The ages and stages of a cat’s life

Cats are some of the most popular household pets in many countries, and to many owners their cat is an important companion. However, owners are often unaware of the changing health of their cats as they age.

Cats’ medical needs change as they age and six different life stages for cats are recognised - Kitten, Junior, Adult, Mature, Senior and Super Senior; with each stage presenting different health challenges. Knowing what to look out for in each of the stages can help your cat lead a longer, healthier and happier life. 

This is the time to check for problems that may have been present from birth, such as a cleft palate or a hernia, and to discuss lifestyle, diet, neutering, microchipping, vaccination and parasite control. Make sure that the physical and social environment of your home meets all of your kitten’s needs to help prevent problem behaviours developing.

Common health issues for junior cats include infectious diseases (keep the vaccinations up-to-date) and problems related to fighting, hunting or trauma – young cats are active and love to explore! Also, as your cat is maturing physically and emotionally, paying continued attention to the living environment and outdoor space (if your cat is going to have access outside) is important as is diet and body weight monitoring to avoid weight gain after neutering. 

During their adult life stage, many cats that are allowed outdoors are still active hunters, so continued attention to vaccination and parasite control is important. The majority of adult cats have dental and/or gum disease – this can lead to considerable pain and loss of teeth. Ask your vet for advice on cleaning your cat’s teeth. Other common problems encountered at this life stage include obesity, dental disease, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), intestinal diseases, heart disease and problem behaviours.

At seven years of age and above, although many cats still look youthful and remain playful, there is an increased risk of ‘older cat’ age-related problems developing. Typical examples include 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, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, change in appetite or thirst, changes in urination, and reduced activity. Obesity also peaks in Mature and Senior cats, so extra care needs to be taken with feeding. Regular weighing of cats and monitoring of their body condition score is essential.

At this stage, changes are often subtle, such as increased sleeping and/or decreased activity. So don’t simply put any changes down to “old age” and ignore them. As cats get older, problems such as overactive thyroid glands, high blood pressure, kidney disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer, are more likely to develop. Senior cats may spend less time grooming, which can lead to coat and skin problems and claws becoming overgrown. Older cats may eat less because their sense of smell is not so good, or because they have teeth or gum problems. Many of these illnesses and changes can be managed very successfully providing senior cats with a good quality of life.