A senior cat consultation is a specialized in-home visit focused on the unique health needs of aging cats — typically those age 7 and older. More than half of our patients are senior or geriatric cats, and helping them live comfortably and happily in their later years is our greatest passion.
We love young, healthy pets, but we get immense satisfaction in helping geriatric and senior pets and those living with chronic or terminal diseases who need (and deserve) extra special care. We enjoy helping empower their caregivers so that they can give their aging cats the level of care that they want for them. Sometimes it is just about knowing the options that are available! There are often “work-arounds” that enable even challenging-to-medicate cats to receive the care they need to thrive. We want to show you what is possible with creative problem solving and a motivated caregiver.
If appropriate, we can teach you how to:
- Adjust your pet’s home living environment for optimal comfort
- Modify their diet to meet their changing needs
- Administer subcutaneous fluids, if helpful
- Monitor their Quality of Life
- Administer injectable pain medications like Solensia (with special restrictions) or more successfully and easily administer oral medications
- Implement an exercise plan to preserve strength and stamina.
What We Evaluate in a Senior Consultation
Senior cats face a different set of health concerns than younger cats. During a senior consultation, our veterinarian will likely assess, among other things:
- Kidney function — Chronic kidney disease affects up to 30% of cats over age 10. Early detection through bloodwork allows for dietary and medical management that can extend comfortable life significantly.
- Thyroid health — Hyperthyroidism is extremely common in older cats and can cause weight loss, increased appetite, restlessness, and heart problems.
- Joint health and mobility — Arthritis is underdiagnosed in cats because they hide pain so well. We evaluate gait, range of motion, and muscle condition.
- Dental health — Dental disease is one of the most common — and most painful — conditions in senior cats, often missed by guardians.
- Weight and nutrition — Both weight loss and weight gain can indicate underlying conditions. We review diet and make recommendations tailored to your cat’s specific needs.
- Cognitive changes — Senior cats can experience cognitive decline (similar to dementia in humans), showing signs like nighttime vocalization, disorientation, or changes in litter box habits.
- Blood pressure — High blood pressure is common in older cats, especially those with kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
- Heart health — We listen for murmurs or rhythm changes that may warrant further evaluation.
- Changes in elimination, or in litterbox habits — there are common and often treatable conditions affecting elimination in senior cats.
Labwork (bloodwork, thyroid panel, urinalysis) is often recommended and can be drawn during the home visit.
Pets give us such joy as they age. When they are younger and full of energy, they can provide you with great companionship and interaction. As they age, they may slow down a bit, cuddle a bit more, sleep a little longer, and have a more challenging time getting around, but above all, the sweet disposition of an older pet gives us great comfort. During these later years, we really have an opportunity to give back to them.
Our pets don’t ask us for anything (other than giving us “that look” for their favorite treat), but older pets often need our assistance in many areas to help them maintain a healthy and happy life. Caring for an older pet allows pet lovers to give back all that unconditional love they have received from their pet. They’ll never ask you for help, but your help will be greatly appreciated.
When Does a Cat Become “Senior”?
The American Association of Feline Practitioners defines life stages as:
- Kitten: Birth–1 year
- Young adult: 1–6 years
- Mature adult: 7–10 years
- Senior: 11–14 years
- Geriatric: 15+ years
Cats age 7 and older benefit from twice-yearly veterinary exams, as health changes can develop rapidly at this stage. Many conditions — kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arthritis — are far more manageable when caught early. Even cats younger than age 7 can benefit from biannual exams however, as some conditions can first appear at a very young age. Early detection is always advantageous.