Caring for your senior cat
Cats hide illness well, and several common older-cat diseases — kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis — develop quietly. Cats are generally considered senior from around 10 years. Routine exams with bloodwork, a urine test and blood-pressure checks catch these early, often before your cat looks unwell. Unintended weight loss is a clue, not a success.
- Cats are commonly considered senior from about 10 years of age.
- Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, dental disease and diabetes are common and often quiet.
- Bloodwork (including thyroid), urine testing and blood pressure help catch disease early.
- Weight loss, increased thirst, or a cat that stops jumping deserve a vet visit — don't wait.
When is a cat 'senior'?
Under the AAHA/AAFP life-stage framework, cats are generally considered mature adult from about 7–10 years and senior from around 10, though individuals vary. Indoor cats often live well into their teens, so the senior years can be a large share of a cat's life — which makes preventive care worthwhile.
The quiet signs that matter
Cats mask illness, so changes can be subtle: weight loss or muscle wasting, drinking or urinating more, eating less (or, in hyperthyroidism, more while still losing weight), a poorer coat from reduced grooming, reluctance to jump (often arthritis, which is very under-recognised in cats), litter-box changes, night-time yowling, or altered interaction. Because these creep in slowly, they're easy to write off as 'just ageing' — but each is worth a check.
Common diseases in older cats
The AAFP highlights several conditions that become more common with age: chronic kidney disease (often signalled by increased thirst and urination, weight loss and poor coat), hyperthyroidism (weight loss despite a good or increased appetite, restlessness), arthritis (reduced jumping and activity), dental disease, diabetes, high blood pressure (often secondary to kidney or thyroid disease), and cognitive decline. Many are very manageable when found early — which is the whole point of screening.
Screening and check-ups
For older cats, veterinary guidance supports regular exams (often twice yearly from around 10) with a minimum database: bloodwork including kidney values and a total T4 (thyroid) where indicated, urinalysis, and blood-pressure measurement. Screening trends over time can reveal disease before your cat looks ill. This page doesn't interpret lab numbers — that's your vet's job — but knowing these tests exist helps you ask for them.
Home comfort for an older cat
Make life easier: provide low-sided litter trays and easy-access resting spots, ramps or steps to favourite perches, warm, soft bedding, and encourage hydration with wet food, extra water bowls or a fountain (helpful for kidney health). Keep food and water away from noisy appliances, and keep up gentle play. Continue parasite prevention as your vet advises.
Heat makes hydration even more important for older cats, who are prone to kidney issues — wet food and multiple water sources help. As with dogs, ask your clinic what senior feline screening (bloodwork, urine test, blood pressure) they offer, and keep parasite control going year-round in warm conditions.
Helpful habits — and what to avoid
Do
- Weigh your cat regularly and report any downward trend.
- Book twice-yearly checks from around age 10, with bloodwork and urine testing as advised.
- Boost water intake with wet food, extra bowls or a fountain.
- Make the home accessible: low litter trays, ramps, warm bedding.
- Watch grooming, jumping and litter-box habits for subtle change.
Don't
- Assume weight loss is normal ageing — it's a clinical clue that needs a vet.
- Put a senior cat on a home 'diet' for weight loss without veterinary advice.
- Ignore increased thirst or urination — these can signal kidney or thyroid disease or diabetes.
- Give human medicines; many (including paracetamol) are highly toxic to cats.
- Skip dental care — mouth pain quietly stops cats eating.
Red flags in an older cat
These quiet changes are common reasons an older cat needs to be seen.
- Unintended weight loss or muscle wasting
- Drinking or urinating noticeably more than usual
- Eating less — or eating well but still losing weight
- Reduced jumping, hiding, or new night-time yowling
- A yellow tinge to the gums or eyes, or a cat that stops eating (see our not-eating guide)
Frequently asked questions
At what age is my cat a senior?
Commonly around 10 years, with 7–10 considered mature adult. Individuals vary, and many cats live well into their teens, so senior care spans several years.
My senior cat is losing weight but eating well — what could that mean?
Eating well while losing weight is a classic reason to check for hyperthyroidism, among other conditions. It's not normal ageing — see your vet for bloodwork including a thyroid test.
Why does my old cat drink so much water now?
Increased thirst and urination can signal kidney disease, diabetes or hyperthyroidism. It's an important early sign worth investigating with bloodwork and a urine test.
My cat has stopped jumping onto the sofa — is that just age?
Often it's arthritis, which is very common and under-diagnosed in cats because they hide pain. A vet can assess and help with comfort rather than you assuming it's unavoidable.
How often should a senior cat have blood tests?
Many feline guidelines suggest twice-yearly exams from around 10 with screening bloodwork, a urine test and blood pressure. Your vet will tailor the frequency to your cat.
Sources
- SourceAAFP — 2021 Feline Senior Care Guidelines. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- SourceAAHA/AAFP — 2021 Feline Life Stage Guidelines. aaha.org