When is your cat a senior cat?

Cats are living longer than ever, with lifespans now extending up to 18 months beyond previous averages (1). "It's natural to worry about your cat as they age, but the old story of inevitable decline and loss of vitality is changing."
We now have the knowledge and tools to alter this path, moving their ageing process from a passive decline into a period of longer vitality, health and comfort. This “healthy ageing” is the new standard of care.
By catching the signs of ageing early and taking proactive steps, you can help your cat to age gracefully and enjoy a wonderful quality of life for years to come.

Redefining the Golden Years

Understanding Your Cat’s Secret Senior Life

Your cat’s age in human years

Just as with humans, the ageing process is an individual experience and different cats will show signs of ageing at different times. However, in general your cat’s body will start to show the first signs of ageing at a cellular level at seven years old – but you won’t be able to see any outward symptoms until your cat is about 12 years old. From this point on, the cells in their body are slowing down and their bodily functions are less effective, including their heart and immune system.

The veterinary classification of your cat’s age is:

• At seven to 10 years, your cat is mature
• At 11 to 14 years, it’s considered senior
• From 15 years upwards, it is classified as geriatric / super senior

To understand this in terms of human years, a 10-year-old cat would be the equivalent of a 56-year-old human. It’s not uncommon for cats to live up to 20 years – that’s the same as a 96-year-old human.

Partnering with your veterinarian as soon as your cat enters the Mature stage is the key to setting them on a path to healthy and happy ageing.

One of the most important ways you can impact your cat’s healthy ageing is to ensure they are receiving age-appropriate high-quality nutrition. A diet that supports healthy ageing will focus on providing nutrients that support vitality, energy, mobility, comfort and any specific health requirements your cat has

The signs of ageing in your cat

Although each individual cat will display signs of ageing differently, there are some common ageing processes which happen to every cat. Their smell, taste and hearing become less acute, which has an impact on their appetite. This can also be affected by dental issues, such as the teeth showing wear, gum disease or tooth loss. A combination of these problems can then lead to weight loss.

Their joints are less flexible, especially if affected by osteo-arthritis, which can result in severe pain and mobility issues. This inflexibility also affects their ability to groom themselves properly, which in turn has an impact on their coat and skin.

The coat itself may become whiter and you might see decline in its quality as the sebaceous glands – which produce nourishing oils for the skin – are less productive. The natural ability to produce an immune response tends to decrease with age, exposing the cat to more risks of infection and disease. Several metabolic processes like digestion are also altered as the ability to process fats and proteins decreases as the cat grows older.

Senior cats may exhibit altered behaviours including a lack of interaction or making noises at unsociable times. They may sleep more, but less deeply, which can interrupt their routine and cause behavioural issues.

Understanding Multiple Conditions in Senior Felines

As cats get older, it’s very common for them to have more than one health issue at the same time, even if you can’t see the signs. Two of the most common conditions in senior cats are arthritis and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Because cats hide their discomfort, these diseases are often advanced by the time they are diagnosed. This is why regular vet check-ups are so critical for early detection.

Arthritis: The Silent Epidemic of Discomfort

Did you know that up to 90% of cats over 12 show signs of arthritis on radiographs, but very few are treated for it? (2). It’s often missed because the early signs don’t look like what we’d expect.

Instead of limping, your cat might:

Hesitate before jumping up or down from furniture or use creative alternate paths (for example jumping on a chair before jumping on a counter).

Become grumpy when being picked up or petted.

Stop grooming themselves as well as they used to.

Have "accidents" outside the litter box (because it's uncomfortable to climb in).

Cats are often scared at the vet and won’t move around or express subtle discomfort like they would at home. So, it is hard for vets to accurately assess discomfort or mobility changes. You can be your vet’s most valuable partner by taking videos of your cat moving, playing, or jumping at home, where they are most comfortable.

  Watch this video to learn how you can conduct a mobility assessment of your pet at home 

Chronic Kidney Disease: A Common Concern

Nutrition: Your Most Powerful Tool for Healthy Ageing

So, how do you support a cat with arthritis and kidney issues at the same time? Or one with a sensitive stomach on top of it all? It can feel overwhelming, but there’s a simple solution: specialised nutrition.

The right food can be a game-changer.

For change in mobility: Diets with joint-supporting ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids and green-lipped mussel have been shown to improve mobility and slow the progression of arthritis (4,5).

For healthy kidneys: Therapeutic nutrition is the only intervention consistently shown to help prolong a good quality of life in cats with CKD. These diets are carefully balanced to be gentle on the kidneys.

For sensitive guts & skin: What if your cat has food sensitivities and kidney disease? It used to be a difficult choice. Now, new therapeutic foods are available that combine easily digestible, hypoallergenic protein with the kidney support your cat needs, managing both issues at once.

By adopting a proactive approach that includes targeted nutrition, you can move your cat away from steady decline and towards a future filled with vitality and comfort.

Your vet is the expert in your pet’s health, ask them about a senior health check today.