Signs of Cat Aging & How to Help Your Cat Age Gracefully

April 8, 2023

Written By: Earth Buddy Team

Grey coated cat with green eyes. Read this article to learn about how dental disease may be a sign your cat is aging.

Cats are considered to be in their golden years between 7-10 years of age. Of course, there are plenty of cats that live well past this age, but this is when your cat’s age identifies them as elderly or geriatric. Some cats may still act like kittens at this age, whereas other cats are showing signs of aging or may not be aging as well as others. As with all living creatures, cat aging shouldn’t be looked at a major problem, but rather as the need to care for them differently than you may have before.

#1: Loss of Muscle Mass

Whether you have female cats or male cats, loss of muscle mass is common as cats age. This is because their body starts to break down the proteins in their muscles, which causes them to lose strength and stamina. As you may have noticed, your cat has become slower and less active than they used to be, which means they’re probably not getting enough exercise!

You can help your senior cat stay strong by providing plenty of opportunities for playtime or exercise on a daily basis (just remember that they might not want any part of it). Also, make sure they get plenty of high-quality protein in their diet so that their bodies can repair themselves after each activity session or mealtime session!

#2: Changes in Bathroom Habits

As your cat ages, it’s normal for him to develop certain habits that are different from his younger years. One of the most common changes associated with aging in cats is in how they eliminate waste. In some cases, cats can become incontinent, meaning they will urinate outside the litter box or even on themselves. If you notice that your cat is urinating more than usual and not cleaning up after himself, this could be a sign that he is becoming incontinent.

If you notice this behavior, you can try placing litter boxes in various places around the house. Rather than just having a litterbox in the walkway, add litter boxes to each room where your cat spends time. This way, if they don’t think they can make it to the regular litter box, they may be able to make it to the closer one. 

Another change in elimination habits can occur when cats start sleeping more and eating less as they age; this may lead to weight loss if left untreated over time. While these changes are not directly related to aging itself (they could also be caused by other factors like stress or illness), they should still be monitored closely because they can indicate underlying issues with your pet’s health if left untreated.

Grey, black, and white cat sitting outside next to a bottle of Earth Buddy Maxx Life containing glutathione to support signs your cat is aging.

#3: Joint Problems

Lack of mobility is usually part of the normal aging processes within your cat’s body. As cats age, their body tissues become less elastic over time due to decreased production of collagen fibers within their muscles and tendons. This results in decreased flexibility and mobility in affected joints, which causes discomfort for your cat when moving around or exercising.

Cats with joint discomfort may not move around as much as they once did. Your cat’s ability to jump up the cat tree or onto your lap may be hindered. You may notice decreased interest in playtime or their inability to jump up and down from your lap. Although it may not seem like it’s been that much time in human years, cats have a shorter lifespan, and many cats could experience joint-related problems sooner than expected.

#4: Loss of Vision

As cats age, they may experience a decline in their vision and hearing abilities. This can cause older cats to be less aware of their surroundings and potentially increase their risk of accidents.

If your senior cat has lost some or all of his vision, there are things you can do to make life easier for both of you. These include:

  • Feeding your cat smaller meals more often so they don’t overeat and gain weight
  • Getting them used to using a litter box with low sides and a smooth surface so they don’t trip over it
  • Teaching them how to navigate around furniture and other obstacles with their whiskers rather than their eyes

You would be surprised at how well blind cats get around as long as the furniture remains in the same place and there aren’t any changes. Cats losing their vision may stumble and be scared in the beginning, but over time, they generally become accustomed to their lack of vision and can lead relatively normal lives.

#5: Declining Grooming Behavior

Declining grooming habits in senior cats can be frustrating for both you and your cat. The older your cat gets, the more trouble it can be to keep up with grooming. Cats that were always fastidious groomers may start to look shaggy and scruffy as they get older.

Declining grooming habits are a natural part of aging, and it doesn’t mean your cat is sick or depressed; it just means she’s less interested in cleaning herself. You may find that you need to help maintain your cat’s fur and brush or clean them more often than you did before. 

If your senior cat is not interested in grooming herself, you’ll need to help out by brushing or combing her regularly. In addition to helping maintain a healthy coat, regular brushing will allow you to inspect your kitty for signs of skin irritation or abnormal bumps and lumps.

#6: Digestive Problems and Weight Changes

Young cats, mature cats, elderly cats, and geriatric cats all have differences in their digestive systems. Mature cats, for example, require a different diet than a kitten. It’s the same as your cat ages. As your cats begin their journey to aging, cats tend to have a slower metabolism that doesn’t work as effectively as it once did. 

Your cat’s teeth may also be bothering her. Even healthy cats can experience dental problems as they age. Keep an eye on your cat’s food and water bowls to see how much they’re eating and drinking. Watch your cat as she’s eating to see if she is preferring one side over the other, or if you suspect your cat’s age is impacting her teeth, consulting a veterinarian may be necessary.

Like humans, cats can experience a decline in appetite as they age. This can be a result of chronic disease or simply the normal aging process. At the same time, senior cats often lose muscle mass, causing them to look thinner than normal and a bit more boney than they once did. While this may be normal, regular veterinary check-ups are necessary to ensure your cat’s health is not impacted.

#7: Changes in Your Cat’s Behavior 

Cats begin to become more irritable as they get older. This could be due to discomfort or fatigue, but regardless of the reason, you may notice some behavioral changes. Activities your cat once enjoyed may be too exhausting for them as they get older. They may not want to chase the laser or play with other pets anymore.

Helping Your Cat Age Gracefully

Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can help your cat age gracefully. And, supplements to promote health and wellness. 

A Healthy Diet for Aging Cats

Before diving into the world of supplements, it’s important to understand how critical a healthy diet is to your cat’s health. A healthy diet is the best way to ensure that your cat has a long, healthy life. However, you may want to consider adding supplements to supplement their high-quality diet.

Cats are carnivores, and their bodies are designed for meat-based diets that are high in protein and fat. As cats age, their digestive systems slow down, and they may find it difficult to process certain types of food. Your cat’s ability to process food may begin to affect your cat’s weight.  

Raw food is one option some professionals may recommend. It’s more natural than kibble and contains more moisture to keep your cat hydrated. A raw food diet can also help your feline friend fill any nutritional gaps in their diet. 

Glutathione for Cats to Help the Cat Aging Process

Glutathione is known as the body’s best agent in the detoxification process as well as the most influential antioxidant. Glutathione is recommended for cats that are seven years or older to support and maintain proper body functions and overall good quality of life.

Glutathione is a tripeptide, meaning it can be broken down into three components. These components include glycine, cysteine, and glutamate. It is also known to bind to pesticides and heavy metals, clearing your cat’s body from these harmful substances. 

What does all this mean for your aging cat? Here are the benefits:

  • Helps maintain physical and mental well-being
  • Promotes cognitive function
  • Helps support liver function by instinctively providing increased amounts of glutathione in the liver for detoxification purposes
  • Assists the body in combating environmental pollutants
  • Helps eliminate free radicals associated with the aging process
  • Supports normal cell function
  • Promotes normal bodily functions

Fortunately, Earth Buddy has a product called Maxx Life that contains our glutathione support complex, an immune support complex, and a 1:1:1 ratio of CBD:CBDa:CBG.

Gut Health for Overall Well-Being

Gut health is an absolute priority when it comes to helping your cat age gracefully. The majority of the immune system resides in the gut, and, unfortunately, even the cats that look the healthiest could have an imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria known as dysbiosis. 

Earth Buddy’s Gut Health product combines full spectrum hemp extract with antibiotic-free bovine colostrum to provide your senior cat with the best chance at balancing their gut microbiome. In this product, there are 1,460mg per scoop of colostrum, with 14% immunoglobulins, in addition to 6mg of full spectrum hemp extract. 

The benefits of a balanced gut include:

  • Nutrients derived from colostrum have been shown to help support the growth of muscle, skin, collagen, bone, cartilage and nerve tissue
  • Provides supporting nutrients for the health of aging animals
  • Helps maintain the general health of all ages and breeds

The Benefits of Full Spectrum Hemp Extract 

Full spectrum hemp extract can help maintain physical and mental well-being, which is not only important for geriatric cats but for younger cats as well. Full spectrum hemp extract promotes the health of your cat’s body as a whole. Additional benefits of utilizing full spectrum hemp extract while your cats age include:

  • Enhances cardiovascular function
  • Helps support cognitive function
  • Supports eye function
  • Helps eliminate free radicals associated with the aging process
  • Supports normal bodily functions
  • Helps keep your pet calm and relaxed
  • Helps support healthy GI function
  • Promotes a healthy coat and skin
  • Promotes long-term ocular health (eye health)

As you can see, the benefits of full spectrum hemp extract for cat aging care are numerous. 

Keeping Your Senior Cat Healthy

Keeping your senior cat healthy can be difficult at times, but with some assistance, the right diet, and the proper supplements, aging cats can thrive through their golden years. Of course, there will still be age-related physical changes, but having healthy cats is the overall goal for pet parents. Help your cat age gracefully with the tips provided here. 

For further reading, we recommend:

 

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