As your cat ages, they have different needs and you may notice behaviour changes or mobility problems. Our veterinarians are here to help your cat age gracefully. If you have concerns or questions about your senior cat contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital to make an appointment with one of our veterinarians. Remember cats age 7 years per 1 human year which can result in a lot of medical changes in a short period of time.
What are the stages of a senior cat’s life? How to spot signs of ageing?
Your cat is considered a senior when they are over the age of 7 years. Signs of ageing can include simple things like not wanting to jump up on your bed, having trouble with stairs, urinating outside of their litter box, and limping caused by arthritis. Quite often cats are in pain and will not show any signs until it has progressed. Signs of ageing can range from cat to cat. Wellness exams performed by one of our veterinarians are key to finding changes in your senior cat. Contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital today to make an appointment for your senior cat.
My senior cat is losing weight, what can I do?
Senior cats can lose weight due to age, loss of muscle mass, or an illness. When your cat has a yearly wellness exam your veterinarian will assess your cat’s weight and Body Condition Score (BCS). A BCS is a scale to determine your cat’s ideal weight and is measured from 1-9. As your cat ages, their nutritional needs change. A senior diet is recommended to give your cat the nutrition they require. Contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital to learn more about weight loss in your senior cat.
How can I care for my senior cat?
Yearly wellness exams for your senior cat are extremely important and key to detecting and managing problems. Our veterinarians will examine your cat from nose to tail and will recommend senior blood work to check organ functions, electrolytes, white blood cells, red blood cells, and thyroid levels. This provides a lot of valuable information for our veterinarians and can help detect diseases in the early stages. Regular exercise combined with a joint supplement is always a good idea for your senior cat and proper nutrition is also vital for ageing cats. Senior diets are formulated to help keep muscles strong, support organ function, and have appropriate levels of omega 3’s & 6’s to keep your cat’s skin and joints in top shape. If you have questions about caring for your senior cat please contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital.
What are some common health issues?
As your cat ages, some common health issues you may notice are arthritis, a decrease in vision and hearing and litter box troubles. There are multiple diseases that often show subtle signs in the early stages, for example, diabetes, kidney disease, and thyroid problems. If you have any questions regarding your senior cat, please contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital. We take pride in helping your senior cat age gracefully.
Why is my senior cat having behavioural issues?
Senior cats can have behaviour changes because they may not be able to see or hear very clearly. Your senior cat may be stiff and sore and get agitated or aggressive just because they aren’t feeling well. If you have noticed behaviour changes in your senior cat contact Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital.