Cats are living longer than ever, but longer lives bring new welfare challenges. Understanding the common health problems of senior cats and how to maintain quality of life through the later years is essential for compassionate ownership.
The welfare of senior cats is often compromised by conditions that are either unrecognised or under-managed. Osteoarthritis is a prime example - affecting the vast majority of geriatric cats but rarely diagnosed because cats mask pain exquisitely and owners interpret reduced activity as 'slowing down with age' rather than pain. Chronic kidney disease causes nausea, lethargy, and dehydration in later stages. Dental disease causes ongoing oral pain. Hyperthyroidism left untreated causes progressive wasting and cardiovascular stress. Regular veterinary monitoring of older cats is the critical intervention - many of these conditions are manageable with treatment, and early detection improves both welfare and longevity.