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• Cats age well, with great dignity.
• Most cats remain remarkably fit until the last few months of their lives.
• Tom cats that are not neutered generally live two years less that tom cats that are neutered.
• Neutering does not change the longevity of female cats.
• 14 years is a good age for a cat; few will live beyond 16-17 years.
• But there are examples of cats living to 18, 20, or even 25 years.
• Cats normally sleep 18 hours a day, but they sleep more as they get older.
• Cats will become less active in general as they age, and may need their claws clipped.
• An elderly cat's walk may become stiffer and its coat less lustrous.
• But it will still enjoy life, especially a good snooze in the sun.
• An elderly cat may need to have its teeth cleaned more than a younger cat. Pay attention to the cat's teeth and make sure tartar doesn't build up and that the gums are healthy.
• Ask the vet if you should give your elderly cat special food.
• Often elderly cats will experience some type of kidney failure.
• The (necessary) high-protein diet of the cat puts stress on the kidneys.
• An elderly cat with partial kidney failure may respond to treatment and a modification of diet.
• Two signs of kidney failure are weight loss and drinking more water.
• Despite these problems, the elderly cat can continue to live with a good quality of life, being a source of love and companionship for its people.

Source: Understanding Cats -- Their History, Nature and Behavior, by Roger Tabor, The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., Pleasantville, NY, 1995, pp. 128-129.