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Barring catastrophic injury or illness, most feline models age very gracefully. So gracefully, in fact, that the casual observer might not be able to tell the difference between a 15-year-old feline and a 5-year-old model. Nevertheless, genetic and environmental factors make a certain amount of system degradation inevitable.
Felines aged 10 years or older are considered to be "seniors." However, the onset of old age doesn't mean that an endless series of malfunctions is in store. To head off problems, it is important to monitor the feline's appearance and behavior and also to schedule regular maintenance inspections with your veterinarian (some recommend twice-a-year visits for older felines). Older cats exercise less and thus need fewer calories, yet their less-efficient metabolism also requires a higher-quality fuel.
The Cat Owner's Manual is a basic guide to cat care. The book was written by a celebrated veterinarian and an acclaimed author. It provides cat owners with well-researched and helpful information presented in a lighthearted manner. The creators chose to write the book in a style similar to what you'd find in "operating instructions" for a car or computer. Of course they--and we--respect the fact that our beloved pets are not products or machines!