Senior cat care: subtle signs owners should track

Quick answer: Notice changes in drinking, weight, toileting, movement, grooming, and behavior. Ask your vet how often to check weight and schedule visits. New symptoms may need attention before the next planned wellness exam.

A change from your cat’s usual behavior matters even when it seems small. Compare against the individual cat’s normal routine and contact the clinic about persistent or concerning changes.

Water intake

Increased drinking can have several causes, including medical conditions and medication effects. Record when you noticed it and contact your vet; do not restrict water.

Weight

Ask how often to weigh your cat and use a stable scale with suitable capacity, consistently and without forcing a distressed cat. Changes to discuss include:

• Unexplained weight loss even when appetite seems normal or increased.
• Weight loss with decreased appetite — many possible causes; needs a vet visit promptly.
• Unexplained weight gain or changes in body shape.

For the broader weight context, see pet weight tracking: why your vet asks about weight changes.

Mobility

• Hesitating before jumping up to a favorite spot.
• Choosing lower perches than before.
• Taking the steps slowly when previously running them.
• Avoiding stairs entirely.
• Stiffness after sleeping.

Cats hide pain. Behavioral changes in mobility often precede limping. Arthritis is increasingly recognized as common and undertreated in senior cats — ask your vet about it specifically.

Grooming

Decreased grooming — especially on the back half — can signal pain, dental issues, or systemic illness. A previously fastidious cat with matting on the rear is sending you information. Increased over-grooming in spots can also signal a problem.

Litter box habits

Senior cats often signal illness through the litter box:

• Larger or more frequent urine clumps — possible kidney disease or diabetes.
• Repeated straining with little or no urine is an emergency in any cat, especially males.
• Urinating outside the box — behavioral or medical; vet should rule out medical first.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Blood in stool or urine.

For more, see litterbox changes as a vet-visit signal.

Behavior

• Vocalizing more, especially at night.
• Hiding more than before.
• Becoming clingy when previously independent (or vice versa).
• Confusion in familiar spaces — can signal feline cognitive dysfunction in very old cats.
• Decreased interest in play or food puzzles.

Plan regular wellness visits

Older cats often benefit from at least twice-yearly assessment, with the exact frequency and tests tailored by the vet. Bring dated observations and previous results. Do not wait for the scheduled exam if new symptoms appear.

How Driyu can help

Medical Records has limited Free capacity; Pro expands it and adds tools such as health observations, Smart Reminders and weight trends. Check your account for availability. Enter the information you observe and confirm any care schedule with your vet; Driyu does not diagnose changes or monitor the cat automatically. See organizing care as a pet ages.