Aging Issues

Depending on the type of breed, cats can begin to show signs of aging as early as age five, although cats are not considered seniors until age seven. Cat aging issues do not happen suddenly, so you will have a significant amount of time to make any necessary adjustments to your cat's diet and lifestyle. Signs of cat aging are usually very clear. The signs can be mild, moderate, or serious. This will depend on whether the cat is in the beginning stages of his senior years, the middle or the end. Hearing and vision loss usually occur during the later stages of a cat's life. In addition, a condition called Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) can also occur in a cat's senior years. Mild cat aging issues include: graying around the nose and/or increasing in moisture and 'gunk' in the eyes, decrease in activity levels, and digestion and elimination problems. It is important to note that digestion and elimination problems can occur anytime from mid-late life in cats. Continue reading to learn more about cat aging issues, how to recognize them and what you can do to keep your pet as comfortable and happy as can be during his delicate senior years.

1

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

O

P

S

T

W