Reply #4: I've had dealings with two elderly cats in my lifetime [View All]

[MrsMatt]

one passed on at 19, the current one is 17. They both became pretty skinny as they got older.

Bettina my 19 year old developed severe arthritis, kidney problems and thyroid issues. We started giving her baby aspirin for the pain (1/2 tablet every 3 days), but had to move up to prednisone (10mg / day). She got around pretty good until the last year of life, when she could no longer hear or see. But she still managed to go up and down the stairs in our house, but would use the wall of the stairwell to help her keep her balance (we tried to keep her on one level, but she insisted on going where she wanted when she wanted).

My current cat Nancy has a very bony backbone, but is otherwise extremely healthy and limber for her age. She has mild arthritis and may have thyroid condiition similar to that of Bettina that we are keeping an eye on. She eats fine, but sometimes forgets where the litter box is and uses my clothing (the vet thinks she may be developing kitty dementia). She's also gotten lax in her grooming - she used to be very fastidious but now is riddled with mats that she fights to keep me from either combing or cutting out.

Good luck with Harry - he sounds normal to me, just getting old.

on edit - he's beautiful!