Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from their humans, and advances in veterinary medicine. Most experts consider a cat's "senior years" to begin on her 10th birthday. After this point, aging process begins to slow in even most playful feline. Yet, with a little extra attention from her owner, Miss Kitty might enjoy another 5-10 years of life and love.

Just as with humans, cats often lose ability to hear as they age. This often goes unnoticed by owners, who might chalk their cat's lack of response to typical feline aloofness. Without keen hearing and vision, however, an older cat is more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on street. It is best to keep an older cat indoors. If she loves fresh air, make sure you supervise her in a protected area.

Even most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater in her later years. As an older cat's senses of smell and taste begin to diminish, she becomes less interested in her food. Adding moist food and warming her meals will amplify scent and make it more tantalizing. Moist food will increase amount of water in your cat's diet.

It is important to keep fresh water available for your older cat, and to monitor her drinking habits. Her natural thirst drive can fade with age, causing her to become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly. Take note of about how much water your cat drinks each day. If amount suddenly drops, and you know she is not getting water from any other source, contact your veterinarian.

Even most dedicated cat lover has little patience with a cat that doesn't use its litter box. Yet, patience is key to creating litter box success. A positive introduction when young, and simple housekeeping on your part will solve most problems.

Most cats instinctively use litter box. However if you see your kitten crouching or sniffing in a corner lift her and place her in a litter tray - this is a sign of oncoming urination. If your kitten is not using litter box you should place her in box every morning.

It is important for your cat to be able to easily access litter box. If you have a large home, put litter boxes in more than one place. If your house has many levels, make sure each floor is equipped with a litter box. As in real estate, location is crucial to your cat successfully using litter box. The best spot offers your cat a certain amount of privacy, but not so out of way that you forget to clean it. Some people put litter box in a seldom-used closet. Be sure, however, to use a hard-rubber stop to keep door, or install a pet door so your cat can go in and out whenever she wants.

If you need to move a litter tray you should move it by only a few feet at a time. If cat stops using it you have probably moved it too far.

If your cat doesn't use her litter box study situation carefully for reason(s) why.