Elderly cat ... what sort of behaviour is normal?

[Mintyy]

My lovely cat is coming up to 15.

He doesn't go outside much any more and he doesn't venture upstairs very often either.

He spends most of his time curled up on the kitchen doormat, sleeping.

He still washes himself and has a beautifully groomed coat.

He has the same healthy appetite (3 pouches of wet food per day).

But he doesn't go out on adventures or get up to greet me when I get home, or even seek out other spots in the house to sleep in.

Is this normal? Should I be looking out for any signs of illness or distress at this age?

[cozietoesie]

They definitely become less active/sleep more and some can become quite needy - but you might usefully have a read of this also.

When was he last vetted - and have his teeth and bloods been checked recently?

[cozietoesie]

PS - some vets will offer a special 'senior health check' which covers all the usual bases on a pretty good deal. You could always check that one out with his vet.

[enriquetheringbearinglizard]

Same age cat and exactly the same behaviour. Has good and less good days but seems perfectly content and appetite's good, which is what I go by.

[cozietoesie]

I think I'd get him a decent vet check mintyy - especially his teeth. Cat teeth simply aren't designed for great age and this might be your last best opportunity to give him a proper dental under GA so that he doesn't have bad problems in the years ahead. When Seniorboy had a full dental at 16, the vet was fairly confident in the ability of herself and her team to get him through it. She said recently though that she wouldn't GA him again. (And I concurred.)

[isadorable]

My 15 year old was the same but since July he's been on Semintra for his kidney problems and he has returned to being the lovely cuddly creature I thought had left us. So my advice is get the vet to check him over.

[Lillywhite10]

Is it normal for older cats to start soiling in the house? My lovely 13 year old has started to use the lounge floor as his letter tray, always in the same spot. I've washed the floor with a citrus cleaning product, tried bio washing powder all to no avail. Help!!!

[isadorable]

I think it can be... Ours was too but now his medication seems to be helping him he's back to just using the litter. I wonder if it was a cry for help with ours so you might want to take yours for a check up just in case there's something you can do.