Senior Cat Care Calgary

When is a cat “senior”?

• Mature: 7-10 years (start watching for changes)
• Senior: 10-15 years
• Geriatric: 15+ years

Indoor cats live an average 12-18 years; many reach 20+. Don't treat 10 as “the end” — a senior cat often has 5-10 quality years ahead.

Top 3 senior cat conditions

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

The #1 cause of death in senior cats. By age 15, ~30% of cats have some level of kidney disease. Early signs:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Weight loss despite normal appetite
• Lethargy
• Bad breath (uremic)

Management: prescription kidney diet (Hill's k/d, Royal Canin Renal — ~$80-100/month), subcutaneous fluids at home (some cats need them daily; vet teaches you), regular bloodwork to track progression. With early detection, cats can live 2-5+ more years with CKD.

Hyperthyroidism

Overactive thyroid — the most common hormonal disease in older cats (~10% over age 10). Signs:

• Increased appetite but losing weight
• Hyperactivity, restlessness
• Yowling, especially at night
• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Unkempt coat

Management: daily methimazole pills ($30-60/month) usually work well. Other options include radioactive iodine treatment (one-time ~$1,500-2,500, eliminates the issue) or thyroid surgery. Untreated hyperthyroidism damages the heart and kidneys, so don't skip treatment.

Arthritis

By age 12, ~90% of cats have arthritis on x-ray, even if you don't see lameness. Cats hide pain. Signs:

• Reluctance to jump up to favorite spots
• Sleeping more
• Less grooming (especially over the back/hips)
• Litter box accidents (high-walled box hard to enter)
• Stiffness after sleeping

Management: Solensia injection (newest, monthly, ~$60-90 per shot) is the gold standard for cat arthritis pain. Joint supplements (Cosequin, glucosamine), heated beds, ramps to favorite spots, lower-walled litter boxes.

Other things to watch

• Dental disease — very common. Bad breath is not normal. Cats may need dental cleaning under anesthesia ($400-800).
• Diabetes — increased thirst, urination, weight changes. Manageable with insulin (~$60-100/month).
• Heart disease (HCM) — often silent until severe. Annual cardiac auscultation, echocardiogram if murmur detected.
• Cognitive dysfunction — like dementia. Yowling at night, getting lost in familiar places, forgetting routines. No cure, but environmental enrichment helps.
• Cancer — lymphoma is the most common in senior cats. Many are treatable with chemo.

Senior cat vet schedule

• Twice yearly: wellness exam ($80-150 each)
• Annually (start at age 8-10): bloodwork + urinalysis ($150-250). Catches CKD, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes early.
• Annually: blood pressure check ($30-50). Hypertension is common in older cats.
• As needed: dental cleaning ($400-800), Solensia for arthritis, prescription diets.

Total annual senior cat vet costs: $400-1,500 depending on conditions. Plan for it.

Diet for senior cats

• Switch to senior-formula food at age 10-11 unless your vet recommends otherwise.
• Senior formulas have lower phosphorus (kidney protection), more digestible protein, joint supplements.
• Wet food is increasingly important — senior cats often dehydrate; wet food adds water.
• Smaller, more frequent meals if appetite drops or weight loss.
• Prescription diets if specific conditions emerge (kidney, hyperthyroid management diets).

Home modifications

• Lower-walled litter box for arthritic cats. The high-walled boxes hurt to enter.
• Pet stairs or ramps to favorite spots (couch, bed, window perch).
• Heated cat bed — senior cats love warmth. $30-60.
• Multiple water stations — encourages drinking, especially important for kidneys.
• Soft food and water bowls — raised bowls help cats with arthritic necks.
• Night lights — senior cat eyes don't adapt to dark as well.

Quality of life: the hardest part

At some point, a senior cat's quality of life declines beyond what management can fix. The hardest decision in cat ownership is when to consider euthanasia. Veterinarians recommend the “HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale”:

• Hurt — pain controlled?
• Hunger — eating willingly?
• Hydration — drinking adequately?
• Hygiene — able to groom?
• Happiness — engaging with the world?
• Mobility — able to move where they want?
• More good days than bad?

When 4+ of these are consistently “no,” many vets recommend the conversation. Calgary has several in-home euthanasia services that minimize stress for the cat. Cost: ~$300-500.

A peaceful, planned death is one of the kindest things you can do for a cat in suffering. It's also the hardest. Talk to your vet honestly — they've guided thousands of families through this.