Pets need special care at all stages of life, and with the elderly cat it is no different. Therefore, it is very important to know what diseases can affect an old cat and to be able to identify the signs of feline old age. After all, understanding some specific characteristics of this phase are essential to learn how to take care of an elderly cat. To youhelp in this mission, the Paws of the House has put together information that is essential to identify the aging of your kitty.

Elderly cat: behavior changes as age advances

Behavioural changes are the first to be noticed by guardians when we have a cat approaching feline old age. It is not news to anyone that cats' sleep is endless (they will never miss the opportunity to take a good nap. With the arrival of age, the hours of sleep can increase even more. The difference is that, despite sleeping more, feline sleep becomes lessThis detail is one of the signs that guardians notice the most, mainly because this characteristic causes several changes in the routine. In addition, the old cat may interact less compared to the past and make more noises on a daily basis

Old cat loses tooth?

Of the physical signs, the loss of cat teeth is one of the clearest characteristics that old age is coming. The teeth end up getting more worn and it is normal for some to fall out. The alert should be on if these signs are accompanied by gum disease, which can cause even more problems for the old cat. Because of this, the follow-up of the veterinarian duringold age is extremely important.

Joints of an old cat are less flexible

Pets are known for being extremely agile and flexible. However, the elderly cat will not have the same disposition as before - especially if he is affected by osteoarthritis, a disease very common in cats of older age. This inflexibility of the joints can lead the animal to feel a lot of pain and difficulty getting around. Often this causes the pet not to be able to move.can clean themselves properly, which can trigger skin problems in cats.

To reduce these inconveniences, the pet parent should position the litter box for elderly cats, feeders and drinkers in places not too far from where the feline usually stays. In this way it is avoided that the pet stops doing its needs and feeding because of the pain when moving.

Older cat's coat looks different

Just like us humans, the elderly cat begins to have some white hairs. However, this is not the only change that this region presents: the quality of the hair will also be affected. An old cat of 15 years, for example, will have a coat with a lower quality than that of a feline kitten, being more opaque and fragile. This happens because sebaceous glands, which are responsible for producing oilsIn this sense, the kitten is more exposed to the dangers of infections and diseases. It is therefore very important to take care of the coat of the elderly cat.

Old cats' sense of smell, taste and hearing become less acute

Of course, not every elderly cat can feel this, as these are signs that vary from feline to feline. In fact, a good part of the behavioral differences are usually associated with the fact that the feline sense of smell, taste and hearing become less acute. As these physical manifestations are difficult to perceive on a daily basis, less attentive guardians end up noticing this difference in the cat's behavior.perception of the senses only when the kitten changes behavior because of them. To have a diagnosis, it is necessary to take him to the vet.