It’s National Senior Pet Month!

Did you know cats are considered seniors after 8 years?

A ten-year-old cat is similar age wise to a 53-year-old person; a 12-year-old cat to a 61-year-old person; and a 15-year-old cat to a person of 73.

Aging is a natural process. Although many complex physical changes accompany advancing years, age in and of itself is not a disease. Even though many conditions that affect older cats are not correctable, they can often be controlled.

The key to making sure your senior cat has the healthiest and highest quality of life possible is to recognize and reduce factors that may be health risks, detect disease as early as possible, correct or delay the progression of disease, and improve or maintain the health of the body's systems.

Close observation is one of the most important tools you have to help keep your senior cat healthy; regular veterinary examinations is another.

During your cat's examination, the veterinarian will gather a complete medical and behavioral history, perform a thorough physical examination in order to evaluate every organ system, check your cat's weight and body condition, and compare them to previous evaluations. At least once a year, certain tests, including blood tests, fecal examination, and urine analysis, may be suggested. In this way, disorders can be found and treated early, and ongoing medical conditions can be appraised. Both are necessary to keep your senior cat in the best possible health.