Cats are living longer than ever, making geriatric welfare an increasingly important topic. Understanding age-related changes helps owners recognise and address declining health and quality of life.
Senior cat welfare requires proactive veterinary monitoring because cats are such effective maskers of illness. Conditions including kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and arthritis are common, progressive, and very manageable when caught early — but easily missed until advanced if owners wait for obvious clinical signs. Six-monthly veterinary checks for cats over 11, combined with home environmental modifications that accommodate reduced mobility and cognitive changes, make the difference between comfortable and compromised old age.