Cats are living longer than ever, but ageing brings multiple concurrent health challenges. Proactive management of senior cat health maintains quality of life and catches disease before suffering becomes severe.
Senior cat welfare requires a shift from reactive to proactive healthcare. Many conditions that cause significant suffering in older cats — arthritis, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism — develop gradually and are adapted to by stoic animals before owners recognise the problem. Regular veterinary screening — blood pressure, kidney function, thyroid levels, and dental assessment — catches disease earlier and allows intervention before suffering becomes severe. Environmental modifications that reduce the physical demands of daily life are simple, low-cost welfare improvements. Pain management for osteoarthritis, which is nearly universal in older cats, is frequently underutilised and represents a major opportunity for welfare improvement.