Taking out a good pet insurance when yourcat is young is a great idea, no matter what kind of pet you own, especially asyour cat begins to age and is more susceptible to illness, or coming intoharm's way.

There are many age-related illness andaches that can affect your senior cat, but keep a sharp eye on him or her andyou could spot many of these problems before they begin to cause your pet pain.

Your veterinarian will most likely alsobegin to check that your cat is still intop health as the animal ages, and will run tests on your pets internal organsto be sure everything is functioning as it should.

Most vets recommend that owners understandthat age itself is not a disease, but instead just means that pets have anincreased likelihood of experiencing certain problems and illnesses. Yourveterinarian will also try to counter the most common problems and ensure thatyour cat has the best quality of life possible.

Geriatriccat owners must increase their awareness of how their cat is acting andfeeling, as it is important to be able to recognize strange behaviour in yourcat. If your cat is displaying any of the following signs or symptoms, a tripto the vet is warranted:

Increased or decreased water intake andurination, which could be a sign of a kidney problem; weight loss or decreasedappetite which could be a sign of hyperthyroidism; vomiting or diarrhoea, failureto groom, and any change in activity level. If your cat is looking weak and isnot jumping or has begun to limp this could mean your cat has developedarthritis.

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