Mature Cats

Looking after your mature cat (7 – 10 years)

Mature cats face an increased risk of ‘older cat’ problems such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism and cancer. Close monitoring is important, focusing on common signs of disease in older cats such as poor coat condition, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite, weight loss, change in thirst, inappetence, changes in urination, reduced locomotion, reduced hearing or vision, reduced awareness and interaction, agitation or night-time yowling. Obesity peaks in cats aged between six and eight years, so extra care needs to be taken with feeding.

This may sound like a lot to deal with when looking after your mature cat, but there are several things you can do to spot any problems early on and keep your cat healthy.

Feeding and weight

As your cat reaches their mature years, they may begin to put on weight, with the risk of obesity rising during the later stages of your cat’s life. Feeding a complete cat food suitable for mature cats is recommended and you should arrange for your cat to be evaluated by your vet to determine how much food they need. Your vet or nurse will weigh your cat and give them a body condition score – this is a scoring system to determine whether your cat is over or under weight.

It’s also important to address weight when looking after your mature cat, as this can be a sign of disease or dental issues. Sudden or unexpected weight loss should be investigated further.

Adult Cat Diet. Oxford Cat Clinic - Cat Only Vets in Botley & Marston.

Vaccinations

Keeping up with your mature cat’s vaccinations continues to protect them against many serious viral infections – and your cat’s ability to fight these off reduces as they get older. Your cat should receive booster vaccinations at intervals recommended by your vet. If you intend to board them in a cattery, you’ll need to provide evidence of certain annual vaccinations. And if you have cat insurance, regular vaccinations are often a statutory requirement.

Worm and flea treatment

All cats should be treated regularly for fleas – these can transmit disease and cause irritation to cats and their owners. If left untreated, your home may become infested. Clearing such an infestation can take many months once the fleas start breeding. Your vet will advise if you need to treat your cat for ticks dependent on the area you live and your cat’s lifestyle. Your cat should also be treated for roundworms and tapeworms regularly – how often will be determined by your vet, but usually between every three months and every month. Like fleas, worms can spread disease and make your cat feel unwell.

A risk assessment is really important when determining what flea and worm products your cat should be receiving. Without you can easily be under or even over treating. Over treating can be damaging to both the environment and your pocket!

Cat worm and flea treatment. Oxford Cat Clinic - Cat Only Vets in Botley & Marston.

mature Cat Dental Care. Oxford Cat Clinic - Cat Only Vets in Botley & Marston.

Looking after your cat’s teeth

The older your cat, the more likely they are to suffer from dental problems, as a lifetime’s build-up of plaque leads to disease and pain. The best way to avoid this is to brush your cat’s teeth regularly – however the best time to begin this is when they are a kitten, but many cats accept this at later life stages. If your cat is refusing food, or begins to eat and then stops, you should get their teeth checked for decay and disease.

Blood and urine testing

Routine blood and urine testing is a good way detecting early signs of health problems that are relatively common in mature or older cats, such as kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes. We recommend routine annual testing for your mature cat. It is easier than you might think to collect urine from your cat, and your vet will show you how to do this.

How we support your mature cat

The key to keeping your cat healthy as they get older is picking up problems early. As well as providing cat-exclusive veterinary care if your pet is ill or has an accident, we are strong advocates for preventative health care and run several nurse-led clinics to keep your cat healthy as they mature.

Cat Life Stages - How to look after your Mature Cat. Oxford Cat Clinic.

Special Services for Mature Cats

With a range of specialist services, we also provide dental care, vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and six monthly check-ups. These can be booked individually, or as part of the Cat’s Whiskers Health Plan. The plan covers most regular treatments and gives you 10% off all other drugs and spreads the cost of your cat’s care over easy to manage monthly payments. Your mature cat may also benefit from attending the following:

If you have any questions or concerns about looking after your mature cat, feel free to call us to speak with one of the team.

01865 243000 (Botley Clinic) | 01865 950700 (Marston Clinic)

Need to see a vet in Oxford?

If your cat is ill, or you are concerned that they are just not quite right, then book to see one of our cat-specialist vets. If you’re not registered with us, then you can register here or give us a ring on 01865 243000.

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