Caring for a Senior Cat: The Complete Guide

The great pretenders

Cats mask illness as a survival instinct, so senior problems surface late. The big four to watch: kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis and dental disease — all common past ten, all far more manageable when caught early with senior bloodwork.

Arthritis hides in habits

Senior cats rarely limp; they just stop jumping to the windowsill, groom less (scruffy coat, especially the back), hesitate at stairs, or miss the litter box because climbing in hurts. These are pain signs, not aging quirks — and cat arthritis is treatable.

Home adjustments

Low-sided litter boxes on every floor, steps or ramps to favorite perches, raised food and water bowls, warm draft-free beds, and gentle brushing help where grooming has lapsed. Small changes, big dignity.

The senior schedule

Twice-yearly checkups with blood pressure, bloodwork and weight; report drinking changes, weight loss and appetite shifts immediately. A senior cat losing weight while eating well is a lab test, not a mystery. Well-managed senior cats routinely thrive into their late teens.