Senior Cats & Litter Considerations
Older cats may have different needs than they did in their younger years. We're cat owners, not vets—senior cats especially need regular veterinary care. Here's what we've learned about litter considerations for aging cats.
Why Senior Cats May Have Different Litter Needs
As cats age, several changes may affect their litter box experience:
- Arthritis and joint pain — Digging and squatting may be harder
- Reduced sense of smell — May be more or less sensitive to fragrances
- Cognitive changes — May need more consistent routines
- Health conditions — Kidney disease, diabetes, and other issues affect bathroom habits
- Decreased immunity — May be more sensitive to dust and irritants
These aren't things to manage on your own—your vet should be monitoring your senior cat's health regularly.
Litter Box Comfort for Older Cats
Beyond litter choice, the box setup matters for senior cats:
- Low-entry boxes — High sides can be hard for arthritic cats to climb over
- Larger boxes — Give more room to position comfortably
- Multiple locations — So there's always one nearby
- Easy to reach — Avoid stairs if your cat has mobility issues
- Consistent location — Don't move boxes for cats with cognitive changes
What Some Senior Cat Owners Consider (Our Opinions)
These are observations from cat owners. Your vet may have specific recommendations based on your cat's health conditions.
Often Preferred for Senior Cats
Some Owners Consider Carefully
Odor Considerations for Senior Cat Homes
Some health conditions common in senior cats can affect litter box odor. Kidney disease, for example, may change urine concentration and smell. Rather than masking these changes with scented litter (which could irritate your cat), consider fragrance-free odor control.
Purrify's activated carbon works without fragrances—it adsorbs odor molecules naturally. This lets you manage odor while still being able to notice any changes that might be worth mentioning to your vet. If you're dealing with strong urine smells, it's worth discussing with your veterinarian—it can sometimes indicate health changes.
Monitoring Your Senior Cat's Habits
The litter box is actually a useful health monitoring tool for senior cats. Watch for changes in:
- Frequency — Going more or less often than usual
- Volume — Larger or smaller clumps than normal
- Accidents outside the box — May indicate health issues or mobility problems
- Straining or crying — Can indicate pain or blockage (see vet immediately)
- Changes in stool — Constipation is common in older cats
Report any changes to your veterinarian. What seems minor might be an early sign of something treatable.
Keeping Things Fresh
Senior cats may be more particular about cleanliness. Tips from other senior cat owners:
- Scoop more frequently — At least twice daily if possible
- Complete changes regularly — Don't let litter get too saturated
- Use fragrance-free odor control — Options like activated carbon help without strong scents
- Wash boxes periodically — With mild, unscented soap
For households managing odor in multiple boxes, the Purrify family pack offers good value, or start with the trial size to see how it works for your situation.
Work With Your Veterinarian
Senior cats need veterinary care more than ever. Regular checkups (many vets recommend every 6 months for senior cats) help catch problems early when they're most treatable.
If your senior cat is having litter box issues, it's often a sign of an underlying health problem rather than a behavior issue. Conditions like arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, and cognitive dysfunction are all treatable to varying degrees—but they need professional diagnosis.
We're cat owners sharing information, not medical professionals. Your veterinarian is your partner in keeping your senior cat comfortable and healthy.