There are now more pet cats than dogs in the North America. Improved nutrition, prevention of infectious disease and advances in veterinary medical care have resulted in pets living longer and healthier lives. In North America, over the last ten years there has been a increase in cats over ten years of age and the proportion of the feline population aged fifteen years or older has increased. 

Why should we treat old cats differently to young cats?

With advancing age body functions change. 

As cats age, all of their body systems are affected: 

Reduction in exercise may result in reduced muscle tone, which may further reduce the cat’s ability to jump, climb or exercise.

With reduced activity older individuals lacking exercise can result in a fall in energy. If a cat maintains a good appetite, its daily food intake must be reduced to prevent excessive weight gain. 

With advancing age, any medication must be given carefully.

Changes in physiology not only affect food and nutrient absorption, they also affect the way many drugs are processed. Liver and kidney disease occur commonly in older cats. When coupled with mild dehydration, these can result in reduced drug clearance rates and marked elevations in drug concentrations circulating within the blood. When treating patients, the dosing intervals of some drugs may need to be altered.

What diseases do senior cats commonly get?

The major  health risks seen in older cats are:

Obesity,  Hormonal disorders,  Kidney and liver disease, Cancer, FIV,  Heart disease

While it is true to say that "old age is not a disease", it does call for special attention. This is important so that if your cat develops disease, we can recognize and treat it as early as possible, thereby maintaining its quality of life for as long as possible. 

What can I do to make my senior cat as happy as possible?

Most cats age gracefully, However since older cats do not generally respond well to change, it is important that any changes are introduced slowly.

Elderly cats should have easy access to a warm bed, situated where the cat can sleep safely without fear of disturbance.

It is strongly recommended that you feed your older cat a premium brand senior diet. They should always have easy access to fresh drinking water. As cats age, some will experience a reduced ability to control urination and defecation. Add a few extra litter boxes to there environment.