How to care for a senior cat: comfort, water and easy access

Many vets count a cat as senior from around 11 years, though every cat ages at their own pace. The best things you can do are watch for changes, see your vet when you spot one, and make home easier: a warm, sheltered bed, everything on one floor, water they want to drink and a little help with grooming.

When does a cat count as senior?

Around 11 years is the common line, but it is a guide, not a switch. Some cats are still racing up the stairs at 14, while others slow down sooner.

What you see matters more than the number. Your cat's routines will tell you when it is time to make a few changes.

Signs to watch for

Cats are good at hiding discomfort, so small changes are worth noticing. Keep an eye out for:

• Sleeping more, or sleeping in new places
• Stiffness after a nap, or hesitating before a jump they used to make easily
• Going outside the litter box
• Drinking noticeably more or less than usual
• Grooming less, so the coat looks greasy, scruffy or matted, especially along the back
• Changes in appetite, weight or mood

None of these is just old age until your vet says so. Many have causes that can be treated or managed, so book a visit when you notice a change rather than waiting for the next checkup.

Warm, enclosed beds

Older cats tend to seek out warmth, and many love a bed with sides or a roof to tuck into. Put it somewhere draft-free and easy to reach, ideally at floor level so there is no jump involved.

The Plush Burrow Cat Bed is a soft, sleeping-bag-shaped nest with a hood your cat can push under and disappear. It is plush-lined throughout with no stiff frame, and the hood folds back into an open nest on warmer days. It comes in 40 x 40 cm (16 x 16 in) and 45 x 45 cm (18 x 18 in), so take the larger one for a sprawler. It is machine washable.

For a cat that likes to hide, the House-Shaped Cat Cave Bed is a plush den with a pitched roof. It is sized by weight: S for cats up to 3 kg (7 lb), M up to 5 kg (11 lb) and L over 5 kg. The cushion lifts out for washing, and the frame folds flat when you need the space back.

A blanket helps too. The Soft Flannel Pet Blanket is a lightweight flannel fleece, thin enough to knead and burrow under. Lay one over their favorite sunny spot or the sofa seat they have claimed. It is machine washable, so keep two and rotate.

Keep everything on one floor

Stairs and high jumps get harder with age. Make the essentials easy to reach without either:

• Put food, water, a litter tray and a bed on the floor where they spend most of their time.
• If they love a high spot, add a sturdy box or step partway up so the climb comes in two small stages.
• Keep their routes clear, and add a night light near the litter tray.
• In a home with stairs, set up a litter tray on each floor.

A litter tray they can step into

If your cat has started missing the box, the sides may be too high for stiff hips to climb over comfortably. Look for a tray with a low entry or one low side. Some owners use a large, shallow storage box with one side cut down and the edge smoothed. An open tray is often easier than a covered one with a door to duck through.

Mention litter changes to your vet as well, because stiffness is only one possible reason.

Encourage drinking with a fountain

Drinking enough matters at every age, and some older cats do not drink much. Many cats seem to prefer moving water to a still bowl, so a fountain is an easy thing to try. It will not win over every cat, but it is worth a go.

Whichever you choose, place it away from the food bowl and the litter tray, keep it topped up, and wash it regularly so it stays fresh.

For a first fountain, the Flower is a gentle place to start. It is compact at 15 cm (6 in) across, runs on a whisper-quiet pump, and the frosted tub shows the water level at a glance. Pick the plain dome outlet if your cat is wary of splashing, or the arched tube if they like to paw at the stream.

Help with grooming

Many cats groom less as they age, often because twisting round to reach their back and hips is uncomfortable. The coat can turn greasy or matted, and mats pull on the skin.

Brush gently for a few minutes at a time with a soft brush, focusing on the back, hips and base of the tail, and stop before they get fed up. If you find mats close to the skin, ask your vet or a groomer to remove them rather than cutting them out yourself.

Check their claws too. Older cats often scratch less, so claws can grow long or thick, and your vet can trim them if needed.

The Arched Corner Self-Groomer for Cats lets them do some of the work. Its flexible arch grips a wall corner or table leg, and the soft comb teeth reach the cheeks and chin as they rub. A catnip pouch is included to help them notice it. Fit it at cheek height on a corner they already pass.

Regular vet checkups

Older cats benefit from more frequent checkups, because problems are usually easier to manage when they are caught early. Many vets suggest a check every six months for senior cats, so ask yours what suits your cat.

Your vet is also the right person to ask about diet as your cat ages. Bring notes on anything you have noticed, such as how much they drink, any litter box changes and how they are moving.

Still not sure?

Choosing a bed size or a fountain? Email contact@honeyandpaw.com with your cat's weight, measurements and habits, and we will help you pick.