Cats | Old Age, Palliative Care and Euthanasia Decisions | Evidence chain

FAQ

What should be noted about life-stage classification in cats?

The mature / senior age cut-offs follow the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines (catvets.com): Mature adult 7–10 years, Senior 10 years and above (verified 2026-07-30, cited as in column 1); ⚠️ the 2021 edition has been simplified to 4 stages plus an end-of-life stage, which does not map exactly onto the older naming used in this table. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

猫の高齢期の区分で注意すべきことは何ですか？ — 中高齢／高齢の年齢の区切りは 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines（catvets.com）に従います：Mature adult 7–10 歳、Senior 10 歳以上（確認 2026-07-30、欄 1 と同じ引用）。⚠️ 2021 年版は 4 期＋終末期に簡略化されており、本表の旧来の名称とは完全には対応しません。実際の判断は獣医師が個別の症例に応じて行う必要があり、本記事は薬剤名と用量を記載しません。

What should be noted about life-stage classification in cats? — The mature / senior age cut-offs follow the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines (catvets.com): Mature adult 7–10 years, Senior 10 years and above (verified 2026-07-30, cited as in column 1); ⚠️ the 2021 edition has been simplified to 4 stages plus an end-of-life stage, which does not map exactly onto the older naming used in this table. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What should be noted about the typical "disease stacking" of the older cat?

Chronic kidney disease plus hyperthyroidism plus systemic hypertension plus osteoarthritis plus dental disease plus neoplasia plus cognitive dysfunction, often present at the same time and interfering with each other's treatment (for example, kidney disease only becomes apparent after the thyroid is treated). The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

高齢猫に典型的な「疾患の重なり」で注意すべきことは何ですか？ — 慢性腎臓病＋甲状腺機能亢進症＋全身性高血圧＋変形性関節症＋歯科疾患＋腫瘍＋認知機能障害が同時に存在し、互いの治療を妨げることがよくあります（例：甲状腺を治療して初めて腎臓病が顕在化する）。実際の判断は獣医師が個別の症例に応じて行う必要があり、本記事は薬剤名と用量を記載しません。

What should be noted about the typical "disease stacking" of the older cat? — Chronic kidney disease plus hyperthyroidism plus systemic hypertension plus osteoarthritis plus dental disease plus neoplasia plus cognitive dysfunction, often present at the same time and interfering with each other's treatment (for example, kidney disease only becomes apparent after the thyroid is treated). The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

What should be noted about the presentation of feline cognitive dysfunction?

Night-time howling, getting lost in familiar surroundings, staring at walls, changes in social patterns, regression of litter-box habits, reversed sleep cycle. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.

猫の認知機能障害（feline cognitive dysfunction）の現れ方で注意すべきことは何ですか？ — 夜鳴き、慣れた環境で迷う、壁を見つめる、社会的なふるまいの変化、トイレの習慣の退行、睡眠リズムの逆転。実際の判断は獣医師が個別の症例に応じて行う必要があり、本記事は薬剤名と用量を記載しません。

What should be noted about the presentation of feline cognitive dysfunction? — Night-time howling, getting lost in familiar surroundings, staring at walls, changes in social patterns, regression of litter-box habits, reversed sleep cycle. The actual judgement still rests with a veterinarian on a case-by-case basis, and this article gives no drug names or dosages.