Cat (mixed breed)

Chronic kidney disease

SignsThe most common disease in senior cats. Increased thirst and urination, weight loss, dull coat, vomiting, bad breath. Almost no symptoms early on

PreventionBlood and urine tests 1–2 times a year from age 7. Add water stations and use wet food. Caught early, a therapeutic diet can slow progression

Lower urinary tract disease

SignsFrequent trips to the litter box, passing only a little, bloody urine, urinating outside the box. Urethral obstruction in males becomes dangerous within hours

PreventionOne litter box per cat plus one, always clean. Increase water intake. Avoid obesity and stress. If no urine is passed, see the vet immediately

Obesity / diabetes

SignsRibs cannot be felt, belly sags. Diabetes: increased thirst and urination, weight loss despite eating, walking on the hocks of the hind legs

PreventionAfter spay/neuter, cut food by 10–20%. Treats no more than 10% of total intake. Weigh and record monthly

Periodontal disease / stomatitis

SignsBad breath, drooling, chewing on one side, resenting the mouth being touched, wanting to eat but not eating, red gums

PreventionGet kittens used to tooth brushing; brush 3+ times a week. Annual oral check from age 3. Have tartar removed at the vet

Hyperthyroidism

SignsAge 10+, losing weight despite a good appetite, restlessness, yowling at night, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate

PreventionIf a senior cat eats well but loses weight, get a blood test. It can be managed with treatment, so early detection is key

Hairballs / constipation

SignsFrequently vomiting hairballs, retching without bringing anything up, small hard stools, straining for a long time in the box

PreventionBrush daily during shedding season. Hairball-control food or cat grass. Increase water intake; if no stool for 3 days, see the vet

Fall from a height

PreventionFall-prevention netting on windows and balconies. Locks on screen doors. Do not let your guard down even on high floors

First aidEven if moving, internal organ or pelvic injuries are possible. Wrap in a towel, keep level in a carrier, and see the vet the same day

Cat fight wounds

PreventionDo not let the cat outdoors. In multi-cat homes, watch compatibility, separate hiding spots and bowls, and reduce fights with spay/neuter

First aidBite wounds abscess after a few days. Wash the wound; if swelling, heat or lethargy appear, see the vet the same day and ask about antibiotics

Burns

PreventionKeep away from stoves and heaters. Beware of low-temperature burns from kotatsu tables and heated carpets; allow free entry and exit

First aidCool the area under running water for 10 minutes. Do not apply ice. If the skin is red or fur is falling out, see the vet the same day

Torn or broken claw

PreventionTrim claws every 2–3 weeks. Reduce curtains and carpets where claws can catch

First aidPress with gauze to stop bleeding. If the claw is torn out at the root or the area swells, see the vet the same day to prevent infection

Cat scratch disease

RouteScratches and bites (bacteria carried by fleas)

PreventionYear-round flea prevention. Wash wounds immediately with soap and running water. See a doctor if lymph nodes swell

Pasteurellosis

RouteBites, scratches, mouth-to-mouth feeding

PreventionDo not feed mouth-to-mouth. If a wound swells or fever develops, see a doctor the same day

Toxoplasmosis

RouteOocysts in feces, raw meat

PreventionClean the litter box daily. Pregnant women should wear gloves or avoid handling it. Do not feed raw meat

Roundworm

RouteEggs in feces reach the mouth via hands or sandboxes

PreventionDeworm kittens. Wash hands after cleaning the litter box. Annual fecal exam

Food

• Complete and balanced food 2–3 times a day; start slightly below the package amount and adjust
• After spay/neuter, switch to a dedicated food or cut the amount by 10–20%
• Senior food from age 7; therapeutic diet if kidney disease is present

Water

• Several water stations in quiet spots. Change daily
• Increase intake with wet food or a water fountain

Toys & play

• Wand toy twice a day, 10–15 minutes of hunting play
• Place several scratchers to draw attention away from walls and furniture
• Put away string, rubber bands and plastic after play

Nest, bed & hideout

• Provide high spots and a box to hide in as an escape
• For senior cats, a warm bed with few steps

Bedding & litter

• One litter box per cat plus one, at least 1.5 times the cat's body length
• Do not switch litter suddenly; mix in gradually
• Remove waste daily; wash the whole box monthly

Cage / housing material

Steel 2–3 tier cage. Free-roaming is the norm; use for visitors or recovery

Size & space

At least 90 cm wide x 60 cm deep x 120 cm high

Layout

• Litter box on the bottom tier, bowls in the middle, bed on top
• Place water away from food bowls and the litter box
• Double-lock the door to prevent escape

Placement notes

• Away from direct sunlight and direct air-conditioner drafts
• Against a quiet wall where the cat can see the family

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Indoor-only. Prevents traffic accidents, infections and fights
• Provide a cat tree for vertical exercise
• Toy play twice a day to prevent obesity and stress

Temperature & humidity

Temperature20–28°C. Senior cats feel the cold, so keep them warm in winter

Humidity40–60%. Dehumidify in the rainy season to prevent mold and skin disease

Summer & winter

• Summer: run the air conditioner continuously at 28°C or below, water in several places
• Winter: watch for low-temperature burns from heaters and for dryness

Nail trimming

Every 2–3 weeks. Cut 2 mm before the quick. If the cat resists, do one claw at a time over several days

Brushing, skin & coat care

Shorthairs 2–3 times a week, daily during shedding season (spring and fall). Reduces shed fur and hairballs

Other care

Brush teeth 3+ times a week. Wipe ears if dirty. From age 7, checkups with blood and urine tests 1–2 times a year

Protection from predators

• Escape-prevention netting on windows and balconies, locks on screen doors
• Separate from dogs and other pets with a gate until they are used to each other
• Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes; discuss preventive medication with your vet

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows string, rubber bands, hair ties and small toy pieces. If vomiting or not eating, do not induce vomiting; see the vet. Never pull string protruding from the mouth or anus

Being stepped on

Cats weave around your feet, so check where the cat is before walking. If the cat limps or resents touch after being stepped on, see the vet the same day

Getting pinched

Tails and paws easily get caught in doors and sliding doors. Use door stoppers. If the tail hangs limp or the cat cannot urinate, see the vet immediately

Falls

Falls from windows and balconies are the most common accident. Screen locks and fall-prevention netting. After a fall, even a lively cat may have internal injuries; see the vet the same day

Escape

Double door at the entrance. Fit a microchip and ID tag. If the cat escapes, search quietly within 50 m of the house at night and place used litter by the front door

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and push the bitten hand gently toward the cat
2. With your other hand, drop a towel or blanket over the cat's head
3. The moment the cat loosens its grip, withdraw your hand
4. Move the cat to another room and leave it alone for 30+ minutes

After the release

Wash the wound under running water for 5+ minutes and disinfect. If swelling, heat or pain develops, see a doctor the same day

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Age, spay/neuter status, medical history, when it started and what happened, photos of vomit or urine, vaccination history

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call the name and poke the body. No response means unconscious
• Watch the chest. Normal breathing is 20–30 breaths per minute
• Feel for a pulse on the inner thigh of a hind leg. Normal is 120–180 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for 5+ minutes
• For a bleeding paw, wrap a bandage over the gauze for pressure
• For a bleeding claw, press on potato starch or styptic powder

Transport

• Line the carrier with a towel, keep it dark and warm
• If breathing is labored, transport in the sternal (chest-down) position