Black cats may get gray hair, and nearly all cats experience some thinning of coat and loss of luster as they age. Also, aging cats experience a general thinning of the skin as they get older, as well as brittle nails and general thickening of the footpads.
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.
Some cats begin showing age-related physical signs as early as age seven, while others are still friskier than kittens at ten. A general rule of thumb is that a cat is classified as "senior" if she's over 11 years of age.
Older cats may vocalize excessively for a number of reasons, including disorientation, loss of hearing and pain due to one or more medical conditions. (Please see our article, Meowing and Yowling, for more information about excessive vocalizing and how to resolve it.)
The oldest cat in recorded history is a cat named Crème Puff who passed away in 2005 at the age of 38 years and 3 days. A cat's average lifespan is 12 – 14 years – but many cats live much longer. Indoor, neutered cats live much longer than outdoor cats.
It's likely that they will sleep for longer, and have reduced stress tolerance, which means you should try not to disturb them. This is normal. Although your cat may be less playful, a healthy cat should still be able to play and jump, although there will be reduced height to the jump.
Your cat may be a senior citizen now, but these days, cats live longer and healthier lives, thanks to great pet owners like you, good nutrition and quality veterinary care. Some cats even live into their 20s!
The average lifespan for a pet cat is probably around 13 to 14 years. However, although their lifespan varies, a well cared for cat may commonly live to 15 or beyond, some make it to 18 or 20 and a few extraordinary felines even pass 25 or 30 years of age.
According to PetMD, most cats live 13-17 years, but this isn't set in stone. The length of your pet's life depends on a number of factors, including healthcare, diet, and environment. According to the Blue Cross, domestic cats can live up to 20 years if they are well taken care of.
As they age, kittens turn into our steady and aloof companions; they are calming fixtures in our lives. With modern medicine advancing, cats are living longer. Once they age, many people describe cats' personalities as irritable, moody or just plain grumpy.
Senior cats need some extra attention. Here are a few tips to make your senior cat comfortable and happy. Place resources (food, water, litter boxes, bedding) in multiple locations where your cat can easily access them. If your cat is having trouble jumping to favorite high surfaces, add steps or ramps for access.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in senior cats. Cancer is really a blanket term for uncontrolled cell growth, which means there are many different forms this can take – many different kinds of cancer that can attack your pet.
However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, they might be showing you they need a friend: Clinginess/following you around. Excessive vocalization. Change in grooming habits (over or under grooming)
Cats can also become more affectionate due to their brains aging. As they begin to lose sight or hearing ability, they can become more confused and prone to disorientation, which in turn can make them feel more anxious and become clingier as a result.
Just like when they were kittens, older cats tend to sleep as much as 20 hours a day. If your senior cat's sleep patterns are starting to change, look first to their home environment, before getting concerned. Especially as they age, cats need warm and comfortable places to sleep.
Cats are family-oriented and usually live with their relatives. Cats will sleep together, share common feeding areas, and groom one another within family groups. For this reason, cats often do well adopted in pairs.
Some cats die peacefully in their sleep, but for others the final step is not so easy. Consider whether you want your cat to have a "natural" death or to opt for euthanasia.
Your cat may become more clingy as he ages, wanting to be with you every moment of the day or night. If your cat has lost some of his sensory perception, being with his human companion may be a stabilizing influence in his daily life.
In cats, the most common cause of sudden death is heart disease, more specifically, cardiomyopathy. This disease is typically hereditary and develops early in life but can be secondary to other diseases later in life. Often times this is not detected until after death, on necropsy.
Signs Of Obvious Distress
Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong.
Cats tend to favor one person over others even if they were well-socialized as kittens. Cats are expert communicators and gravitate towards people that they communicate well with. Look for communication cues from your cat, such as your cat approaching you in search of food or petting.
Cats are juniors until the age of 2, and like human children, may start to show a different temperament between 6 months and 2 years old, even progressing from the (sometimes) defiant 'Terrible Two's' to becoming a stroppy teenager!
Yes, cats go through a naughty, challenging, teenage phase too! From the age of around 7 months to 2 years of age, cats go through the feline equivalent of our human teenage years.