How cats age

March 21, 12:02 AMHartford Cats ExaminerChristine Church

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Older cats will sleep more

Is your cat beginning to gray around the whiskers? Or lazing around the house more and more, eating less and becoming crankier? She may be showing the signs of old age. At one time it was unusual for a cat to live past the age of 10 or 12. But now, with modern medicine, more people keeping their cats indoors, proper care and love, it is not uncommon to see a cat that is 17 or even 20 years old.

Part of your responsibility when you acquire that cute little kitten is seeing her through her geriatric years. You lived with your cat, grew with your cat, shared happiness and tears with your cat. Now it’s time to share in her old age and provide her with extra care during these sensitive years.  The old adage that one year of a cat’s life is equivalent to seven years of a human’s is a misconception. If that were true, a one-year-old cat would be the equivalent of a seven-year-old child. But a cat is psychologically and sexually mature at one year of age, while a seven-year-old child is not. 

Rather, if you were to compare cat years with human years, you’d find cats age quicker than humans, and in stages. So a one-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a human of approximately 18. A cat that is seven years old is reaching middle age. A 14-year-old cat is believed to be equal to a human in her 70s.

Although each cat ages at her own rate, just as humans do, an eight- to 10-year-old cat is considered at the beginning of her geriatric years. Cats over the age of 10 years should have yearly geriatric screenings, along with their inoculations. As their bodies change, older cats may develop problems with their bowels that can cause constipation, diarrhea or incontinence. If any problems should occur, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Hearing and eyesight may begin to fail in an older cat, so steps should be taken to ensure the cat’s safety. Cats may lose their eyesight due to glaucoma or cataracts. Cats usually adjust quite well to blindness. There are precautions you must take, however. Sharp objects should be removed and access to high places should be secured or blocked off. Do not move things around; a blind cat will become familiar with the placement of things and may become confused if things are placed differently. My blind cat, Teisha, gets around fine as long as everything is kept in its place, but the moment something is moved she becomes disoriented. Before touching or handling a blind cat, let your approach be known by speaking to the cat softly beforehand.

Diet, exercise, grooming, nutrition, love, comfort and good medical care are all major factors for you to consider as your cat gets on in years.