Like people, cats are living longer. This is great
news! We all treasure the companionship we share with our cats. We hope to
provide them with the longest, happiest lives possible.
How old is your Cat?
Cat's Age |
Equivalent Human's
Age |
Cat's Age |
Equivalent Human's
Age |
5 |
30 |
15 |
80 |
6 |
35 |
16 |
85 |
7 |
40 |
17 |
90 |
8 |
45 |
18 |
95 |
9 |
50 |
19 |
100 |
10 |
55 |
20 |
105 |
11 |
60 |
21 |
110 |
12 |
65 |
22 |
115 |
13 |
70 |
23 |
120 |
14 |
75 |
24 |
125 |
Adult |
Senior |
Super Senior |
Caring for your cat means more than treating problems
as they arise. Preventive care is the most important component of health
care in all of the life stages. At seven years cats are considered seniors.
At this life stage changes in physical condition and behavior inevitably
occur.
What signs should I watch for in my senior cat?
• Change in water
consumption (especially an increase) |
• Vomiting or
diarrhea |
• Change in appetite |
• Change in weight |
• Lethargy or depression |
• Bad breath or difficulty
eating |
• Change in urine production
(especially an increase) |
• Lumps or bumps on the skin |
• Constipation |
• Lapse in grooming habits |
• Change in litter box habits |
• Stiffness or trouble jumping |
• Change in attitude
(irritability/antisocial behavior) |
|
What can my veterinarian do?
Murrayhill Veterinary Hospital recommends a Senior
Wellness Program for all cats over seven years of age. The noninvasive tests
in the program help us care for your senior cat in two ways. First, this
program can identify possible health problems before they become life
threatening. Early testing and detection of medical problems allows for a
more favorable outcome, or prognosis, and more cost-effective options. Second, these tests will provide a
baseline with which your veterinarian can measure changes should your cat
become ill in the future.
Medical needs of senior cats
Test |
Frequency |
Reason |
| |
Senior |
Super Senior |
|
Doctor Exam |
Every 6 months |
Every 4 months |
Detect early
signs of disease such as periodontal disease, obesity, heart
disease, cataracts, arthritis, and cancer |
Blood Tests |
Annually |
Every 6 months |
Identify liver, kidney, pancreatic
and thyroid disease, anemia, and cancer |
Urinalysis |
Every 6 months |
Every 4 months |
Identify kidney
disease and failure, infections, and diabetes |
Blood Pressure |
Annually |
Every 4 months |
High blood pressure may lead to
strokes, eye, or kidney disease |
Tonometry |
Annually |
Annually |
Screening for
glaucoma |
Baseline X-Rays/ECG |
Annually |
Annually |
Detects heart and lung disease,
arrhythmias, enlarged organs, and cancer |
The Goal of Senior Care
The goal of senior care is simple. We want to help
you maintain the highest quality of life for your cat and thereby enhance
the bond that we all share. Together, we can make the senior years the most
rewarding years for you and your cat to share with each other. |
