When are cats considered senior

Cats age at various rates depending on their health and environment. Below is a general guideline of the stages of aging and what is typically found in those stages.

There are six stages of aging:

1. Kitten (birth until typically 6-7 months of age)
   During the kitten stage, your cat will go through more physical and mental changes than at any other point in his life. With so much happening so quickly, it is important to focus on these things to ensure you have a well-balanced, friendly and confident adult cat:
   • Nutrition Kittens have special dietary needs. Feeding high-quality nutrient-rich kitten food is recommended to help them grow into healthy adults. Kittens can be finicky so it is recommended different textures of food be used if they stop eating a food type they previously enjoyed.
   • Socialization Exposing your kitten to different people and situations is necessary for them to grow into well-balanced adults and set a behavioral foundation. Desensitization to cars, vet exams and handling will prevent these situations from causing major stress in the future. Kittens often play rough and it is recommended to adopt them in pairs as their rough play can be too much for adult cats, dogs and humans.
   • Litterbox Kittens should be trained to use a litterbox.
2. Junior (reproductively mature but still growing, typically until 1-2 years old)
   Just like with humans, adolescence, or the junior stage, can be a challenging time for cats Cats reach full size and have learned about life and how to survive in their environment. Many cats in the junior stage will experience:
   • Wandering Junior cats who are not spayed/neutered have a tendency to wander as they search for a mate. Ideally, a cat is spayed or neutered as a kitten, but ensuring your cat is spayed/neutered by this stage will help prevent him from running away.
   • Litterbox Now that the cat is full grown, it is important to ensure the litterbox is the appropriate size and being used properly. Any issues with proper use of the litterbox should be addressed immediately to prevent ongoing issues in the future.
3. Adult or Prime (3-6 years old)
   Adult cats have established their basic temperament and personality. They don’t require as much time and supervision as a kitten. Still, there are a couple important considerations for an adult cat:
   • Behavior and activities Your cat will not be quite as active as when he was a kitten, but he still needs enrichment in the form of regular exercise, mental stimulation and socialization.
   • Medical needs Adult cats benefit from yearly veterinary visits. Special attention to proper weight and dental hygiene is needed to prevent problems as they age.
4. Mature (7-10 years old)
   Cats in the mature stage are the human equivalent of 40-50 years old. Mature cats tend to be less active than adult cats. They may need special considerations based on physical issues. Yearly veterinary exams will help identify arthritis, weight or dental issues, which are more common in mature cats.
5. Senior (11-14 years old)
   In their golden years, cats often sleep more, eat less and are not as active. Pay attention to these special considerations:
   • Medical needs Lab work is typically done at the yearly veterinary visit. It will help the vet identify any underlying issues and maintain a baseline for your pet’s health.
   • Diet Senior cats need fewer calories and less fat. Discuss dietary changes with your veterinarian.
   • Activity Senior pets may need help getting around, especially accessing litterboxes so the height of the box may need to be adjusted. Challenges with sight and hearing are not uncommon.
6. Geriatric (15 years and beyond)
   Geriatric cats inevitably encounter medical issues. Veterinary exams two times a year are recommended at this stage. Keeping your pet as comfortable and healthy as possible is of upmost importance. While the geriatric stage can last years, be prepared to make difficult decisions about when it is time to say goodbye. Giving your pet the best care also means recognizing when he is suffering and putting his needs above your own to end that suffering.

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Greencross Vets recommends that healthy older cats be examined by a veterinarian at least twice a year. Pets age much faster than we do, and six months for a senior cat is similar to three years for us, which is a significant amount of time for health problems to creep up. Talk to your local Greencross Vet for more details. In addition to regular health checks, there are many things you can do at home to ensure your cat’s wellbeing.

Care at home

Making small adjustments to your pet’s home environment can assist them as they start to show signs of ageing. Things to consider when living with a senior feline could include:

• Providing easy access to food and water
• Keeping them cool in summer and warm in winter
• Comfortable supportive bedding that is easy to get in and out of
• Regular grooming to avoid matted hair and knots

Nutrition

As our cats age, you may notice they become less active and start spending more time indoors. Their metabolism also changes, making it harder for them to digest higher levels of protein and fat found in kitten and adult cat diets. Transitioning your cat onto a premium senior diet once they turn seven will be beneficial for managing their overall health. Diets that are designed for senior cats may also have special nutrients to support joint health and kidney health. Chat to your vet about choosing the right diet for your cat.

Dental care

One of the easiest ways to care for your cat’s teeth is providing a varied diet that promotes chewing and gentle abrasion on the teeth. There are senior dry foods that are especially formulated for oral hygiene. Of course, the best thing to ensure your cats teeth are clean is regular check-ups with your vet. Your vet can examine their mouth, gums and teeth and provide a tailored plan for your cat’s dental health. If you’ve ever had a toothache you know how painful a sore tooth can be. Cats can’t tell us when it hurts. If your cat avoids hard kibble or seems off their food, book a dental check up today.

Frequent health check-ups

Taking your cat to the vet for twice yearly check-ups will help to detect problems earlier, resulting in a happier and healthier feline friend. Book a health check up today at your local Greencross Vets clinic.

What your Greencross Vet will monitor in your senior cat’s examination:

• Joints and arthritis
• Eyes and ears
• Teeth and gums
• Skin, coat and lymph nodes
• Urine and faeces
• Blood pressure
• Weight and body condition score
• Heart and lungs
• Abdomen check

When your favorite feline friend is aging, give some extra TLC.

"Growing older is not a disease," he emphasizes. "While it's true that senior cats are more likely to get different conditions, some older cats are perfectly normal and don't change at all."

Older cats tend to be less active and playful, they may sleep more, gain or lose weight, and have trouble reaching their favorite places. Don't chalk up health or behavior changes - often gradual - to old age, however. Such changes can be signs of common diseases or dental problems that should be addressed by your veterinarian.

Making sure older cats have easy access to the things they enjoy and/or need is critical, says Emily Levine, DVM, animal behavior resident of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. "We remember to give them medications, but we tend to forget about addressing food, water and litter box issues," she says.

Indeed, many cat owners don't realize the practical things they can do for their aging cats. To help your older cat enjoy her golden years, consider these simple suggestions.

See the vet. Schedule regular veterinary exams to enhance your older cat's well-being. "Six-month checkups for geriatric cats are great," Dr. Goldstein notes. "For healthy cats, a yearly geriatric exam - including blood work and X-rays - along with a smaller exam in between, is ideal," he recommends.

Think warm. Cats like to seek out warm places to rest. Make sure your older cat's favorite soft bed or resting place is not in a drafty area of your home. Too much heat, though, can potentially burn a cat who can't move quickly, so be sure to think warm, not hot.

Provide easy access to basic needs. As cats age they are more prone to getting arthritis and may have reduced control over their bowels and bladder, Dr. Levine says. It's a good idea to install litter boxes on every floor to make them easy to reach. In addition, some older cats may climb into a normal litter box to urinate but not to defecate. To help solve this problem, use a litter box with very low sides (try a large cookie sheet) or place newspaper around the litter box, she advises. "Older cats should have easy access to food, water, and litter boxes, so if they choose not to climb stairs they don't have to," she adds. This may mean placing food and water bowls in more than one place as well.

Help him get there. If your older cat can no longer jump on his favorite windowsill, create box steps, ramps, or purchase pet stairs that allow him to safely reach a special spot on his own. This also works for a cat that wants to reach a favorite chair or sofa. The idea is to provide firm footing; for example, cover steps or a ramp with carpet to prevent slipping.

Gently groom. Older cats can benefit from more frequent hands-on help if their self-grooming begins to wane. (Be aware that a sudden lack of grooming may signal a health problem.) This is particularly crucial for longhaired cats who become uncomfortably matted. Gently brushing or combing removes loose hairs and stimulates circulation and sebaceous gland secretions, returning luster to the coat.

Turn on a light. Nightlights help older cats with poor vision or eyesight problems navigate at night. If your cat is blind, try to keep your cat's environment as stationary and consistent as possible, including litter boxes and furniture, Dr. Levine recommends. To avoid disorienting or startling a blind cat, do not pick him up unless necessary and call his name before approaching him.

Give a deaf cat a point of view. You should approach a cat with hearing problems from the front rather than behind to avoid startling or scaring him. Keep him safely inside your home to protect him from cars and predators.

Keep her kitten-free and playful. "I do not recommend getting a young kitten to rejuvenate your older cat - a rambunctious kitten climbing all over your cat may be more detrimental than helpful, and people have a tendency to focus on the young cat and ignore the older one," Dr. Levine says. Instead, find gentle ways to encourage your older cat to play with you, she suggests. Try waving a wand, going for a walk with your cat inside your home, and playing chase the kibble, one piece at a time.

Don't forget the basics. Fresh water and good food are vital to cats of any age, but may be particularly important for older cats. Your veterinarian can offer advice on choosing a diet that provides appropriate nutrition and the right amount of calories for your aging cat. "It's especially important that senior cats have easy access to clean water because kidney function frequently deteriorates in older cats," Dr. Goldstein says. "Consider mixing canned and dry food to let your cat absorb the water canned food offers," he suggests.

"Older cats enjoy spending time with their human family members, Dr. Levine concludes. "It is important to give them the extra tender loving care that they'll need for many years to come."