Many of us have experienced the stress of an older cat suddenly becoming seriously ill. When an illness appears unexpectedly, the situation can be overwhelming. But here’s the hard truth: Often, that illness didn’t develop overnight—it may have been building for some time without obvious signs. This reminds me of Ernest Hemingway’s famous quote about how people become bankrupt: “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” Often, illness in senior cats follows a similar pattern—subtle at first, then suddenly more obvious. We know cats are notorious for hiding signs of illness and they aren’t going to talk to us – so what can we do about it?
For one, we should recognize what normal aging changes look like in a senior cat. Secondly, we know changes are likely to be subtle early in the course of disease. Finally, we can work in partnership with our veterinarian to identify disease early, when treatment options are much more rewarding.
Normal and Abnormal Aging
One of the most common aging changes in senior cats is arthritis, affecting over 90% of older cats. It’s easy to assume that a decrease in activity—such as losing interest in play, sleeping more, or avoiding stairs—is simply a part of aging. However, these behaviors could actually signal joint pain. It is rare for a cat to actually limp or cry out with arthritis, so look for changes in your cat’s activity, sleep schedule, or preferences to indicate that they may be in pain. Sometimes, arthritic cats will have difficulty accessing litter boxes or food dishes. Keep this in mind when noting changes like appetite changes or inappropriate litter box habits. Older cats often experience coat changes due to difficulty grooming hard-to-reach areas. As a result, they may groom less frequently, leading to mats or dandruff.
To help your senior cat adjust to these changes, consider the following:
Provide ramps or stairs to make it easier for them to access favorite spots.
Ensure litter boxes are easily accessible, possibly by using low-entry boxes or relocating them.
Brush your cat more often to prevent matting and help with grooming.
Be mindful of their diet—avoid overfeeding, and offer enrichment through food puzzles and hunting games to keep their mind sharp and weight in check.
Regular Veterinary Visits and Lab Work
One of the most important aspects of senior cat care is ensuring they receive veterinary exams at least twice a year. These may need to be more frequent if your cat has a known medical condition. Veterinary teams are experts in detecting diseases early. Some common examples are below:
Heart Disease. Often, when heart disease is obvious at home, it is in a dire emergency. During routine senior exams, your veterinarian can detect irregularities like murmurs or abnormal rhythms that often indicate heart disease or other problems like an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure are developing, long before congestive heart failure or other serious complications develop.
Dental Disease. Cats are incredibly adept at hiding their dental disease until it is quite severe because of the strong desire to appear “normal” as a prey animal (yes, they hunt, but there are lots of things that will eat them too!). Though, the reality is that many of us will still eat with tooth pain because we need to survive. Like heart disease, when dental disease is obvious it is likely very severe, like abscesses or tooth loss. Chronic inflammation — of any kind — has been shown to be a huge risk factor for the development of many diseases in people. This is probably true for our pets too – in a large study, cats with good dental health lived significantly longer than cats with poor dental health, and were also less likely to develop other problems! Your veterinary team is skilled in helping senior cats receive safe, professional dental cleanings and treatment.
Metabolic Diseases. In addition to physical exams, regular diagnostic testing is a vital component of senior cat health care. Take it from my example – though my cats are constantly examined by me (to their occasional annoyance), they routinely get lab work performed. Many common age-related diseases—such as kidney disease, diabetes, or thyroid issues—don’t show clear signs until they’re more advanced. Routine testing helps detect problems, like kidney disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism early, long before symptoms appear. With many diseases, early intervention can literally be the difference between days or years with our beloved cats. Not to mention, it benefits the bank account when the solution is medications or diet changes instead of hospitalization.
So what can I do?
The good news is that you have the power to help your senior cat thrive. Watch for subtle changes in behavior, address arthritis early, and collaborate with your veterinarian to catch health issues before they become serious. With the right care, your cat can stay comfortable and healthy into their golden years.
Ken Brunson DVM, Board Member