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Like
people, cats are individuals, so they will age
differently, and at different rates. While some cats may
be entering the beginning of their golden years, another
pet born the same year can still be enjoying middle age.
However, there are benchmarks that are generally used to
mark the different phases of a cat’s life. Your pet
certainly isn’t old at seven, but this is the age when
metabolic changes begin to show themselves in most cats.
Between seven and ten, a cat will start to slow down,
and may not chase balls or houseflies with the same
vigor he once did. He may start to eat and drink less;
his coat may grow thinner; and the color of his eyes may
become less vibrant.
In
cats, the age of ten can be considered equivalent to the
age of 53 in people. By the cat’s 13th birthday, he’s
roughly the same as a 65-year old person. Somewhere
between the cat’s 14th and 15th birthday, the cat has
entered his 70s in “human years.” The lifespan for cats
is generally considered in the mid to late teens, but
feline pets in their 20s are no longer uncommon.
As
your cat continues to age, he will experience the
changes in his activity level, eating habits and coat
conditions. He will also lose some mental sharpness and
may be less inclined to interact with people. Since his
immune system will be less robust, he will be less able
to fight off minor ailments, and his recovery from them
will probably be slower. He will also be less able to
groom himself; and so he will be more dependent on his
human companions to keep him clean him, brush him, and
trim his nails, which become thicker and more overgrown
with age.
Start preparing for your cat's golden years early in
the pet’s life. Kittens and young cats are more likely
to accept new grooming rituals than seniors. However,
an older pet will need more help keeping himself
groomed. The solution? Get your pet used to the idea of
being groomed when he is still young.
It’s
also a good idea for you to introduce senior formula
foods early in middle age. This means switching diets
when the cat is between seven and eight. You should also
take your senior cat to the veterinarian more often so
subtle changes and issues can be identified and
addressed quickly.
Although different breeds of dogs will reach old age at
different years, cats tend to age at the same rate and
have the same lifespan regardless of breed or body size.
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