Cats are living longer than ever, with many reaching 15-20 years. Understanding the specific needs and common conditions of senior cats helps owners support quality of life through aging.
Senior cats face a cluster of conditions that can severely impact quality of life when unrecognized or undertreated. A particular challenge is that cats mask pain and illness effectively, meaning significant suffering may go undetected. Owners often attribute behavioral changes in older cats — reduced activity, altered eating, changed litter box use — to normal aging rather than treatable conditions. Twice-yearly veterinary visits for senior cats enable earlier detection of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, dental disease, and arthritis. Pain management for feline osteoarthritis has improved dramatically with newer medications approved specifically for cats, enabling significant welfare improvement in affected individuals.