Senior cats have specific health and environmental needs that, when met, allow many to enjoy comfortable, happy lives well into their teens and beyond.
Senior cats experience a collection of age-related health changes that require proactive management to prevent unnecessary suffering. The most common conditions - kidney disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and dental disease - are often manageable when caught early, but can cause significant suffering when undetected. Owners often attribute reduced activity and behavior changes to 'just getting old' when treatable medical conditions are actually responsible. Arthritis in particular is dramatically underdiagnosed and undertreated in elderly cats. Environmental modifications including ramps, lower litter boxes, heated beds, and easier access to food and water can make enormous differences to the comfort of arthritic senior cats without requiring medication.