Common health issues in elderly cats

Cats are experts at hiding when something's wrong, and this instinct doesn't switch off with age. A cat who has slowed down, gone quiet, or stopped jumping onto the windowsill is often dismissed as "just getting old" when in fact something treatable is going on underneath.

Most cats are considered elderly from around 11 years old, roughly equivalent to a person in their early sixties. By this stage, several conditions become far more likely, and because cats mask discomfort so well, it's usually the owner who has to spot the early clues, not the cat who tells you something hurts.

The good news is that none of the conditions below are something you're expected to diagnose yourself. This guide explains what to look out for so you know when a trip to the vet is worth bringing forward, and what your vet is likely to check for once you're there.

Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common conditions in older cats, and it becomes dramatically more likely with age. VCA Animal Hospitals report that it affects roughly 30-40% of cats over 10 years old, rising to around 81% of cats over 15. Because the kidneys have a lot of spare capacity, at least two-thirds of kidney function is usually already lost by the time signs appear, which is why this disease can seem to come from nowhere.

Early signs include:

• Drinking more than usual and producing more urine
• Weight loss, sometimes gradual and easy to miss
• A duller, poorer-quality coat
• Reduced or picky appetite

As CKD progresses, cats may become lethargic, vomit, develop bad breath or mouth ulcers, or become anaemic. There's no cure, but a lot can be done. Vets typically recommend a restricted-protein, low-phosphorus kidney diet, phosphate binders, and sometimes potassium or B-vitamin supplements, anti-nausea medication, or fluids given under the skin. Cats Protection notes that weight loss in an older cat can point to kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or several other conditions, which is exactly why unexplained weight loss always deserves a vet visit rather than a "wait and see."

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is caused by one or both thyroid glands becoming enlarged and overactive, and it's very common in older cats. According to PDSA, the vast majority of cases (around 97-99%) are due to a benign swelling of the gland rather than a cancerous growth.

Because the thyroid controls metabolism, an overactive one speeds the whole body up. Typical signs include:

• Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
• Increased thirst and urination
• Hyperactivity, restlessness, or uncharacteristic aggression
• A racing heart rate
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• A poor, greasy, or unkempt coat

Some cats also develop a noticeable lump in the neck, though not all do. Hyperthyroidism is generally very treatable: options include daily medication for life, a low-iodine prescription diet, surgical removal of the affected gland, or radioactive iodine therapy at a specialist centre, which can offer a permanent cure in suitable cats. One important quirk worth knowing: an overactive thyroid increases blood flow to the kidneys, which can mask underlying kidney disease. PDSA notes that some cats are found to have kidney problems only once their thyroid levels have been brought back under control, so vets usually monitor kidney function closely during and after treatment.

Arthritis and joint pain

Osteoarthritis is far more widespread in cats than most owners realise, largely because cats are so good at compensating for pain. PDSA cites research showing that 90% of cats over 12 years old show signs of arthritis on X-ray, even though relatively few are ever diagnosed in life.

Unlike dogs, cats rarely limp obviously. Instead, watch for quieter changes:

• Hesitating before jumping onto furniture, or missing the jump
• Stiffness, especially after sleeping or resting
• Taking the stairs more slowly, or avoiding them
• Reduced grooming, leading to a matted or greasy coat
• Overgrown claws, because scratching keeps claws worn down naturally
• Increased irritability, hiding, or reluctance to be handled
• Toileting just outside the litter tray, often because stepping over a high side is painful

There's no cure for arthritis, but PDSA is clear that plenty can be done to keep a cat comfortable: pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication, keeping your cat a healthy weight to reduce strain on joints, low-sided litter trays and ramps or steps up to favourite resting spots, raised food and water bowls, and a warm, supportive bed. Joint supplements such as omega-3 and glucosamine are widely used, though the evidence for cats specifically is still limited, so it's worth discussing with your vet rather than assuming they'll be enough on their own.

Cats hide pain so well that visible lameness is often the last sign to appear, not the first.

Dental disease

Dental disease creeps up gradually and is easy to miss until it's advanced. PDSA notes that dental disease is common in cats, especially as they age, and that more than a third of pet cats will experience painful tooth resorption (FORLs) at some point in their life.

Signs to watch for include bad breath, drooling, pawing at the mouth, reduced appetite or reluctance to eat hard food, visible tartar, red or swollen gums, and loose teeth. Because the mouth is full of bacteria, untreated dental disease doesn't stay contained to the teeth: PDSA and other veterinary sources note that bacteria entering the bloodstream from infected gums can affect the heart, liver, and kidneys, adding another reason not to leave it unaddressed in an older cat who may already be managing other age-related conditions.

Treatment ranges from a professional scale and polish under anaesthetic through to extractions for badly affected teeth, and PDSA is reassuring that cats generally cope remarkably well once diseased teeth are removed, often eating more comfortably than before. Daily brushing with a cat-safe toothpaste remains the single most effective form of prevention, alongside dental-specific diets or gels where brushing genuinely isn't possible.

Other conditions to be aware of

Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, and dental disease are the conditions vets see most often in senior cats, but they aren't the only ones. Cats Protection also flags diabetes, high blood pressure, cognitive dysfunction (a feline equivalent of dementia, which can show up as disorientation, altered sleep patterns, or crying at night), and constipation as more common in the senior years. None of these need to be memorised in detail by an owner, but it's worth knowing that a cluster of vague symptoms in an older cat, rather than one dramatic sign, is often exactly how these conditions first show themselves.

Signs that warrant a check-up

Because so many senior conditions share overlapping symptoms, it's more useful to know the general warning signs than to try to diagnose a specific disease at home. Cats Protection lists the following as reasons to book a vet visit:

• Losing weight, even with a normal or increased appetite
• A noticeable increase or decrease in thirst
• Vomiting, diarrhoea, or blood in urine or stool
• New litter tray accidents or straining to toilet
• Increased vocalising, confusion, or disorientation
• Wobbliness or apparent weakness in the back legs
• Any lump, however small

Keeping half an eye on your cat's normal routine, how much they drink, how they move around the house, whether they're still jumping onto favourite spots, makes it much easier to notice when something has genuinely changed rather than trying to remember what "normal" looked like months ago. Tracking your cat's food intake can also help; our Pet Calorie Calculator is a useful way to check whether portions still match an older cat's needs, since appetite and activity both tend to shift with age.

Practical care at home

A few simple adjustments make a real difference to a senior cat's day-to-day comfort, especially where arthritis or reduced mobility are involved:

• Litter trays: choose ones with a low side so stepping in doesn't strain sore joints, and place one on every level of the home.
• Food and water: raise bowls slightly and keep multiple water sources around the house, particularly important for cats with kidney disease.
• Bedding: soft, supportive, and away from draughts; heated beds are popular with arthritic cats.
• Access: ramps or steps to favourite windowsills, beds, or sofas reduce the need to jump.
• Grooming: help with areas your cat can no longer reach comfortably, and check for mats, especially around the back end.
• Routine: keep feeding times, litter tray locations, and furniture layout consistent, since sudden change is harder for an older or cognitively declining cat to adjust to.

Most sources agree that senior cats benefit from more frequent veterinary check-ups than younger adults, typically every six months rather than annually, often including blood and urine tests to catch conditions like CKD before obvious symptoms appear. Catching these conditions early generally means gentler treatment and a better long-term outlook, so this is one area where a proactive approach really does pay off.

When to see your vet

Book an appointment if your cat is drinking noticeably more or less, losing weight, eating less, vomiting repeatedly, showing signs of pain such as stiffness or reluctance to jump, or seems confused or disorientated. None of these signs confirm a specific diagnosis on their own; several conditions share the same early symptoms, which is exactly why a vet examination, rather than guesswork, is the right next step. If your cat stops eating for more than 24 hours, seems to be in acute distress, or collapses, treat it as an emergency and contact your vet or an emergency vet service immediately.

*This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet, who can assess your individual pet.*

Sources

• PDSA — hyperthyroidism in cats: causes, symptoms and treatment (pdsa.org.uk).
• PDSA — arthritis in cats: signs, causes and management (pdsa.org.uk).
• PDSA — dental disease in cats: prevalence, signs and treatment (pdsa.org.uk).
• Cats Protection — caring for elderly cats: age, health conditions and warning signs (cats.org.uk).
• VCA Animal Hospitals — chronic kidney disease in cats: prevalence, symptoms and management (vcahospitals.com).