Senior cats hide pain until routine tasks become hard—watch for reduced jumping to counters, matted fur on the lower back, or skipping the litter box step. A simple weekly checklist (appetite, weight, grooming, mobility, mood) catches arthritis and dental disease weeks before obvious limping appears.
Key Points
- Mobility red flags: hesitating before furniture jumps, sleeping only on floor level, or stiff gait for 2–3 steps after naps.
- Grooming decline: oily coat on the spine, claw tips catching on carpets because stretching to scratch posts hurts.
- Litter box clues: accidents beside a high-sided box may mean hip or knee pain—not spite or dementia.
- Appetite shift: chewing on one side, dropping kibble, or preferring wet food only often tracks dental abscesses in cats over 10.
- Weight loss of 5–10% over 3 months—even with normal eating—needs bloodwork; hyperthyroid and kidney disease masquerade as "just aging."
Practical Tips
- Weigh your cat monthly on the same scale; record to the nearest 0.1 lb (0.05 kg).
- Add pet stairs or ramps to favorite perches before your cat stops trying—preserving movement slows muscle loss.
- Share a 30-day checklist with your vet at senior visits instead of relying on memory of "when it started."
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Contact your vet if your pet shows ongoing symptoms.