Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Geriatric Wellness and Quality of Life

Geriatric cats benefit from comprehensive wellness assessment addressing the multiple age-related changes affecting quality of life.

Key Facts

Cats aged 15 years and over are considered geriatric with multiple concurrent conditions common
Chronic pain, cognitive dysfunction, organ disease and sensory decline often coexist in geriatric cats
Multi-parameter assessment including pain, cognitive function and organ health guides management
Quality of life scales tailored for cats help owners and vets make treatment decisions
Palliative care principles applied to geriatric cats maintain comfort in final years

Welfare Considerations

Geriatric cat welfare requires active assessment of multiple concurrent conditions rather than attribution of all changes to old age. Each condition identified and managed improves quality of life in the final years of life.

What You Can Do

Schedule six-monthly or more frequent wellness checks for geriatric cats
Use validated quality of life assessment tools to monitor your geriatric cat's welfare at home
Pursue active management of all identified conditions rather than accepting age-related changes as untreatable