As your cat ages, certain psychological and physiological changes will occur. Cats over the age of 10 years should have yearly geriatric screenings, along with their inoculations.
As their bodies change, older cats may develop problems with their bowels that can cause constipation, diarrhea or incontinence. If any problems should occur, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. Watch neutered male cats closely for signs of straining during urination, or having to "go" frequently yet not producing. This can be a sign of a bladder infection or, worse, crystals that form in the urethra and can cause a blockage. This can be deadly, so don't hesitate.
Hearing and eyesight may begin to fail in an older cat, so steps should be taken to ensure the cat's safety. Cats may lose their eyesight due to glaucoma or cataracts. Cats usually adjust quite well to blindness. There are precautions you must take, however. Sharp objects should be removed and access to high places should be secured or blocked off. Do not move things around; a blind cat will become familiar with the placement of things and may become confused if things are placed differently. Before touching or handling a blind cat, let your approach be known by speaking to the cat softly beforehand.
Older cats may also lose their hearing, and you may notice a lack of normal responses because of this. Be sure to announce your approach to a hearing-impaired cat by touching the cat gently or letting the cat see you coming.
Signs of Old Age
As with humans, a cat's body goes through physiological changes as she ages. Here are some things to watch for:
As their metabolism slows, older cats become more susceptible to disease and are less able to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, it's important to keep your geriatric cat warmer. Older cats tend to have metabolism changes that may lead the cat to eat more or less than before. Often older cats, although their appetite may not change, will lose weight. This is normal, but it is important to watch for signs of excessive weight loss, which can indicate a medical problem. Your older cat may become thin if she does not get enough protein in her diet.
Ever wonder how old your cat really is? The old adage one year of a cat's life equls seven of a human's is inaccurate. Below is a generalization chart that compares a cat's age to a human's.
Cat's Age Human's Age
6 months 10 years
8 months 13 years
1 year 15 years
2 years 24 years
4 years 32 years
6 years 40 years
8 years 48 years
10 years 56 years
12 years 64 years
14 years 72 years
16 years 80 years
18 years 88 years
20 years 96 years
21 years 100 years
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