I’ve currently got a 16 year old cat, a 14 year old, a 13, 10 and 8 year old cat, and only the 10 year old has arthritis - but that’s because he was struck by a car before we got him and had major hip damage when he was about three years old. He’s walked stiffly since then, and I can tell he’s bothered by the weather sometimes with it.

The three who have passed on didn’t exhibit any signs before hand. Amber had a seizure in the middle of the night, and another as I was bringing the carrier, and ended up paralyzed from it when she was 18 and 1/2. Rossi went into renal failure after a week of not feeling good, we made the decision to euthenize after he showed no improvement and was in considerable pain. He was 19. And Sylvester was diagnosed with cancer, was operated on, and was with us for another year before it spread through his whole lymph system. When he started retaining water in his abdomen it was a sign that he would not be able to continue. He was two months shy of 20 years old at that point. ALL of them could jump up on furniture, no signs of arthritis.

You definitely need to get your cat in for blood work, urinalysis and “feely” exam. At ten he is considered a senior cat. There are many treatable health problems with older cats (as with people). They are not a death sentence. Old age is not a disease!

At ten your cat is in his middle fifties and can have many more great years with appropriate veterinary support.

Cameo had pretty serious arthritis and was given shots for that for several years. I have a 12 year old cat who has arthritis in his hips (most likely from a congental deformity). He is not currently getting any treatment for it.

I must say, my first cat was an outdoor cat who came in when he wanted in, & was very loveable & cuddly on his schedule. I fed him OTC cat food & he had 3 surgeries over his life due to getting in fights with other toms in the neighborhood. He was “fixed” at 7 months of age, but could still get it on with the ladies - don’t ask me.

He was active right up until the night before I had to take him in to the vet to put him to sleep at age 21.5 years old, because the left side of his jaw gave way at 3a.m. & I had to hold & baby him until the vet’s office opened at 7:30a.m.

Since then, I’ve only had indoor cats, been careful with their diets & they seem to have all kinds of medical problems & only live to be 10 or 11 years old.

Go figure ! ! !

The site listed above will tell you precisely his age based on his diet environment ETC.

Here is what Kitties are on average.

Cat Years People Years
6 months 10 years
8 months 13 years
12 months 15 years
2 years 24 years
4 years 32 years
6 years 40 years
8 years 48 years
10 years 56 years
12 years 64 years
13 years 72 years
14 years 75 Years
16 years 80 years
18 years 88 years
20 years 96 years
21 years 100 years