Senior Catby Debee Paulino Home

The Senior Cat Journal

Understanding changes care.

Science-informed, compassionate resources for ageing, behavior, quality of life and end-of-life support.

AllSenior CareBehaviorQuality of LifeEnd of Life
New resources are growing here

Now published

Begin with these guides.

Black senior cat sitting beside a veterinarian in a calm home setting

Senior Cat Care

When is a cat considered senior?

Cats are generally considered senior after age 10, but age alone does not tell the whole story.

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Veterinarian listening to a caregiver while observing her cat at home

Behaviour

Behaviour changes in older cats: what might they be communicating?

Changes in sleep, vocalisation, interaction or litter tray use are not always ‘just age.’

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Senior cat resting comfortably at home while watching the person beside them

Senior Cat Care

Ageing is not a disease: what naturally changes in a senior cat?

Learn what may change as cats age, which signs should not be dismissed as old age, and when to contact your veterinary team.

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Senior cat resting comfortably in a home arranged to make daily routines easier.

Senior cat care

Everyday care for senior cats: what needs to change at home?

Learn how to adapt food, water, litter trays, rest, mobility, grooming and interaction when caring for a senior cat at home.

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Senior cat watching through a window in an accessible, enriched home environment.

Wellbeing and environment

Wellbeing also means reducing stress: environmental enrichment for senior cats

Learn how to adapt play, exploration, feeding, rest and interaction to reduce stress and enrich a senior cat’s life.

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Senior cat resting comfortably near a trusted person in a calm home.

Quality of life

Quality of life in senior cats: noticing what still matters to them

Learn how to observe comfort, mobility, eating, behaviour and meaningful experiences when assessing a senior cat’s quality of life.

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Senior cat moving through a calm, accessible home environment.

Ageing and health

Illness in later life: what changes when a senior cat becomes unwell

How to recognise illness and reorganise routine, environment and priorities without reducing a cat to a diagnosis.

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Cat resting comfortably near a trusted person in a calm home.

Palliative care

When cure is not possible: care continues

When cure is no longer possible, there is still much to care for. Understand feline palliative care and how to build a dignified plan.

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Senior cat resting comfortably at home while their family prepares a care plan.

Care planning

Planning while there is time: care decisions before a crisis

How to organise signs, contacts, priorities and possible decisions before a senior cat faces a crisis.

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More thoughtful guidance is on the way.

Future essays will explore home adaptations, pain, quality of life, anticipatory grief and end-of-life decisions.