Senior Care

As cats get older, their needs change. Around the age of eleven, it’s time to adjust how you care for them to ensure they stay healthy and happy. While older cats may naturally become less active, keeping them stimulated and engaged is crucial for their wellbeing. This guide offers tips on how to include appropriate enrichment in their day to day lives, and how to set up their space to keep elderly cats comfortable and active. It's important to remember that every cat is different. Some older cats may remain active and playful, while others will prefer a more relaxed lifestyle. The key is to observe your older cat's behaviour and adjust your care accordingly. With a little knowledge and a lot of love, you can provide a comfortable and fulfilling life for your cat whatever their age.

Understanding Your Senior Cat's Grooming Needs As cats age, they may face several grooming challenges. Common age-related health issues such as arthritis or becoming overweight can reduce their flexibility and so make self-grooming much more difficult for them. This can lead to dandruff, unkempt fur and unhealthy skin. Other conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and kidney issues, can also affect a cat's coat and skin. Older cats with these conditions may require extra care to remove dead hair and manage excess skin oil, preventing matting. It’s also common to see changes in their coat texture and skin health as cats age. Some ageing cats have an increase in the naturally produced oils from their skin, which can cause mats – often at the base of their tail and up their back. A sudden reduction in your cat’s self-grooming is always a cause for concern – especially if they are usually fastidious. It could indicate mouth or dental problems, pain or disease, and you should always contact your vet. Top Tip: Look for signs that your senior cat may need help grooming themself. These can include matted fur, dandruff, an unkempt appearance, itchiness, or increased hairballs. If your cat seems to be starting to have issues to grooming themself, it's time to step in and help them.

As your cat ages, their sleep patterns might change. Older cats may sleep more, with their energy levels simply decreasing with age. Other times, senior cats might sleep more during the day, saving their energy for evenings and nighttime explorations. While you might find this a little disruptive, it's a natural shift in their sleep cycle. Learn how to understand these sleeping patterns and create a cosy sleep haven to ensure they get the rest they need. Common Changes in Older Cats' Sleep Patterns

It’s no secret that cats love to sleep, but often owners are puzzled by this behaviour. How long do cats sleep, and how do you know if your cat is sleeping too much? This article will explain how and why cats love to sleep so much.

Putting a cat to sleep is a heart breaking thought, and a time that any pet owner dreads, but at some stage you may have to consider this as the kindest option for your cat. For example, this may happen if their quality of life is suffering due to illness, injury or old age, and there’s no sign of them getting better.

From around the age of seven you’ll probably notice that your older cat starts taking life a bit easier. Support this slower life and help them stay healthy and happy with a diet that’s designed just for senior cats. As cats age and their activity levels reduce, their nutritional needs change. Spending roughly 40% of their lives classified as seniors, it’s crucial to provide them with a high-quality, tasty diet that includes easily digestible protein and carbohydrates, balanced with key nutrients and controlled levels of fat. Key minerals support ageing joints, and vitamins help support the ageing immune system. A senior cat may start to become less active, if they are an outdoor cat they may begin to spend more time indoors, and have a slower metabolism. These can all add up to them putting on some extra weight. Equally, as they reach their geriatric years, illness and a reduction in their sense of taste and smell can affect their appetites, which will have an impact on their body condition. This is why it's so important to revisit their diet and nutritional needs regularly.

As more cats are living longer, owners and vets get more frequently confronted with age-related problems such as cat dementia. We’ve rounded up the most common signs and ways to keep your senior cat comfortable. Our cats are now living longer than ever before and there is no better news for owners looking to spend extra years with their lovely feline companions. But prolonged lives also come with increased prevalence of senior cat health problems and dementia can be one of them.

You might have noticed that your cat is napping more, can’t jump as high as they used to or isn’t chasing a piece of string with as much energy as they did before. These are all normal as a cat approaches their senior years – like us, they’ll want to slow down a little as they get older! Cats are usually classed to be of a senior age from around seven years old, but this can vary slightly depending on your cats breed and other factors. Diet, fitness and any medical issues all contribute towards the expected lifespan of a senior cat. Even though they may seem a little calmer than when they were a young moggy, the later years that you share with your cat should still be as fun, loving and rewarding as ever. Our team of Pet Care Experts offer guidance and tips on how to make the most of your cats twilight years, for the both of you.

As your cat enters their senior years, you’re likely to notice some changes in their health, appearance, and behaviour. Ageing is, of course, a completely normal process. Just like us, senior cats may have less energy, be interested in different things, and experience age-related conditions such as arthritis. These changes are to be expected, and with some adjustments to their care (as well as regular check-ups with the vet) they should enjoy their senior years to the full. However, some senior cats may also undergo changes in their behaviour. Perhaps they don’t like playing anymore, they avoid being touched, or they even behave aggressively. Others may seem unusually confused, particularly if there are unexpected environmental changes. But how much of this is a normal part of ageing, and when is it time to see a vet? Read on to find out more about caring for old cats and how to spot any behaviour changes.

Is your cat lethargic with a reduced appetite? There are many possible causes for these symptoms, but pancreatitis in cats is one to be aware of. Find out more about this condition including its diagnosis and management. The pancreas is one of the organs in the abdomen. It has roles in digestion and also produces insulin to help control blood sugar levels after eating. Pancreatitis in cats refers to inflammation of this organ, and is a more common disease than previously thought. This guide will help you to notice possible symptoms of pancreatitis and find out more about the condition.

Cat seizures have many causes and can often occur quite suddenly. Find out what you can do to make the experience less stressful for you and your pet. Cat seizures can be a symptom of many different diseases but are one of the more unusual illness symptoms in cats. It can be alarming the first time your cat has a seizure, but by following the advice set out in this article, we hope you’ll have the confidence to remain calm and seek veterinary advice when necessary. Keep reading to find out more about cat seizures and epilepsy.

It’s a sad reality that our furry friends are prone to getting some of the same diseases as us, and that includes cancer. Cancer in cats is less common than it is in dogs, but when they develop it it’s more likely to be fatal. Learn what to be on the lookout for and how to catch it early with our guide. Cancer in cats is an unfortunate reality that can affect our feline friends. While it’s less common than it is for dogs to get cancer, when cats develop the mutation it’s more likely to be serious as they’re masters of hiding their discomfort, therefore it’s often caught later. If you suspect your cat has cancer, it can be a truly scary time and you may fear that you might lose your pet. To help you help your pet, we’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about cat cancer symptoms and treatments.