Top 10 Changes in Older Cats: What to Expect
The most common feature of elderly cats is a decrease in activity. Once cats reach their teens, they may develop arthritis. Elderly cats may also sleep more and become more irritable. Additionally, you may notice their fur turning gray, and their vision and hearing declining.
Elderly cats prefer to spend more time alone. While elderly cats may not play as much as kittens, they can still be great companions. We should be grateful for their company and provide them with the care they need at this stage of life. This way, you can enjoy more wonderful moments together.
1. When is a cat considered elderly?
The mouth of an aging cat will become gray, and they will sleep more and move less. This is a natural part of aging, which everyone cannot escape.
The aging process varies depending on the breed, lifestyle, diet, and experiences. On average, most cats follow the following life cycle:
Newborn 08 weeks
Juvenile 8 weeks12 months
Adolescence 1 year9 years
Adulthood 10 years14 years
Old age 15 years and above
Some cats may start entering old age around 7 years old, but this is rare. Many cats can live to be over 20 years old and will spend more time on their own, leading a more fulfilling life.
2. The aging process in cats
As cats age, they will experience a series of changes. These changes are generally gradual rather than sudden, which is consistent with the natural aging process.
Sudden changes in a cat's physical or behavioral signs are often a sign of illness, and veterinary assistance should be sought. These changes may include:
Unexplained weight loss
Atypical aggressive behavior
Drastic changes in sleep patterns
Constant hiding
Refusal to move
Overactivity
Cats become less active as they age. This is not a bad thing; they have been with you for so long, and by the time they reach old age, they should have some time to themselves, enjoy the sunset, and take naps.
However, it is also important to understand the changes in elderly cats and their behavior during this stage, as many of the benefits you need to provide them should be adjusted accordingly.
Below, we will discuss these changes one by one.
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Arthritis is also a common disease in elderly cats. According to incomplete statistics, more than 90% of cats over 11 years old have arthritis. This means they have been suffering from joint pain for a long time.
The signs of arthritis in cats include:
Not wanting to run and jump
Not moving unless necessary
Movement is slow and stiff, and they may limp
They may be very sensitive to being touched
They may urinate outside the litter box sometimes
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around, which can make the elderly's life chaotic due to the new family member.
Most elderly cats prefer to be alone and quiet, so when considering a new family member, you should also take the elderly cat's situation into account.
Activity level decrease
Cats with arthritis may not want to run and jump, and they may not move unless necessary. Their movements may be slow and stiff, and they may limp. They may also be very sensitive to being touched and may urinate outside the litter box sometimes.
The treatment for arthritis includes:
Joint massage
Nutritional supplements
Food, water, and litter boxes should be placed close to each other
Avoid unnecessary touching
They prefer to stay in one place and be soft (to prevent hard landings)
Arthritis can be a very bad experience for cats. As owners, we should do our best to alleviate their pain.
Below, we will discuss the following changes:
Character changes
Elderly cats may become more irritable. If you interact with them, and they ignore you or become restless, it may just be because they are tired today. Elderly cats prefer to sleep quietly in one place.
However, you should also pay attention to their behavioral changes. If their character suddenly becomes worse, it may be because the cat is sick. We know that cats are experts at hiding pain. In this case, you should pay more attention.
Of course, they may just not want to be disturbed. But when considering getting a new kitten, remember that kittens love to play and may pull the old cat around
