While people tend to be enamored by kittens, I’m going to tell you a secret: I prefer senior cats. I adopted my first cat when he was 8 (which is just below when a cat is considered a senior at age 11) and it was the best choice I ever made. There’s something special about these wise felines that you don’t get with cats in other age groups.
Of course, whatever age you adopt your cat at, they will ideally be a senior cat one day. It’s normal and expected to have some behavior changes as cats age, but other changes may be a concern. Let’s start with what is normal, what might be normal, and what is a sign you should talk to your veterinarian right away.
Normal Senior Cat Behavior Changes
Think about what age you are now and all the changes you’ve gone through since you were 10 years old regardless of your current age. Chances are you’ve had a lot of mental changes since then. Cats are no different than we are in that they undergo a lot of behavioral changes with time. Cats are considered seniors once they are 11 years old, though some common senior cat behavior changes may start before then as it’s not like a light switch is flipped on their 11th birthday.
Changes To Play
While senior cats still need play and mental stimulation, their preferences for play may change. They may prefer shorter play sessions and, like most adult cats, will show a preference for interactive play over playing by themselves. Your cat may also change toy preferences over time and prefer different toys than they did when they were younger.
You should still play with your cat and even try new types of play with them even if they are a senior. Rotate their toys regularly or try something other forms of enrichment like a food puzzle to keep them engaged.
Training Is Possible, But Slow
For those who still think you can’t train your cat, a friendly reminder you are on the website of a professional cat trainer. Training cats isn’t as tough as it sounds even if your cat is a bit older. Of course, it may take your cat a bit longer to do some training. I trained with Zoloft until the very end of his life. While he was very smart, it definitely took him longer to catch on to new behaviors.
Saving Hyrule
Z still succeeded at some pretty unusual training even when he was older. About 3 months prior to his passing, the Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom came out. I taught him to press the Y button on my Switch controller and had him deliver the final blow to the final boss at the end of the game.
In other words, my senior cat saved Hyrule. He was 13 at the time.
The point of this story is that cats absolutely can still learn when they’re older. Don’t be afraid to teach your old cat new tricks. Just give them a bit more time.
Diminished Catnip Response
I love giving cats catnip. While kittens won’t usually respond to it, cats can respond well into their senior years. However, it’s not uncommon for cats to have a less robust response to catnip once the reach the senior phase of their life. You can try something stronger like silver vine, though eventually your cat may not respond quite as much when they’re older to any of the fun plants.
Less Pleasant But (Sometimes) Normal Changes
Some senior cat behavior may be concerning only if it is excessive or in the extreme. If you’re not sure if something is normal, ask your veterinarian. They can help you decide if something is worrying and rule out any underlying medical problems.
Changes To Sleep
It’s normal for cats to sleep more as they age. That doesn’t mean they should sleep all the time (and if you notice a sudden or significant change in sleep, get them to a veterinarian right away), but chances are you’ll notice your cat resting in a sunbeam more. You may notice that they change where they sleep, too, so it’s easier for them to get to. Some senior cats may find a cozy heated bed feels good on their joints while others may find a comfy patch of carpet to nap on. Your lap may also become the preferred place to lounge!
Appetite Changes
Your cat may eat slightly less as they age. This can be abnormal if they stop eating entirely or their appetite gets too low, but don’t expect them to be as ravenously hungry as a kitten. Some ways to encourage your senior cat to eat:
- Heat their food slightly so it has a stronger scent.
- Try extra stinky foods.
- Pick foods that have strong umami flavoring. Tuna is a great example
- Add a food topper or even something like Calming Care or FortiFlora, two probiotic supplements that many cats find tasty, to their food to enhance the flavor
Decreased Mobility
According to many studies, a large number of senior cats will develop arthritis which can lead to pain when moving. That may mean they climb less or don’t spend time in their favorite spots. You can make modifications to your environment to help make life easier for your senior cat by:
- Using pet stairs to allow them access to your bed, couch, or other resting spots
- Get a low entry litter box
- Add more resources such as water fountains and litter boxes in more locations to make them easier to access
Changes In Scratching
You may notice your cat’s scratching preferences change, too. Specifically, they may start scratching horizontal surfaces rather than vertically. Thankfully, this one has an easy solution: horizontal scratchers. You can get almost completely flat sisal scratchers for your cat if they don’t even want to step up an inch or two.
Concerning Behavior Changes
While some of these changes can be signs of concern, there are a few behavior changes that almost always indicate a trip to the vet is needed.
Litter Box Changes
If your cat begins house soiling at any age, it’s a good idea to get a medical exam. This is especially true in senior cats because serious medical concerns can show up as changes to litter box habits.
In some cases, your litter box set up may be the issue. Yes, this includes if your cat has used the litter box and litter you’ve had for a while. A few quick changes to try:
- Ditch the top entry or self scooping litter boxes (even if they have a ramp leading into them)
- Skip any pelleted litters in favor of a softer litter
- Consider a homemade litter box with a low entry
- Move the litter box out of the basement and don’t make your cat crawl through a cat door to get to the litter box
Aggression
If your normally affectionate cat suddenly develops aggressive behavior, a trip to the veterinarian is a good plan. Aggression can be the result of many things, but pain is one of the first things that needs to be ruled out.
Thankfully, you can reduce the risk of aggressive behavior by being respectful of your cat’s boundaries, keeping up with regular veterinary care, and making a few environmental modifications. Some cats may even become more affectionate as they get older, possibly due to the feeling of safety and warmth you provide, so don’t think all older cats will become aggressive!
Changes To Senses
Cats may not be able to see hear, smell, or see as well as they could in their younger years. This can manifest with any of the other behavior changes already mentioned, but one big sign to look for is a decrease in reactivity to sounds or things moving. If you aren’t sure, ask your veterinarian to do an evaluation.
Signs Of Cognitive Dysfunction
I’ve had clients refer to cognitive dysfunction in cats as “kitty dementia.” In some ways, this is an appropriate way of thinking of feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome. While this is something your veterinarian needs to diagnose, a few signs you should contact your vet according to PetMD include:
- Increased nocturnal vocalization
- House soiling
- Frequent staring off into space
- Running into objects, especially when nothing has changed in the environment
- Unusual changes to social relationships
- Repeated solicitation for food (especially right after they’ve just been fed)
The bottom line: if your senior cat is acting differently than normal, a veterinarian visit is a good idea.
What Can I Expect As My Cat Ages?
Having a senior cat can come with challenges if they have complex medical conditions or, as will unfortunately happen eventually, their time with us starts dwindling. Senior cat behavior is different than behavior in younger cats. Some behavior changes may not be enjoyable and some may be a painful reminder that they live shorter lives than us.
As someone who not too long ago lived with a delightful senior cat, I can assure you that you have so much to look forward to when your cat is in their prime. The bond you build will be so deep and, if you’re kind to them through their life, their trust in you will be strong. You’ll have cozy nights filled with snuggles and days filled with making fun memories.
Your cat aging isn’t something that can be avoided, but it’s also not something to fear. This phase of their life will be special in a different way than the other years you spent with them, but it will be just as incredible.