Senior Cat Comfort & Care

Lots of age-related changes can make your senior cat more sensitive to touch — thin skin (Tip #9), less body fat cushion, digestive sensitivity, etc. And the big one is osteoarthritis (Tip #44). It's incredibly common for senior cats to experience some degree of pain or discomfort from changes in their joints and along the spine.

Because cats are so good at hiding pain, they often go untreated or undertreated. This means they're feeling discomfort regularly.

The instinctual reaction when touching is painful is to be aggressive. That's how they say, "NO! Don't touch. It hurts."

There can be less obvious signs as well. You may notice your cat shrinks away from your touch. They may stop sleeping near people or other pets for fear of being jostled. They could sleep more because moving hurts or sleep less due to discomfort. Again, it goes back to catching changes in their normal behavior to help diagnose pain early.

Work with your veterinarian on preventative measures, treatment, and pain management. Do what you can to make your cat's home environment more comfortable and accessible. (see Chapter 11). And respect their boundaries when it comes to touching and handling.