Cats can live to 20+ years with good care, but aging brings specific welfare challenges including hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and cognitive decline. Proactive senior care dramatically improves quality of life.
Senior cat welfare requires systematic monitoring because cats mask illness and pain remarkably effectively. Annual veterinary checks are inadequate for cats over 10 — bi-annual checks catch hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and hypertension at earlier, more treatable stages. Blood pressure monitoring in senior cats is as important as in elderly humans. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome causes disorientation, nighttime vocalization, and litter box changes that owners often attribute to behavioral problems rather than neurological disease. Multimodal pain management for arthritis — NSAIDs, gabapentin, new monoclonal antibodies — significantly improves quality of life. Environmental modifications (heated beds, ramps, low-sided litter boxes, predictable routines) reduce the impact of reduced mobility and cognitive changes.