What changes after 7: the signs owners notice first

Cats are quiet about discomfort, and the changes come slowly. Joint changes are very common in older cats and may not be picked up. These are the signs owners tend to notice first.

How she moves

• She looks at the sofa or the bed for a moment before she jumps, or doesn't jump at all.
• She's stiff when she gets up after a long sleep.
• She sleeps more, and plays less.
• The fur on her back looks untidy, because she grooms less.
• She's grumpy when she's stroked along her back.

How she behaves, often at night

The ASPCA notes that more than half of cats aged 11 to 15 show some of these changes.

• She cries at night, or is restless.
• She uses the floor instead of the litter tray.
• She seems lost in a room she knows well.
• She's less interested in people.

Tell your vet soon if

Some changes are signs of illness, not just age. Cornell University's cat specialists say kidney disease affects up to 40% of cats over 10 and 80% of cats over 15. Early signs:

• She drinks and pees more than usual.
• Later, she eats less, loses weight and looks unkempt.

Also worth a call

• She eats more but still loses weight, and drinks more. In middle-aged and older cats this can be an overactive thyroid.

Keep a note

Write down what you notice and when it started, and bring the note to her next check-up. Older cats see the vet more often: see our guide on how often.

More guides

• How often should an older cat see the vet?
• Drinking more, eating less: when to call the vet