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Senior Cat Care

Thanks to the advancements in veterinary medicine, cats are living longer than ever.

Grey senior tabby cat is sleeping on top of a park table bench.
Grey senior tabby cat is sleeping on top of a park table bench.

Overview

However with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the variety of conditions and diseases that they are susceptible to including osteoarthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, cancer and diabetes. And because cats age faster than we do, health problems can progress much more rapidly. We pay special attention to your senior cat's comfort level and address any concerns about pain.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps cat owners can take to keep their cats healthy. Memorial Cat Hospital recommends that healthy senior cats (age 7+) visit the veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing.

Your senior cat's wellness exam should include the following:

  • Health Consultation

  • Physical Examination

  • Pain assessment

  • Oral Exam

  • Nutritional Counseling

  • Diagnostic Tests

  • Intestinal Parasite Test

  • Overall Wellness Recommendation

  • Vaccinations (if necessary)

  • Blood Work

A visit to your veterinarian is imperative if you notice any of the following:

  • Changes in mobility: difficulty getting up from a down position, trouble with stairs, limping, decrease in ability to jump on furniture or jump into the car, decrease in play activity

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Excessive drinking and/or urination

  • Loss of appetite or lethargy

  • Behavior changes

  • Diarrhea or vomiting

  • Skin lumps, bumps or irritation

  • Bad breath, plaque on teeth or bleeding gums

  • Ear odors, redness, scratching or head shaking

  • Unexplained weight gain

Click below for more information on life stage care for your cat.

Age chart that compares cats to humans >>