As cats age, their bodies change. They may encounter slight changes or develop serious cat illness or disease. Caring for senior cats can involve special care for age-related changes and medical conditions. Aging causes normal, gradual physical changes. Dehydration is a concern for older cats because they become less sensitive to the thirst drive as they age. Cats may become more sensitive to heat or cold because aging decreases their ability to regulate their body temperatures.

A slight loss of acuity of their senses is a normal aging process. The sight and hearing of older cats is often not as good as younger cats. Any blindness or drastic changes should be reported to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Drastic changes in the senses can be a sign of disease.

Infection and certain cat diseases can be partially caused by the advanced age of the cats. Senior cats may develop inflammation of the joints which is known as arthritis. Arthritis can be a painful condition which may require veterinary treatment and may be treated with pain relief medication, diet, and exercise.

Older cats often develop changes in their mouths. Common problems that affect the cat’s mouth are mouth ulcers, dental disease, and tooth loss.

Another concern for senior cats is cancer. The growth of bumps or the presence of sores that will not heal our signs of cat cancer. Any signs of cancer need to be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Advanced age calls for some changes in the cat care. As a cat becomes less active with age, the cat may require a diet that is lower in calories to prevent the cat from gaining weight.

Senior cats need to be taken to the veterinarian more frequently for regular checkups. This is important because it allows the veterinarian to screen for age-related cat diseases.

Because senior cats become less active, cat owners should initiate play frequently. Many senior cat owners do not realize that active play is essential for senior cats to retain muscle strength and to get exercise that can benefit several cat health conditions like arthritis.

Moses Wright has been a pet lover since young. He started this site to provide pet lovers with free pet advices and tips on homemade pet food.