Senior Cat Checklist: Mobility, Comfort, Warmth & Routine

<h1>📋 Senior Cat Checklist: Mobility, Comfort, Warmth & Routine</h1>

<p>Your cat may still act like a kitten — but if they’re 8 years or older, their body is already changing. Senior cats often hide discomfort, so it’s up to us to <strong>adjust their environment and routine</strong> to support aging joints, light sleep, and temperature sensitivity. 😽</p>

<p>This vet-approved checklist helps you quickly spot what your senior cat needs most — from mobility to mood.</p>

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<h2>🦴 Mobility & Joint Support</h2>

<ul>
  <li>✅ Bed is low-entry or completely flat (<a href="https://purrz.com/products/xl-felt-pad" target="_blank">XL Felt Pad</a>)</li>
  <li>✅ Slippery floors have non-slip mats or runners</li>
  <li>✅ Food and litter boxes are on the same floor (no stairs required)</li>
  <li>✅ Steps, ramps, or short platforms help with couch/window access</li>
</ul>

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<h2>🛏️ Comfort & Sleep</h2>

<ul>
  <li>✅ Bed is firm enough for support, soft enough to cushion pressure</li>
  <li>✅ No tall sides or unstable, squishy materials</li>
  <li>✅ Placed in a quiet, warm corner (away from drafts or foot traffic)</li>
  <li>✅ Consider a <a href="https://purrz.com/products/uluru-felt-cat-cave" target="_blank">cave-style bed</a> to help with sensory sensitivity</li>
</ul>

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<h2>🌡️ Warmth & Temperature Regulation</h2>

<ul>
  <li>✅ Fleece or wool layers in the bed (not synthetic)</li>
  <li>✅ Heat support if needed: microwavable disc under fleece layer</li>
  <li>✅ Sun patch, radiator shelf, or warm window nook is accessible</li>
  <li>✅ Consider placing bed on shelf, bench, or padded surface — off cold tile</li>
</ul>

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<h2>🎯 Routine & Mental Health</h2>

<ul>
  <li>✅ Regular play (even short wand toy sessions keep their mind sharp)</li>
  <li>✅ Puzzle feeders or hide-and-seek treats for low-impact stimulation</li>
  <li>✅ Predictable feeding + bedtime schedule</li>
  <li>✅ Safe spaces to retreat when tired (felt caves or quiet rooms)</li>
</ul>

<p>💡 Some senior cats become more affectionate, others more solitary — respect both.</p>

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<h2>🛒 Vet-Recommended Comfort Beds at Purrz</h2>

<ul>
  <li>🛏️ <a href="https://purrz.com/products/xl-felt-pad" target="_blank">XL Felt Pad</a> – ideal for arthritis support</li>
  <li>🌋 <a href="https://purrz.com/products/uluru-felt-cat-cave" target="_blank">Uluru Felt Cave</a> – warm, quiet, enclosed</li>
  <li>🔁 <a href="https://purrz.com/products/3-in-1-cat-cube-cave" target="_blank">3-in-1 Cube</a> – adaptable for different sleep needs</li>
</ul>

<p>🧓 <strong><a href="https://purrz.com/collections/felt-caves" target="_blank">Explore the full senior collection at Purrz</a></strong></p>

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<h2>💬 From Dr. Duncan Houston</h2>
<blockquote>
“Senior cats don’t always tell us what they need. But when we provide the right support — warmth, comfort, safety — they tell us with softer eyes, deeper sleep, and less stiffness. You’ll feel the difference.”
</blockquote>

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<h2>📚 References</h2>
<ol>
  <li>International Cat Care. (2023). Caring for older cats: environment, sleep & mobility. https://icatcare.org</li>
  <li>Buffington, C. A. T. (2011). Feline aging and behavioral adaptation. *Vet Clinics of North America*, 41(5), 1001–1015.</li>
</ol>