My cats are adopted cats so I don’t know their actual birth dates. It was estimated that they were about 2 years old when we got them. I hadn’t realized it, but that makes them about 8 years old now! How time flies!

That means they are definitely not kittens, nor are they teens or even young adults. These boys are heading into middle age! Some call a cat over 7 a senior cat, but I think that’s pushing it. I don’t really consider a cat a senior until 10 or 12. Changes in my cats have been gradual, so I didn’t notice them until now when I stop to think about it. I realize that they both used to be more playful. Rocco especially, has been not much more than a lump, napping most of the day for the past few months. I thought his extra laziness was due to colder weather where we live now, but perhaps age has something to do with it. I made a change and suddenly his energy is back up! He seems more like his frisky old self again, so weather can’t be all there was to it.

If one is looking for him, chances are great that Rocco is napping on the window sill, napping on my bed, or napping on the couch. Life has been pretty routine since he settled in to his new surroundings after moving; eat, nap, eat, nap, stretch, eat, nap. With all the hustle and bustle, his excessive napping went unnoticed, for the most part. That is, until he got some energy back and became playful again! I’ll get to why that is, shortly.

Because changes in cats as they age, just as with people, are slow and subtle, you might be overlooking changes in your cat as well. It’s not good to let age creep up and surprise us. It’s better to recognize the signs so we can better meet the needs of our kitties.

Signs of Aging in Cats

Looks for the TAILS:

• Thinking – Your pet may be confused by everyday things, such as how to find their food
• Activity – Naps are more appealing than playing
• Interactions – May not socialize with you as much
• Loss of Control – Has started having accidents
• Sleep-Wake Cycle – Sleeping patterns have changed with more awake time at night

If you have noticed any of these signs, it may be time for a visit to the vet. Vet check ups and changing of your pet’s food to meet their changing needs are the keys to keeping your cat healthy and happy.

How did Rocco get his energy back?

This post is sponsored by Hill’s® Science Diet® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the new Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality pet food for cats and dogs over the age of 7, but Rascal and Rocco only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

One day recently I noticed Rocco was in a frisky mood. I realized I hadn’t seen him play in quite a while. He and Rascal were chasing each other around the house. Then Rocco found a toy mousey and batted it around. I couldn’t help but join in, so I tossed a crumpled piece of paper his way and he flipped around and caught it. We played for a bit and since that day, he’s been much more playful! There is only one thing that changed, and I’m really liking the change! Rocco seems like he’s got his spunk back, his playfulness that he had when we first got him. There’s still a kitten in him somewhere in there!

I had switched Rocco’s food to the new Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality cat food for cat’s ages 7 and older about eight weeks ago. It was only a few days, however, after I changed his food that I noticed the change in him. I love seeing him playful again! Enjoying life and rough housing with his brother, Rascal.

Look at those wild eyes! He’s about to pounce.

Just tonight my husband was playing with him in the living room with a cat toy teaser wand and I watched, smiling, as Rocco pounced to kill the little red fuzz ball at the end of the string. This change is good for my husband, too! He gets to play with his kitty again! I could tell they were both enjoying the time together and I enjoyed watching them play. Rocco acts like he feels younger and he has the energy of a younger version of himself. I am amazed how quickly Hills Youthful Vitality cat food made a difference!

Hills Youthful Vitality dry cat food for senior pets (cats over 7 years old) is filled with nutrition designed specially for older cats. This food is designed to support healthy brain function and a beautiful soft coat as well as to boost energy in your cat.

Rocco loves the taste and it really has transported him back in time to a more youthful feeling kitty. This pretty much sums up his behavior lately!

Try new Hill’s® Science Diet® Youthful Vitality for your 7+ pet and fight the effects of aging.

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hill’s® Science Diet® . The opinions and text are all mine.