Comprehensive multimodal welfare assessment for geriatric cats integrates pain evaluation, cognitive function, social behavior, and quality of life to guide individualized care.
Geriatric cat welfare requires a systems approach because individual conditions interact with each other and with the aging body in ways that make single-condition management insufficient. A cat with untreated arthritis eats less, contributing to muscle wasting that exacerbates mobility problems. A cat with dental pain reduces social interaction that owners interpret as cognitive decline. Multimodal assessment disciplines clinicians and owners to evaluate the full welfare picture rather than treating presenting complaints in isolation. The quality of life focus of geriatric feline care reflects an ethical commitment to the full welfare experience of aging cats, not just management of laboratory values.