Common Senior Cat Health Problems

As cats age, they tend to experience more health issues due to various body changes, just like we do. Understanding these changes and recognizing the signs and symptoms of potential senior cat health issues can help you provide the best care for your senior cat.

Why Do Senior Cats Experience More Health Issues?

As cats transition into their senior years, typically around the ages of 7-10 years, they undergo several physiological changes as a part of their aging process. This aging process in cats can include: 

• Decreased Immune Function: The immune system weakens with age, making older cats more susceptible to infections and diseases. 
• Slower Metabolism: A slowed metabolism can lead to weight gain and a decreased ability to process nutrients efficiently. 
• Wear and Tear on Organs: Long-term wear and tear can affect vital organs, such as the kidneys, heart and liver, leading to various health conditions. 
• Reduced Mobility: Joint wear can result in arthritis, decreased mobility and joint pain in older cats, impacting their quality of life. 
• Sensory Decline: Hearing, vision and sense of smell can diminish with age, leading to aging cat behavior changes and decreased awareness of their environment.

Signs and Symptoms of Health Problems in Senior Cats

It’s crucial to be vigilant about the common signs and symptoms that may indicate senior cat problems. Common aging cat issues like hypertension are typically secondary to other conditions like diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid disease that can exhibit the following symptoms: 

• Lethargy: A noticeable decrease in activity levels can indicate various underlying conditions. 
• Changes in Appetite or Weight: Sudden weight loss or gain can be a sign of several health issues, including thyroid problems or diabetes. 
• Vomiting and Diarrhea: Frequent episodes can indicate senior cat digestive problems or food intolerances. 
• Confusion or Disorientation: While disorientation can start in kittenhood as a symptom of medical conditions like ataxia or cerebellar hypoplasia, it’s essential to look out for sudden signs in older cats of cat confusion (or senior cat dementia) such as getting lost in familiar places or forgetting routines. 
• Excessive Sleeping: While cats do sleep a lot, a senior cat sleeping a lot more than usual can indicate health issues. 
• Litter Box Problems: Senior cat litter box problems can indicate urinary tract infections, arthritis or cognitive issues. 
• Incontinence: Elderly cat incontinence, or inability to control bladder or bowel movements, could point to serious health concerns.

Common Health Issues That Affect Senior Cats

A variety of health issues with the symptoms above can affect senior cats, including but not limited to: 

• Arthritis: Symptoms include stiffness, limping, reluctance to jump and decreased activity. Wear and tear on the joints, previous injuries and obesity can contribute to arthritis in senior cats.  
• Kidney Disease: Senior cat kidney disease symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and poor coat condition. Aging, genetics and chronic dehydration contribute to senior cats’ kidney problems. 
• Heart Disease: Coughing, difficulty breathing, lethargy and loss of appetite are all symptoms of heart disease. Heart disease may be congenital or have a genetic component, and conditions like hypertension and/or obesity can exacerbate the disease.  
• Hyperthyroidism: Weight loss despite increased appetite, hyperactivity and poor coat quality point toward hyperthyroidism. The cause of this disorder is overproduction of thyroid hormones. 
• Diabetes Mellitus: Increased thirst and urination, weight loss and lethargy all mean your cat may be suffering from diabetes. Diabetes arises from insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance.  
• Cancer: Cancer in senior cats may manifest as lumps or bumps, changes in behavior and unexplained weight loss. Genetic factors, environmental exposures and aging can all be the cause of cancer. 
• Liver Disease: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and jaundice are evidence of liver disease. Jaundice in cats, like in humans, presents itself by the yellowing of the skin, whites of the eyes and gums. Advanced liver disease can cause senior cat seizures. Causes of liver disease in senior cats include, but are not limited to, age, genetic problems in breeds such as Siamese cats, bacterial or viral infections, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, tumors or poisons. 
• Dental Disease: Symptoms of dental disease include difficulty eating, bad breath and swollen gums. Causes include bacterial infections, tartar buildup and gum inflammation. 
• Strokes: Symptoms of a stroke include sudden cat disorientation, loss of balance and abnormal eye movements. Causes include blood clots, high blood pressure and heart disease. 
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is not very common in cats overall. It’s most common in older and middle-aged cats when it arises. Symptoms include a hazy or blue color to the eye, red eyes, decreased appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, dilated pupils, eye discharge, sudden aggression, loss of vision, one eye looking more prominent than the other, vomiting, squinting, hiding, not wanting to play and excessive sleepiness. Causes include genetics or an underlying condition if it prevents normal fluid drainage in the eye.

How to Care for a Senior Cat With Health Issues

Senior cat care involves a combination of attentive monitoring, regular veterinary checkups and adjustments in their daily routine to accommodate their changing needs. Understanding these aspects of senior cat health problems allows you to help your feline friend age gracefully and comfortably. Ways to care for your senior cat with health issues include: 

• Regular Vet Visits: Schedule checkups at least twice yearly to catch any potential issues early. 
• Comfortable Environment: To create a soothing environment for your cat, provide soft bedding and easy access to food, water and litter boxes to avoid elderly cat litter box problems. 
• Special Diets: Consider senior cat foods that support aging joints, kidneys and overall health. Talk to your vet first to get the best recommendation for their diet.  
• Medication Management: Follow your vet’s guidance on medications or supplements for managing chronic pain and conditions. 
• Gentle Exercise: Encourage light play and movement to maintain joint health as part of a senior cat arthritis treatment plan and prevent obesity.

When to See a Vet?

Knowing when to seek veterinary care is crucial. If you observe any of the following, it’s time to consult your vet:

• Sudden changes, particularly in elimination behavior or appetite
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing or chronic coughing
• Severe lethargy or inability to move
• Signs of pain or discomfort 

Seeking veterinary care for senior cat health problems can feel especially difficult if it involves end-of-life considerations. Your veterinarian can help you determine if symptoms may be signs of dying and help you make the best choices for your cat. 

For more expert tips on caring for your senior cat, explore our other senior cat health articles.