Why Blood Pressure Monitoring Matters for Older Cats: Proactive Senior Cat Care at Forestside Vets Belfast

Straightforward blood pressure monitoring. Most cats tolerate this extremely well, especially when it becomes part of their routine.

As our cats get older, their healthcare needs change - often in ways that aren’t obvious at home. One of the most important (and most overlooked) aspects of senior cat health is blood pressure monitoring. Here at Forestside Vets, we believe in preventing problems rather than waiting for them to appear. That’s why we recommend annual blood pressure checks and fundus (eye) examinations for all cats aged 7 years and older.

This proactive approach helps us protect your cat’s long-term health, detect issues early, and avoid the serious consequences of untreated hypertension.

A Proactive Approach

Cats are masters at hiding illness. Even serious health conditions can remain invisible until they reach a crisis point. High blood pressure - also known as feline hypertension - is a prime example.

Hypertension in cats is often silent

Most cats with hypertension show no symptoms at all until damage has already occurred. By the time clinical signs appear, organ injury may be advanced or irreversible.

At Forestside Vets, we don’t want to wait for these signs. Our goal is early detection, early intervention, and prevention of avoidable suffering.

Unchecked high blood pressure can damage vital organs

Feline hypertension can lead to:

• Eye damage: retinal bleeding, swelling, or complete retinal detachment, sometimes causing sudden blindness

• Kidney damage: hypertension both worsens and results from chronic kidney disease

• Heart strain: thickening of the heart muscle and reduced cardiac function

• Brain and neurological problems: seizures, disorientation, or sudden neurological events

These changes can happen quietly, with no warning at home.

Aging dramatically increases the risk

Studies show a clear rise in blood pressure as cats age, particularly after 7 years, and even more after 11 years.

This is why our veterinary team advise blood pressure measurement as a standard part of senior cat care.

Our Senior Cat Health Protocol at Forestside Vets

✔ Annual Blood Pressure Checks From Age 7

Beginning at age 7, we recommend every cat has a yearly blood pressure measurement. This lets us:

• Detect increases early

• Establish a baseline for comparison

• Spot creeping changes before they cause damage

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✔ More Frequent Monitoring for At-Risk Cats

Cats with chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or previous BP concerns may need monitoring every 3-6 months.

✔ Annual Fundus (Eye) Examination

At every senior check-up, we also perform a fundus exam - a quick, non-invasive look at the retina. The eyes often reveal early abnormalities linked to high blood pressure before you notice anything at home.

In fact:

• Up to 28.8% of cats over 8 years show retinal changes

• This rises to 45.7% in cats over 10

Catching these early can prevent sudden blindness.

How We Measure Blood Pressure in Cats

Our Belfast clinic uses cat-friendly, stress-minimising methods:

• A quiet, calm consultation room

• A small cuff placed gently on the leg or tail

• No needles

• No sedation

• Multiple readings averaged for accuracy

Most cats tolerate this extremely well, especially when it becomes part of their routine.

Why Early Detection Makes All the Difference

By checking blood pressure early and regularly, we can:

• Prevent organ damage

• Preserve eyesight

• Improve long-term kidney and heart health

• Reduce emergency visits

• Give your cat more happy, comfortable years

Proactive care is kinder, safer, and more effective.

Learn More About Feline Hypertension

If you’d like to explore the evidence behind our recommendations, these trusted resources are a good place to start:

• ISFM Hypertension Guidelines

  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11119534/

• International Cat Care - Senior Cat Wellness

  https://icatcare.org/resources/cat-friendly-clinic/cat-friendly-clinic-wellness-programmes.pdf

• PetMD - High Blood Pressure in Cats

  https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/cardiovascular/c_ct_systemic_hypertension

Book Your Senior Cat’s Wellness Check at Forestside Vets

If your cat is 7 years or older, now is the perfect time to start routine blood pressure monitoring. Our team is here to make the process calm, gentle, and stress-free - and to keep your cat healthy for as long as possible.

📞 Call us today to book a senior wellness appointment.

Your cat’s long-term health is worth being proactive.