Aging cats have specific health and welfare needs that are frequently overlooked, with proactive geriatric screening enabling earlier diagnosis and management of conditions that affect quality of life.
Aging cats represent a population with high rates of undiagnosed chronic disease causing avoidable welfare compromise. The stoic nature of cats and gradual onset of many age-related conditions means owners may miss or normalize significant changes in comfort and capability. Proactive geriatric screening transforms welfare by identifying conditions at earlier, more treatable stages. Simple environmental modifications for arthritic cats improve mobility and quality of life substantially. End-of-life quality-of-life assessment is an important welfare responsibility for owners of aging cats.