Cats in their final years — over 15 — require adapted care that addresses the specific challenges of extreme old age while maintaining quality of life for as long as possible.
Geriatric cats require a welfare approach that shifts from disease treatment toward quality of life optimization. A 17-year-old cat with CKD, arthritis, and hyperthyroidism is not going to become disease-free — but with appropriate management of each condition, they can have months or years of genuinely good daily experience. The welfare priority is identifying and managing pain (particularly arthritis, which causes extensive suffering when unaddressed), maintaining appetite and hydration, and preserving mental engagement. Owners who recognize the geriatric life stage as one requiring specific adaptations — lower litter boxes, ramps, softer food, heated sleeping areas — dramatically improve welfare in the final chapter of their cat's life.