Geriatric cats: 15 years and older

What the geriatric stage is like

Very old cats sleep most of the day, move deliberately, and may lose some sharpness — occasional confusion, night-time vocalising, or staring are reported often at this age, alongside thinner body condition and a coat that needs help. Appetite can become picky. A geriatric cat is not necessarily an unwell cat, but the margin for “wait and see” is thinner than it used to be.

Care priorities

• Everything within easy reach. Food, water, litter and a warm bed on one level, ideally without stairs or jumps between them. A second litter box saves a long trip.
• Pain checks, honestly. Arthritis is extremely common in cats this age and badly under-treated because cats hide it. If mobility, grooming or mood has slipped, ask your vet specifically about pain.
• Help with grooming and claws. Stiff cats can’t reach their backs or retract claws fully; gentle brushing and regular claw trims prevent real discomfort.
• Keep vet visits regular but low-stress. Twice-yearly is still the usual rhythm; ask about carrier training, gabapentin before visits, or home visits if travel has become a genuine ordeal.
• Track quality of life, not just age. Appetite, comfort, interest in the household and good days versus bad days are the measures that matter now — and the basis for kind, timely decisions with your vet.

Before this stage: Senior (11–14 years). For how these ages sit against typical lifespans, see how long cats live.