When do cats start acting old

However, any alteration in your cat's behavior or physical condition should alert you to contact your veterinarian. Disease of virtually any organ system, or any condition that causes pain or impairs mobility can contribute to changes in behavior.

For example:. How can I help keep my senior cat healthy? Close observation is one of the most important tools you have to help keep your senior cat healthy. You may wish to perform a basic physical examination on a weekly basis. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it and what to look for. You will find it easier if you just make the examination an extension of the way you normally interact with your cat.

For example, while you are rubbing your cat's head or scratching its chin, gently raise the upper lips with your thumb or forefinger so you can examine the teeth and gums. In the same way, you can lift the ear flaps and examine the ear canals. While you are stroking your cat's fur, you can check for abnormal lumps or bumps, and evaluate the health of the skin and coat.

Daily Brushing Daily brushing or combing removes loose hairs, preventing them from being swallowed and forming hairballs. Brushing also stimulates blood circulation and sebaceous gland secretions, resulting in a healthier skin and coat. Older cats may not use scratching posts as frequently as they did when they were younger; therefore, nails should be checked weekly and trimmed if necessary.

Daily Tooth Brushing Brushing your cat's teeth with a pet-specific toothpaste or powser is the single most effective way to prevent dental disease. Dental disease is more common in older cats and can lead to other health problems, so maintaining oral health is important. Most cats will allow their teeth to be brushed, although it may be necessary to gradually introduce your cat to tooth brushing over several weeks to months.

Watch this video for instructions on how to brush your cat's teeth. Proper Nutrition Many cats get heavier or even obese as they age. If your cat is overweight, you should ask your veterinarian to help you modify the diet so that a normal body condition can be restored. Other cats actually become too thin as they get older. Weight loss can be caused by a variety of medical problems such as kidney failure, and special diets may be helpful in managing these problems. Reducing Stress Reducing environmental stress whenever possible is very important since older cats are usually less adaptable to change.

Special provisions should be made for older cats that must be boarded for a period of time. Having a familiar object, such as a blanket or toy, may prevent the cat from becoming too distraught in a strange environment. A better alternative is to have the older cat cared for at home by a neighbor, friend, or relative. Introducing a new pet may be a traumatic experience for older cats, and should be avoided whenever possible. Moving to a new home can be equally stressful, however, stress can be alleviated by giving the older cat more affection and attention during times of emotional upheaval.

Cats are experts at hiding illness, and elderly cats are no exception. It is common for a cat to have a serious medical problem, yet not show any sign of it until the condition is quite advanced. Since most diseases can be managed more successfully when detected and treated early in their course, it is important for owners of senior cats to carefully monitor their behavior and health. As your kitten transitions into adulthood, it is important to keep up with her changing needs.

In addition to her slower growth rate, her nutritional requirements depend on certain lifestyle factors. Among others, these may include decreased physical activity depending on whether your cat has access to the outdoors or not, whether she is neutered, and if she rules the roost or has to share her home with another cat or dog, which tends to keep her more stimulated than if she is on her own.

For instance, as one might expect, a young adult cat with access to the outdoors and who sometimes plays with another household pet is likely to have higher calorie requirements than that of a lone indoor cat with a more sedentary lifestyle.

With her small stomach capacity, your hungry kitten not only requires multiple daily food portions, sometimes up to 18 meals per day and night to get her fill if she was free in nature, she also needs food that is high in protein, fat and balanced in minerals in order to meet her energy requirements.

After all, reaching your adult size takes some eating! In addition, as you well know, kittens have a lot of energy! With all that intense playing, roughhousing and growing going on, it is especially important for your feline friend to get high quality, nutritionally complete and balanced food. This will provide a healthy foundation for the rest of her life. Consequently, it is generally recommended to give your companion specially formulated kitten food until her first year.

When your kitten has reached the age of 6 months, with sexual maturity fast approaching, this is sometimes considered the best time to consider neutering. For health reasons, many veterinarians often recommend early neutering when your kitten is between 4 and 6 months old. There is a chance she may also be more inclined to beg for food in an attempt to satisfy her new found hunger. Hence, it is crucial to pay close attention to her body weight throughout this potentially tricky 18 week period following neutering and to closely monitor her food intake.

Decreasing interest of play is often normal in senior cats. However, if the change in behaviour is very sudden or dramatic, consult a vet to check that nothing else is wrong. However, if your senior cat is particularly off their food, it may be a sign that age-related changes are affecting their appetite.

Lack of interest in food may be down to a number of common dental conditions which make eating uncomfortable, or it may be that they are feeling ill. On the other hand, your senior cat may have an increased appetite or increased thirst. Sometimes this can be down to a condition such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism; again, a vet will be able to investigate.

If your elderly cat has become more aggressive towards you or other animals, there may be an underlying age-related cause. If they have become very set in their ways, they may have less patience for changes to their routine or usurpers in the house. On the other hand, their aggression could also be caused by them feeling ill; if you think something might be wrong, take them to see a vet. Caring for old cats can at times be worrying and very stressful.

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