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15 Signs Your Cat Is Getting Old

“My 18 years old cat” by martin.pennings is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Although cats can often live well into their teens, they are generally considered seniors once they hit 10 years old. As your cat ages, natural biological changes start to occur. However, what might seem like small shifts in behavior could actually point to a hidden health issue. Here are 15 signs of aging in cats and what to do if you notice them in your kitty.

They’re Sleeping More

brown tabby cat lying on white floor
Photo by Mariellem Oliveira on Unsplash

Sure, adult cats already sleep around 16 hours a day, but as they enter their senior years, you might notice your cat sleeping even more. Along with longer naps, you could also find it harder to wake them up—especially if their hearing and vision aren’t as sharp as before. These changes are usually normal as part of the aging process.

They’re Losing Weight

brown tabby cat on brown floor
Photo by Cédric VT on Unsplash

Even with a good appetite, many senior cats start losing weight, which can be a red flag. If your older cat is dropping pounds, it’s time to visit the vet sooner rather than later. Your vet may run blood tests to figure out why. Many causes of weight loss, like hyperthyroidism or diabetes, are treatable, so catching any issues early allows for quicker treatment.

Their Eating Habits Are Different

orange tabby cat on gray concrete floor
Photo by am on Unsplash

Senior cats should keep a steady weight—neither weight gain nor loss is typical as they age. However, their appetite might fluctuate a bit to help them maintain that balance as their metabolism changes. Seeing your feline suddenly eating much more or less than usual could signal an underlying issue.

They’ve Got Dental Problems

yawning brown tabby kitten
Photo by Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash

Even younger cats—as early as 4 or 5 years old—can start developing dental disease. After all, if you didn’t brush your teeth for years, you’d probably expect some dental trouble, too! Even with regular brushing, issues can still arise over time. Nearly 100% of cats will have dental disease by age 5, so it’s definitely something to be mindful of and address.

They’re Less Active

an orange and white cat sleeping on a red cushion
Photo by faiz Mohomed on Unsplash

Young cats can be super energetic and playful, but older cats often show changes in their energy as they get older. Your once mischievous kitty might now ignore chances to knock over your houseplant or check out the hidden spots in your kitchen cabinets. You might also notice your older cat prefers to take a nap on their favorite windowsill instead of playing with their favorite toy.

Their Personality Is Changing

a close up of a cat with a blurry background
Photo by Nadin Thirteen on Unsplash

Your older cat might show some personality changes as they age. For instance, a once-sweet cat could start acting more aggressive, like biting, scratching, or hissing when you or another pet come too close. If you notice any subtle shifts in their behavior that seem off from their usual self—it can be a sign of some bigger health issues.

Their Fur Looks Different

orange and white cat on gray brick floor
Photo by Louis Droege on Unsplash

If you see gray, silver, or white hairs around your cat’s face—it’s a pretty clear sign that they’re getting older. As they age, their brown, black, white, or orange fur might slowly start to lose its color since the pigment cells in their hair follicles aren’t being produced anymore. Your older cat’s coat might also thin out a bit as they deal with some mild hereditary hair loss.

They’re Having Vision Issues

a cat that is sitting in the grass
Photo by Roberto Catarinicchia on Unsplash

Aging can alter how your golden-aged feline perceives the world—litter-ally. Vision issues may start to emerge as your cat approaches around 9 years of age. Abnormalities in the vision of older cats can indicate other age-related conditions. If your senior cat is often pawing at their eyes and blinking excessively, or if you notice cloudiness or enlarged blood vessels when examining their eyes, it’s a sign of a vision problem.

They’re Forgetting Things

white cat lying on gray textile
Photo by Noah Moquin on Unsplash

If your cat starts to get confused by things they usually do every day, it might be a sign of memory or thinking problems. Changes in behavior like accidents in the litter box, avoiding people, wandering around, meowing a lot, or looking disoriented could also be signs of mental confusion or cat senility, so it’s a good idea to check in with your vet.

They’re Moving Differently

brown tabby cat on black wooden table
Photo by Jonas Jaeken on Unsplash

Cats with mobility issues because of joint inflammation might struggle to get to or climb into their litterbox—especially if stairs are involved. This can also cause your senior cat to eliminate inappropriate spots, and that’s going to be a big problem for you. We recommend you take your kitty to the vet.

They’re Not Grooming Like They Used To

a close up of a cat laying on a bed
Photo by Maurice DT on Unsplash

Remember when your cat was the ultimate example of cleanliness? The licking activity was like an Insta boomerang. As they get older, they may start to slack off on their grooming routine. This isn’t just a case of kitty laziness—it could be a sign that your cat is moving into their senior years. You may see that their fur is looking a bit messy or matted, particularly in those tricky spots.

They’re Thirsty All the Time

A cat licking a glass of water on a table
Photo by Deeja Shots on Unsplash

An uptick in water drinking might look harmless, but it’s actually a warning sign for older cats. If you’re finding yourself filling up the water bowl more often, your furry friend could be letting you know they’re entering their senior years. Drinking a lot in older cats can be a sign of common age-related problems like kidney disease or diabetes.

They’re Talking More

a close up of a cat with green eyes
Photo by Nadin Thirteen on Unsplash

Is your once-quiet kitty suddenly turning into a feline opera star? Increased vocalization, especially at night, can be one surprising indicator that your cat is getting older. And this change in behavior isn’t just your cat picking up a new hobby—it’s another cue of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), the one we talked about earlier.

They’re Changing Their Litter Box Habits

brown and white cat on gray concrete floor
Photo by aisvri on Unsplash

Have you noticed any changes in your cat’s bathroom routine? Little shifts in their litter box habits can be a sneaky sign that your furry friend is getting older. You might catch your cat using the litter box more often or even having accidents outside their usual spot. These changes can be tied to a bunch of age-related issues.

They’re Chasing Warmth

a cat walking across a brick walkway on a sunny day
Photo by Alexander Höhn on Unsplash

Is your cat suddenly on the hunt for warm spots more often? An unexpected sensitivity to temperature can be a subtle hint that your furry buddy is entering their golden years. You might notice your cat curling up in sunny spots more often or snuggling under cozy blankets even when it’s not that cold. This extra sensitivity to the chill usually comes from age-related changes in a cat’s circulation and metabolism.

Written by Lisa O

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