My cat Melina turned 16 this year. Although his beautiful tortoiseshell coat has faded a bit, he is still in severe pain. personalitythey live according to the tortie stereotype. As an adult cat, he needs extra care. So how can we help our senior cats be as happy as possible?
Cats are considered mature between 7 and 10 years old, between 10 and 14 years old and older than 15 years old. As cats grow older, they experience physiological changes similar to the physiological changes humans experience as they age. We can do a lot to improve their lives.
Stay on top of medical issues
Veterinarian visits should be more frequent as cats grow. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association recommends that cats 10-15 years of age should visit their veterinarian twice a year, and every four months for cats over 15 years of age (Ray et al 2021). It is assumed that they are healthy; more visits are needed if your cat has medical problems.
Observe your cat at home so you can report any changes you notice to the vet. Pain due to problems such as degenerative joint disease or dental problems is more common in older cats. Ask yourself, are they still jumping up and down the furniture like they used to, and are they going up and down the stairs like they used to? For example, do they still jump from the table to the floor? And if they do, do they put their feet first on the table to reduce their jumping distance? Do they still go up their favorite cat tree? Also, ask yourself if their interactions with you are still as normal and if they meow more at odd times like midnight. If you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior, notify your veterinarian.
Changing the environment for your big cat
Some corrections to environment can help your older cat to be more comfortable. Place a step or ramp to help them reach their favorite high resting places, such as the couch. Make sure food and water bowls are available for them. Older cats in particular may prefer a wider, lower bowl for their water. They may need litter boxes with lower entrances that make it easier to get in and out. Older cats may also prefer a softer surface for scratching posts, so if you don’t already have a carpet scratching post, now is a good time to get one.
There are some guidelines for a cat’s environment called the five pillars (Ellis et al. 2013). They are designed for every cat, so now is a good time to make sure you meet these five pillars. This means having multiple resources for your cat (such as beds, litter boxes, food bowls, etc.) that are separate from each other. This means understanding their excellent sense of smell, such as not using scented cleaners near their litter box. This means that your interactions with your cat are positive and predictable. This means making sure your cat has a safe space; and now that they are older, they may need steps or ramps to reach their safe space. And that means making sure they still have opportunities for play and predatory behavior.
Communicate and play with your big cat
However, unfortunately it turns out that older cats may be less involved in play. One study found that older cats play less with toys than older, mature cats (Hoummady et al 2026). A favorite toy of all these age groups is the fishing rod toy (also known as the fishing rod toy). People may think that their older cat is not interested in play, but remember that opportunities for play and predatory behavior are one of the five pillars. That’s why it’s important to take time to play with your cat.
Older and older cats are also less likely to feed through puzzle food toys (Hoummady et al 2026). This may be partly because older cats feed more on wet food, although you can still treat them to wet food by putting it in small bowls and hiding it for them to find. But it could also be that people find it harder to introduce new food toys to older cats. When feeding your cat a new puzzle toy, always make it very easy for them and put treats in it to get their attention. Watch them for signs of frustration and give them a helping hand if needed. Another way older and older cats lose weight compared to mature cats is their supply fragrance enrichment, such as cat and silver.
Older cats are more likely to need help grooming and trimming their claws. This is a good reason why cats of all ages should be used to washing and grooming their paws if they need help with this. Of course, some long-haired cats may need regular grooming throughout their lives.
If you are struggling to get your cat to the vet, you should know that it is never too late to teach your cat to love your cat. Cats can learn at any age, and learning with positive reinforcement can be fun for them. If you need help, at the end of my book is a plan for teaching your cat to love its carrier. Full. Remember to keep the cat in a room that your cat uses most often. Ideally, it will be a place where they can rest and relax.
As always, consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
