When your cat grows old and can no longer move around, how should you accompany it through its last journey?

The average lifespan of a cat is 12 to 18 years. If you raised it from a few months old, one day you may notice it can no longer jump onto the cabinet it used to leap up to effortlessly.


Changes in senior cats happen gradually. First, they lose interest in playing and sleep more. Eventually, they move slowly, sometimes forgetting where the litter box is and eliminating outside it.
You may not want to face this reality, but it will happen sooner or later.
Once your cat enters its senior years (around 10 years old), here’s what you need to do:
  1. Switch from annual check‑ups to twice a year. The most common health issues in older cats are chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and arthritis. There are few obvious symptoms in the early stages, and by the time you notice something is wrong, the condition is often moderate to advanced. Regular examinations are essential.
  2. Adjust your home environment. If your cat can no longer reach high places, provide low steps or stools. Switch to a low‑sided litter box for easy access. Place multiple water and food bowls within short walking distances.
  3. Keep your cat warm. Senior cats have poor temperature regulation. Provide a thick, cozy bed in winter, and avoid direct air conditioning drafts in summer.
  4. Adjust its diet. Senior cats have different protein and calorie needs compared to young cats. You can switch to senior cat food or adjust the diet based on veterinary exam results.
  5. Making the final decision. When your cat’s quality of life declines severely — suffering constant pain, being unable to eat normally, and no longer responding to its surroundings — you may need to consider euthanasia.


This is a topic no one wants to face. But keeping a suffering cat alive — is it truly for the cat, or for your own peace of mind? There is no right or wrong answer, and every choice deserves respect.
That’s all. Spend more time with your cat, while you still can.