Cats over 11 years old face increasing rates of chronic pain conditions, cognitive dysfunction, and organ disease that are often underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Senior cats experience chronic pain from arthritis, dental disease, and other conditions that they mask through stoicism evolved to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. Behavioral signs like reduced grooming, changes in litter box use, and reluctance to jump are often attributed to aging rather than treatable pain. With appropriate veterinary management including multimodal pain relief, environmental modifications, and dietary support, many senior cats maintain excellent quality of life into their late teens.