great information about aging cats.
Thank you for these tips. We must all be responsible pet parents and be vigilant in noticing signs that our pets are showing signs of aging. I will share this post with a friend who has 5 cats.
Cats do get old like us. The worst thing I found with my 19 year old cat is the farts are even more smeller and when the back legs lose strength, its not long till they go. Oh and they always seem to get red eye too 🙁
This is all great information for any cat owner. I will have to share this with my brother for his cat she is getting a little old I believe. Thanks for sharing this great information about aging cats.
Thank you for these tips. We must all be responsible pet parents and be vigilant in noticing signs that our pets are showing signs of aging. I will share this post with a friend who has 5 cats.
Cats are awesome and they take good care of themselves but I agree. Aging can take a toll on anyone and it shows when your cat is aging too. It’s important that we prepare ourselves with what might come their way.
Cats are awesome and they take good care of themselves but I agree. Aging can take a toll on anyone and it shows when your cat is aging too. It’s important that we prepare ourselves with what might come their way.
It’s important to be on the lookout for these signs so that you can address them as soon as possible. Great info for cat owners.
It’s important to be on the lookout for these signs so that you can address them as soon as possible. Great info for cat owners.
Please be aware that around the age of 15 cats will begin to lose renal function. It is normal and part of the aging process, but it will get to the point where they need to eat a renal diet and eventually could require weekly subcutaneous fluids.
Please be aware that around the age of 15 cats will begin to lose renal function. It is normal and part of the aging process, but it will get to the point where they need to eat a renal diet and eventually could require weekly subcutaneous fluids.
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