Typically, once pets are 7 years old or older, they’re considered seniors. And as your pet ages, you may start noticing some lifestyle or behavior changes that could signal a problem or need attention. If you notice any of these signs in your pet, give your veterinarian a call.

  • Gaining or losing weight; decreased grooming
  • Changes in appetite, such as eating more or less than usual
  • Lumps or changes in areas of skin color
  • Increased urination; loss of bladder control or noncompliance with house training; unusual bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
  • Excessive panting or exercise intolerance
  • Increased thirst; repeated vomiting; bad breath or drooling
  • Reluctance to jump, walk up stairs or rise from the floor
  • Changes in behavior, such as disorientation or excessive vocalization; avoiding human interaction or hiding

Fuzzle – 22 years old

Gray – 20 years old

Check out more information in our Senior Cat Blog Series.

The Senior Cat, Part 1 – Age is not a disease
Too often I hear people comment that their cat is [insert symptom or condition here] because it is old, and old cats just “get that way.” While it is true that many disease processes are more likely to occur in an older cat, the cat’s age is not a prerequisite for disease. Younger cats can also develop kidney disease, arthritis, and other diseases commonly associated with old age.
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