Aging in cats

Dental disease and loss of olfaction are common as cats age, affecting eating habits.

[4] The current oldest verified cat alive is Flossie, who was born in 1995 in the United Kingdom.

Hannah Harper, associate editor of Health Magazine, describes five major points to ease the transition of aging pets.

Director of Behavior Services at MSPCA, Terri Bright PhD, encourages "taking note of your pet's abilities so you can catch progressing conditions".

Vet visits should increase to twice a year and be focused on tracking mobility and monitoring full body health.

Aging pets may experience arthritis, causing difficulty with necessary mobility involved in jumping, running, walking, and bending.

Harper suggests toys such as puzzles that "encourage your dog or cat to 'solve' a problem" or toys/games that "tap into their hunter-prey drive.

New behaviors may develop with aging including aggression and anxiety, often related to the physical changes your pet is experiencing.

[citation needed] There are many factors discussed in the article that led to reduced food intake.

"[citation needed] Cats that can preserve their lean body mass have increased longevity.