Senior Cat Comfort & Care

Have you thought about how your cat’s bowl impacts their health and comfort? Many senior cats have physical limitations due to surgery, pulling a muscle, or arthritis that makes it hard to bend or crouch to eat and drink.

They may have digestive issues that get worse if they’re hunched over while eating. Dental or oral issues can make it hard to get food into their mouths in certain positions. Even their whiskers can become stressed with the wrong bowl.

If your cat can stand while they eat and drink, raised bowls about 4 to 6 inches from the floor can be more comfortable. This way, they don’t have to raise or lower their head, decreasing the strain on their neck, shoulders, and hips.

Bowls should have a diameter of at least 6.5 inches and a depth of about 1.5 inches to help them eat more easily and reduce friction on their whiskers, which can turn them off of their food.

For cats who aren’t able to stand while they eat, wide, shallow bowls are essential. The bowl can sit on the floor. An angle of about 15° will help your cat access the food comfortably. Slanted bowls can be purchased, or you can prop a flat bowl up on one side against a towel or another small dish.