How to Take Care of Your Aging Cat - Caring for your elderly cat's health

1. Be alert to the potential problems that can occur to older cats. This includes such problems and diseases as:
- Cancer
- Urination problems
- Bleeding
- Loss of appetite or weight
- Liver disease
- Bad odor
- Vomiting.

2. Have your elderly cat examined more often by a vet. It you used to take it to visit the vet twice a year, start taking the cat four times a year. This is because elderly cats are more likely to develop health problems.

3. Keep your cat's teeth in good order. Older cats are especially prone to plaque buildup on their teeth. It helps if they have been eating dry food, because this helps slow or avoid plaque buildup. The vet can clean their teeth. Really old cats (18, 19, 20,21,22) may be too frail for this, since it does require anesthesia, so it is more important to consider tooth problems earlier. Elderly cats with sore gums may avoid eating and become malnourished.