11 Common Signs Your Cat Is Dying Of Old Age

If you’ve got a cat in your life, chances are you’ve noticed that they age, but how do you identify these signs your cat is dying of old age?

Cats age slower than humans and most don’t live to be more than 15 years old.

But what exactly does aging mean for your kitty, and how do we know a cat is dying of old age? Keep reading…

The following signs might indicate that your feline friend is reaching the end of its days:

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Elimination issues

If your cat is suddenly urinating outside the litter box, this could be a sign of a serious health problem.

If he or she is losing urine frequently, you should take him/her to see a vet immediately.

The cat may also be leaking urine during defecation and may not be able to go long enough without producing too much fluid to eliminate waste products in his own body.

Behavioral changes

When it comes to behavioral changes, cats are very sensitive to their environment.

This can make them seem more irritable or less playful than they were in their younger years.

Many of these changes could be signs of old age, but there are other factors at play that may contribute to these issues.

For example, if you notice your cat has stopped interacting with you as much or has stopped playing or engaging in activities that he used to enjoy before his health started declining.

This could be an indicator that something is wrong with his cognitive abilities and motor skills.

Decreased appetite or thirst

Your cat may begin to lose its appetite or thirst when his dying of old age.

If this happens, your cat may become less active and refuse food or water. This can be a sign that it’s starting to feel sick or injured.

Your cat may also have trouble drinking enough water to maintain its normal weight.

Which could lead to dehydration (a state in which the body loses too much fluid).

Dehydration can occur if you live in an area with hot weather during summertime or if you keep your pet indoors all year round without access to fresh air and sunlight.

If you notice that your pet is drinking less often than usual—for example, every other day instead of daily.

You should consult with a vet about what could be wrong with him/her so as not to waste time waiting for answers before taking action on behalf of his health!

Changes in sleeping habits

The first sign of aging is a change in your cat’s sleeping habits. If your cat is normally a night owl, you may find that he’s waking up at odd hours or sleeping more than usual.

When he used to sleep on the bed but now prefers sitting up and staring at the wall, it could be time for a new bed!

If you have noticed any changes in how much time your kitty spends sleeping or being active during the day.

Ask yourself what might be going on with his diet—is he eating less food? Is there something else going on?

Decreased grooming

Grooming is a cat’s way of staying clean and healthy. When they reduce grooming at a senior age it could be a sign they are coming to the end of their life.

They groom themselves to keep their fur looking good, so it’s important that they do this often.

If your cat isn’t grooming as much as usual, it could be an indicator that something is wrong with them or their health.

Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs

If your cat is having difficulty jumping or climbing stairs, it may be a sign of old age.

Keep in mind that if your cat has arthritis or other joint problems, this could be another symptom.

If you notice that your cat has trouble jumping on the bed, or if they seem to have trouble jumping on things like counters and tables as well, this could also indicate some health problems.

Disorientation

Some signs of disorientation in your cat can be simple and easy to miss, such as the feline equivalent of wandering away from home.

If your cat becomes confused, it might refuse to use its litter box or food dish, or even walk around in circles until you’re able to find it.

If this happens frequently and persists for several days at a time, there’s a good chance that something is wrong.

One sign of disorientation is an inability to find water or food dishes when they’re not near where you know they are (e.g., under the couch).

Another common symptom is difficulty finding these items after being absent for long periods; if this happens regularly enough over several weeks (or even just once).

Then something may be wrong with your kitty’s vision abilities—and if left untreated early enough on can lead directly to death due to dehydration!

Incontinence or soiling the house

Incontinence or soiling the house is another sign that your cat is dying of old age.

You may notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, or it’s making frequent trips to the bathroom.

This could be a sign of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can be caused by bacteria in the urine and blood.

UTIs are common among older cats and are treatable with antibiotics.

When it comes to incontinence and soiling the house, there’s no way around it—your kitty needs some help!

The first thing you should do is get them on a diet: reduce their food intake by half if they’re overweight and start feeding them smaller meals every day instead of multiple large ones.

Also, try adding some fish oil capsules into their diet daily as well as supplementing with probiotics like acidophilus once per week (this will help keep their digestive system healthy).

After about six weeks of eating less but better quality food and taking supplements regularly, most cats will begin using their litter boxes again naturally without any intervention from you at all!

Less tolerance for touching and petting

A cat dying of old age is usually known to be less tolerance to touching and petting.

Becoming more aggressive towards other pets or humans and becoming more defensive, anxious, or withdrawn.

Again, a cat dying of old age is also known for becoming fearful of people around them.

Weakness or limping

One of the first signs that your cat is aging is when they lose its energy.

This can be caused by poor diet and a lack of exercise, but it can also be due to illness or medication that has weakened them.

If your cat is suddenly unable to get around as easily, as usual, this could indicate old age.

Lack of coordination is another sign that you should look out for is a lack of coordination in your little buddy’s movements.

Your kitty may have trouble getting up from laying down on his side, walking across the room without falling over, and other such actions that require fine motor skills (which are impaired by old age).

Read more: 9 Top Reasons Why Your Cat Run Away From You.

Excessive Shedding

Your cat’s coat is composed of two layers: the outer layer called guard hair, and the undercoat, which is shorter and softer.

The undercoat helps regulate your feline friend’s body temperature by trapping heat when it gets too warm and releasing it when she feels cool.

The guard’s hair protects your cat from bugs and other animals that might want to bite her face off.

It also traps moisture from rain or snow so that she doesn’t get wet (and then freeze).

Guard hairs grow at an average rate over time—about 1/2 inch per month for cats with short coats—but there are exceptions.

Some breeds shed more often than others; some cats may have thicker fur than their counterparts.

Some breeds go through phases where they shed less but still moult regularly throughout their lives while others seem immune from this process altogether!

One thing is sure when a cat is dying of old age you should expect to see more shedding on the sleeping spot.

Read more: 9 Simple Ways To Reduce Shedding In Cats.

What to expect in the last dying days of a cat

There are many things that can happen in the final days of a cat’s life.

Some common signs that a cat is nearing the end are:

Decreased appetite
Decreased mobility
Difficulty breathing

Fever
Vomiting
Changes in appearance

Seizures
Depression
Change in smell

If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it is important to take them to the vet immediately.

Read more: 9 Most Common Traumatized Cat Symptoms.

Ways of taking care of an old dying cat

Here are some common tips or ways to take care of an older dying cat:

Keep them hydrated and fed.
Provide a comfortable environment.
Give them plenty of love and attention.

Maintain their vaccinations and health.
Provide toys and activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Provide a litter box and litter.

Make sure their nails are trimmed and filed.
Provide a warm safe place to rest.
Avoid all forms of stress.

Reduce new activities around them.
Brush them regularly
Talk to your veterinarian about medication.

Pet your cat to make them feel relaxed.
Make sure they take their medication regularly.

More: Where Cats Like To Be Petted (Helpful Tips).

How to get over the loss of your cat

The best way to get over the loss of your cat will vary depending on the individual.

However, some tips to help get over the loss of your cat may include:

Talk about it. It is important to talk about the loss of your cat with someone you trust, as this can help to alleviate some of the pain and sadness you are feeling.

Spend time with other animals. Spending time with other animals can help to distract you from dwelling on the loss of your cat and can provide you with some companionship.
Take some time for yourself. It is important to take some time for yourself to relax and reflect on the loss of your cat. This may include spending time away from other people.
Talk to friends and family about your cat and how you’re feeling.

Draw or paint your cat and keep the work around you to remind you of him.
Take long walks or hikes to clear your mind and get some exercise.
Spend time reading or watching cat-related content to remind yourself of all the good times you had with your feline friend.

Create a special memorial for your cat that includes photos, mementos, and a heartfelt note to remind you of the good times you shared.
Get a new pet when you are healed.