November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, a month that reminds us of all the incredible advantages that come with welcoming a senior dog or senior cat into your family.

When you adopted your new kitten several years ago, you likely took steps to “kitten proof” your home and make it safer for your new furry family member. You may have relocated breakable décor, locked up cleaning chemicals, and become better about not leaving hair ties lying around for your cat to find. Now, as your feline friend is getting older, you probably don’t need to worry so much about them getting into things they shouldn’t.

Did you know that the Blue Cross has found that domesticated cats can live to 20 years of age? That’s great news for all of us in the cat-crazy crowd but, as veterinarians, these findings also motivate us to share awareness on how to care for senior cats.

Let's get one thing straight—kittens are universally adored because, dang, they're cute. They are playful, mischievous, and there always seems to be a smile associated with watching a kitten play with a paper ball or following a laser pointer. But here you sit, thinking about adopting a senior cat? How did I know this? You would not have clicked on this blog if you weren’t debating the idea.

Have an older pet at home? 

Just like humans, pets can develop a number of new health issues as they enter their senior years. Often attributed to simply “slowing down,” it is not uncommon for many of these age-related problems to go untreated or even unnoticed. However, many of these changes can be effectively managed with proper veterinary care.

Common age-related medical issues in pets include:

Degenerative brain disease, or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), is far more common than you may think. CDS is defined as a loss in learning, memory, and awareness. It results in varying stages of dementia.