Aging cats may have behavior changes like forgetting where you put their litter box, being less active, or acting more aggressive. If your older cat starts acting differently, it might be a sign of an aging problem such as feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD).
Loss of appetite, weight loss, and poor coat condition are all common signs of illness in cats, as well as difficulty breathing or laboured breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, make sure you take them to the vet immediately for assessment and treatment.
A change in behaviour implies something's not quite right. The stress of moving home, a new baby, or being left alone for long periods of time can all trigger antisocial behaviour. If those things have been ruled out you may need to arrange a visit to the vet, especially if your cat is growling or biting when touched.
Behavior Changes
Aging involves some inevitable slowdowns. Not only will your cat sleep more and become less active, he may become irritable, cranky and more easily disturbed. Playful children just may tick him off! So watch those young kids around your elderly cat and remind them to approach quietly.
In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards.
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.
Not being able to pee, vomiting that won't stop, being unresponsive, seizures, and labored breathing are all emergencies, and you should seek veterinary care immediately. If you notice any other change in your cat's usual behavior or any of the signs discussed, call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment.
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.
Your cat could be meowing excessively because they are hungry, afraid, sick, or when they need your attention and love. There are different meow sounds that cats make at certain times. If your cat is meowing non-stop, it can be very challenging for you to figure out the issue.
The average cat lifespan is between 13-17 years. Some lucky felines have been known to live 20 years or more—the world record holder for oldest cat on record, adorably named Creme Puff, lived to be a whopping 38 years old.
You'll be the proud owner of a senior cat by the time it hit about 11 years old. If a cat lives beyond 15 years of age, it'd be a "super-senior". When caring for older cats, it sometimes helps to think of their age in human terms.
Signs of Sundowning
Disorientation means your pet wanders aimlessly, acts lost and confused, may not recognize family members or other familiar people and places, and gets "stuck" in corners or lost in the house.
They may eat less, groom themselves less, and behave differently than normal. Some cats may become irritable and growl or hiss when interacting with other animals or humans. They may also seem anxious or restless.
Behaviour signs of a cat in pain
Lethargy. Decreased interest in positive things like playing, social interaction and exploring outside. Being withdrawn and hiding away. Appearing lame and experiencing increased sensitivity to touch in specific areas of their body.
If you notice any changes in your cat's eating and drinking habits, be sure to alert your veterinarian. This could be a sign of pain or various other serious medical issues including kidney disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism.
Vocalizing. You'll learn a lot when you can interpret your cat's wide vocabulary of chirps and meows. They'll tell you when they're hungry, when they're feeling affectionate and if they're feeling threatened or in pain. While some cats rarely make a peep, others won't let you get a word in edgewise.
Hissing. Hissing often sounds aggressive or frightening, so it's no surprise that this is the cat noise that is elicited when your pet feels threatened, angry or is in pain. Cats most often hiss at other animals.
Your cat constantly walking around can be due to boredom, stress, anxiety, hormones, old age, hyperthyroidism, and a variety of other health conditions. If you notice your cat constantly walking around, bring them to the vet as soon as possible so they can figure out what's wrong.
Stomach and digestive illness such as bacterial infections, viruses, and inflammation disorders can all cause a cat to stop eating. If these illnesses are not very serious, however, your cat may not show other signs and may continue acting normally despite being sick.
Illness or injuries can often lead to sadness and depression. Pain, nausea, hormonal imbalances, or lack of energy accompanying illnesses can affect your cat's happiness level. If you suspect a health condition is behind your furry friend's sadness, you should visit your vet as soon as possible.
If your older cat starts acting differently, it might be a sign of an aging problem such as feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD). FCD affects over half of cats between the ages of 11 and 15, and as many as 85% of cats over age 16. It can cause problems with your cat's memory, awareness, and ability to learn new things.
The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg.
Physical and Mental Development
She has definitely slowed down physically (relative to her prime adult years) and may have developed a number of health problems. She has probably started to slow down cognitively as well. She may not respond as quickly to stimulation and is likely becoming more forgetful and confused.