Senior cats have changing welfare needs as cognitive function declines and mobility decreases, requiring environmental adaptations that maintain quality of life in animals that may spend a decade or more in later life.
Senior cat welfare requires active adaptation to changing needs rather than passive continuity of existing provision. A cat that previously jumped to high perches comfortably may be experiencing pain on every attempt but continue trying from habit — the welfare cost is invisible without specific assessment. Arthritis is dramatically underdiagnosed in cats because pain expression is subtle and owners rarely seek assessment proactively. The welfare obligation for senior pets is proportionate to their increased vulnerability: regular pain assessment, environmental modification as mobility changes, and honest discussion of quality of life as aging progresses are all components of responsible senior cat guardianship.