Cats aged 11 and older have specific health and welfare needs that are frequently underrecognised. Proactive geriatric care dramatically improves quality of life for senior and elderly cats.
Senior cats are among the most welfare-challenged companion animals because their suffering is routinely invisible. Unlike dogs, cats evolved to mask signs of pain and vulnerability — a survival strategy that leads owners and veterinarians to miss chronic conditions until they are advanced. Arthritis, dental disease, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism frequently occur together in elderly cats and interact in complex ways. Quality-of-life assessment tools like the GFAS feline QoL scale help owners and vets make better decisions. Environmental modifications — ramps, heated beds, lower-sided litter trays, and easy food access — make enormous differences to arthritic cats. Regular geriatric health screens (every 6 months for cats over 12) enable earlier intervention.