I asked the same question when my now 12 year old boys were about 7-8 years old. I received a varying number of answers from different vets and folks on the boards. "Senior" isn't as clearly defined as it used to be, mostly because nutrition (cat food formulas), keeping cats inside, and health care these days are better than ever. Cats are living longer than ever. I think the average lifespan for an indoor cat is up to 16-17 years now.

Cat food bags say 7 years old = "Senior" as a previous poster mentioned. I spoke to my vet when they were 7-8. He said we'd monitor their weight before switching, that would trigger it. He didn't start S&P onto Senior food until he noticed a weight gain (1-2 lbs from the previous year) on both of them at about 9 years old. They've been on Senior food since and their weight went back to "normal" within a short time. Essentially, they've both been within a pound of the weight they were at at two years old their entire life, including now.

From all the answers I received thru the years asking the same question of vets and other folks, I'd say by 9-10, a cat is considered "Senior".

Some key things to know/watch with Seniors are weight loss/gain and bathroom changes. Senior cats are prone to urinary problems (Kidney disease it the #1 killer in senior cats, I've been told) and thyroid problems. Kidney problems tend to show up with an increase of water intake and more frequent visits to the litter box. Sometimes it is a "simple" fixable infection, sometimes symptoms of more. Thyroid shows up in increased appetite (much increased) and increased energy spurts. Maybe more symptoms, but that is what my vet now has me looking for in Stanley since his heart rate is slightly high. So far, he eats normally and is the king of naps. Hopefully, his heart rate increase was due to vet visit stress.

One thought is to start with vet check-ups every 6 months vs. every year when they are officially dubbed "Seniors". I started this last year on their 11th birthday. It helps find problems quicker.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

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