Senior Cat Care
How your cat's needs change.
Advances in veterinary medicine have made it possible for cats to live long, healthy lives. However, when they become seniors, they require extra attention and medical care which is why it’s important to understand how their needs change as they age.
Generally speaking, cats are considered seniors at 7-years-old. At this age, it is even more important that your cat receive regular physical exams, vaccines, lab work, and dental care. Through diagnostic testing, which may include a complete blood count, chemistry profile, cardiac test, urinalysis, and fecal parasite screening, we can detect diseases that commonly affect older pets.
Some conditions that typically affect senior cats include:
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Heart Disease
- Small Intestinal Disease
- Dental Disease
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Thyroid imbalances
- Behavioral changes
- Mobility issues
- Tumors and cancer
Luckily, many age-related health conditions can be treated or managed via medication, diet and/or surgery, especially if caught early. Our goal is to keep your cat happy and healthy well into their golden years and we can do that by addressing their needs on an individual basis.
If you have questions about how often we should see your elderly cat or you’d like to schedule an appointment, please call us at (614) 486-7877.
