Grace in the Golden Years: A Senior Cat Wellness Checklist

Age arrives on silent paws. What honors a senior cat is not sentiment but steady routine: measured nutrition, gentle movement, and early notice when something small becomes something serious.

Monthly

• Weight & body condition score: tiny drifts matter; log to a chart.

• Grooming audit: mats signal stiffness—assist with soft brushing.

• Hydration check: add water fountains; offer warmed wet food.

Every 6–12 Months (with your veterinarian)

• Bloodwork & urinalysis to screen kidneys, thyroid, glucose.

• Dental review: oral pain hides in quiet appetites.

• Vision/hearing: adjust lighting and approach cues accordingly.

Daily Comforts

• Low-entry litter box with high walls for dignity.

• Heated perch capped around 38–40 °C; avoid direct hot pads for long stretches.

• Joint-friendly play: slow wand arcs, puzzle feeders.

Home Red Flags

• Increased thirst/urination, weight loss, night calling, new hiding, constipation. Early contact prevents late regrets.

Care is a metronome: small acts, repeated—warmth, water, patience, and records kept neatly.