This stage could range from 7 to even 20 or more years, so there are a lot of changes that will occur in the senior cat stage. In this part of the cat’s life, you need to be making sure their food is right for them and providing them with the correct nutritional needs because they will be more prone to diseases and other health problems. Also, keep an eye out for strange behavior that might indicate a serious issue. They will be very settled in this stage, so you won’t really get those mischief problems like with kittens or younger cats, but you still may need to remind them of a few rules. Don’t worry, it is still possible to retrain an older cat, albeit tougher.
Keep taking your cat for regular appointments, so that your vet can give you advice for older cats. Once they hit age fifteen, they are considered geriatric cats, so you will see many physical changes, similar to humans. They may lose or gain weight. Their coat will lose a little color and luster and may start to gray or turn white. They may have trouble moving around and won’t be able to go everywhere they used to. Make sure their litter box is easy for them to get into and that they can access their food easily too. You may notice that their playtime will be less, and there will probably be more sleeping or cuddling with you! Similar to kittens, try to keep the area safe and loving for them as they spend their final years with you!
