Senior cat care
Senior cat care: what changes after 10
VCA considers cats senior from about 10 and geriatric from about 15. Because cats hide illness, the senior years are when a simple log of weight, thirst and litter habits does the most good. This guide covers what changes in care and which changes deserve a visit.
By the PetVitale editorial team · Last reviewed · Sources listed below
The short answer
- Cats are senior at around 10 and geriatric at around 15 (VCA).
- Senior cats benefit from a wellness exam every six months, commonly with bloodwork and urine testing (VCA).
- Weight loss, drinking more and litter box changes are the senior cat signs most often mistaken for age.
How the care routine changes
| Care item | Adult cat | Senior cat (10+) |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Yearly | Every 6 months (VCA) |
| Bloodwork and urine | As recommended | Commonly at each exam or yearly as a baseline |
| Weight | At visits | Monthly at home; loss is an early signal |
| Blood pressure | Rarely | Often checked in seniors |
| Dental | Check at exam | Check at each exam; disease is very common |
Guidance summarized from VCA and the AVMA. Your veterinarian sets the plan for your cat.
Changes that are not just age
- Weight loss, especially with a normal or bigger appetite.
- Drinking more and larger urine clumps in the litter.
- Going outside the box, or straining with little result, which is an emergency in male cats.
- Less jumping, hesitating before the sofa, or sleeping in lower places, which often reflect joint pain.
- Vocalizing at night, confusion, or changed sleep.
- Unkempt coat or less grooming, and bad breath or dropping food.
None of these are diagnoses. They are the reasons VCA and the AVMA recommend more frequent senior exams.
Home adjustments that help
- Low-sided litter boxes on each floor, so a stiff cat does not have to climb or travel far.
- Steps or a ramp to favourite high places, and warm, soft beds.
- Water in several places, and wet food to increase intake.
- Raised, shallow food bowls if the neck is stiff.
- Gentle brushing if grooming has dropped off.
What to track for a senior cat
- Monthly weight on the same scale.
- Water intake and litter box output, even roughly.
- Medications with doses and refill dates.
- Lab and blood pressure results for year-over-year comparison.
- Appetite, grooming, mobility and sleep notes.
Questions pet parents ask
Sources
- Senior cat care — VCA Animal Hospitals
- Senior pets — American Veterinary Medical Association
- Feline dental disease — Cornell Feline Health Center
Related guides and tools
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Prices are published estimates that vary by clinic, region and your pet's needs — ask your veterinarian for a written estimate. PetVitale organizes your pet's records and reminders; it does not replace your vet.