Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and Geriatric Wellness

Comprehensive geriatric wellness programmes for cats improve welfare by systematically monitoring and managing age-related changes before they cause significant suffering.

Key Facts

Geriatric cats benefit from systematic assessment of body condition, muscle mass, and organ function
DISHA scoring assesses cognitive dysfunction signs in senior cats
Hypertension is common in geriatric cats and causes organ damage if untreated
Regular weight monitoring detects sarcopenia early allowing intervention
Quality of life assessment tools should be applied regularly in geriatric cats

Welfare Considerations

Geriatric wellness programmes are welfare investments that systematically identify and address age-related changes before they cause significant suffering. Regular comprehensive assessment transforms care quality for older cats.

What You Can Do

Schedule comprehensive geriatric wellness assessments for cats over 12 years
Request muscle condition scoring and cognitive assessment at wellness visits
Monitor blood pressure regularly from age 10 years
Use quality of life tools regularly to track wellbeing trajectory