Last Updated: 06/08/2026
How to Care for a Senior Cat
Our vet's complete guide to senior cat care: nutrition, joint health, home adaptations, cognitive changes, and common illnesses to watch for.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
Did you know that according to Guinness World Records, the oldest cat ever lived to be 38 years and 3 days old? That's an incredible feat! While most cats don't reach such a ripe age, it's important to remember that feline aging is much faster than human aging.
From nutrition to grooming, we've put together a complete guide to senior cat care.
When is a cat considered senior?
Cats actually move through several distinct life stages as they age, and 'senior' doesn't kick in as early as many people think. The general stages are:
- Mature (7-10 years): Your cat is in their middle age. They may be a little less active than their kitten days, but are generally still in good health.
- Senior (10-14 years): This is when age-related health conditions become more likely, and regular vet monitoring becomes especially important.
- Geriatric (15+ years): Cats in this category need closer attention to mobility, cognition, and weight.
Knowing which stage your cat is in helps you tailor their care - and is a good conversation starter with your vet at their next check-up.
What should senior cats eat?
As our cats age, they require different nutrition to help keep them happy and healthy. Senior cat diets are specifically formulated to support ageing bodies - with ingredients targeting joint health, lean muscle mass, kidney function, and immune support.
For a detailed breakdown of what to look for - plus our top picks - see our Best Senior Cat Food guide.
As cats age, the likelihood of conditions like kidney disease, dental disease and hyperthyroidism increases - so it's always worth checking with your vet about the best diet for your individual cat. Many senior cats benefit from a veterinary therapeutic cat food tailored to their specific health needs.
How can I support my senior cat's joints?
Just like humans, cats can start to suffer from arthritis and joint pain as they age. However, they don't typically show their pain with an easy-to-spot limp - cats are notoriously stoic. Signs to watch for include reluctance to jump onto furniture, reduced grooming over the hips, and vocalising when picked up.
For a full guide to managing arthritis in cats - including supplements, diets, and medications - see Arthritis Care for Cats.
How can I make my home more comfortable for a senior cat?
Small changes around the home can make a big difference for a senior cat with stiff joints or reduced mobility. A few easy wins:
- Low-entry litter boxes so your cat doesn't have to step over a high rim
- Heated or orthopaedic beds to cushion sore joints - see our cat bed buying guide for options
- Ramps or steps up to favourite resting spots so jumping isn't required
- Non-slip mats on slippery floors to help them get around confidently
- Keep food, water, litter and resting spots on the same level so nothing requires a jump or a flight of stairs.
For a full rundown of home modifications, see Home Care for Cats with Arthritis.
Do senior cats show signs of cognitive decline?
Cognitive changes are more common in older cats than many owners realise. Signs to look out for include confusion or disorientation, loud vocalising at night in a previously quiet cat, forgetting the location of the litter box, and seeming less interactive than usual.
These signs can point to feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (the cat equivalent of dementia), but they can also overlap with other medical conditions so a vet check is always the right first step.
For more information, see Cat Dementia: Signs, Symptoms and Management.
How much exercise does a senior cat need?
Slowing down doesn’t mean stopping. Gentle, regular activity helps senior cats keep muscle tone, manage their weight, support stiff joints. Physical and mental enrichment are essential keep your cat content, mentally sharp and helps to reduce boredom and cognitive decline.
Low impact activities for senior cats include:
- Short, frequent play sessions with wand toys or a slow-moving ‘prey’ toy along the floor
- Food puzzles and treat-dispensing toys to keep their mind working at mealtimes
- Easy access furniture including low cat trees and wide perches and shelves for your cat to climb
Let your cat set the pace and stop play if needed. For more on tailoring activity to your cat’s age, see how much exercise do cats need?.
What health problems are common in senior cats?
As your cat ages, their risk of developing certain diseases increases. Common illnesses in senior cats include kidney failure, diabetes, urinary disease, hyperthyroidism, and dental disease. It is important to know the signs to watch for that may be an early indicator of these diseases.
Signs and symptoms of concern in elderly cats:
- Drinking more water than usual (polydipsia) or urinating a greater volume (polyuria) - may indicate kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or urinary disease.
- Reduced appetite - may indicate dental disease, kidney failure, or general illnesses such as infections.
- Increased appetite - can indicate hyperthyroidism or diabetes.
- Weight loss - can indicate any of the common illnesses.
- Vomiting - can indicate gastrointestinal disease, as well as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism.
From age 10, cats should have a vet check-up every six months rather than annually, as health conditions in senior cats can progress quickly and early detection significantly improves outcomes.
By keeping your senior cat's health and wellbeing needs in mind you can help to ensure that they live a long and happy life with you. Who knows, maybe they will even be the next guinness world record holder!
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 6 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
