Must-Have Cat Supplies for Senior Cats: Essentials They Can’t Live Without

Senior cats deserve to live their golden years in comfort! I’ve been taking care of senior cats for the last decade and there are some things that make it easier for both human and kitty. In this article, I’ll cover products for:

• senior cat grooming,
• safe outdoor adventures,
• indoor enrichment (AKA cat condos),
• senior kitty litter supplies, and
• health monitoring

1. Grooming Essentials for Senior Cats

Senior cats may not groom themselves as well as they used to. That’s why I use these tools to help keep their fur soft and tangle-free.

Corner Self-Groomer by Catit (affiliate link)
As the name suggests, this groomer is attached to the outside corner where two walls meet. Catit includes some catnip for you to use or you can refresh them with catnip spray. You have the choice of mounting it with two-sided self-adhesive foam (included) or mount with screws. My cats love rubbing their faces on it.

Hartz Groomer’s Best Combo Brush (affiliate link)
The first side has long stainless steel pins which helps to detangle fur and remove the loose stuff. The ends are coated in little plastic balls so they don’t scratch the skin. The other side has dense nylon bristles which also removes loose fur plus debris (like bits of cardboard scratchers and dandruff) and helps to distribute their natural oils to keep fur shiny.

KONG Zoom Groom for cats (affiliate link)
I was first recommended this rubber brush by the owner of a pet supply store and I am forever grateful! Every cat I’ve ever used this on absolutely loves it. It gently removes excess fur and massages at the same time. I just have to wave this one around and the cats come running!

Hartz Slicker Brush (affiliate link)
Perfect for removing mats and loose hair, this brush is great for long-haired cats or cats that shed a lot. Before this brush came along, I thought my cats’ fur coats were soft. After this brush, it’s like night and day! It’s a bit of a scratchier brush so go gentle. Some cats love it so much that they press themselves harder into it. But be careful because too much will irritate their skin.

2. Comfortable and Secure Mobility

Not all cats crave the outdoors but for my one “adventure cat,” I make sure to use a good harness and leash for our walks and have the stroller whenever they need to rest.

Cat Harness (affiliate link)
I have tried a few different styles of harnesses and this one is the best for my 8lb orange cat, Riles. This harness is adjustable so you can get a snug fit that is not easy to wriggle out of. It’s also fairly easy to get on. Riles actually loves it because he know when he sees it, it’s adventure time! You can attach any leash you like to it.

Cat Stroller (affiliate link)
When Riles gets tired or walking, I scoop him up and into this stroller. I also use it to take him to the vet when the weather is nice. Even if it’s not so nice, I can get this easily on the bus. You can read my detailed review on this Cat Stroller here.

3. Cozy Spaces for Rest and Play

Older cats love soft, warm places to sleep. These cat condos give them a perfect spot to rest and climb safely. I have these two cat condos placed in a corner by a window so they can easily find a spot they like and watch the world go by. I have a third which they do use…however, I hate it. You can find my video review for that one here.

PAWS Road Modern Cat Tree (affiliate link)
This multi-level cat condo was easy to build while being large enough for both cats. Chester is a big boy (11 lbs and long) and naps comfortably on the top perch. 

Meanwhile, Riles loves to curl up in the little cubby. The way the ledges are spaced out makes it easy for these senior cats to climb up and get down from it easily. Plus each level has some cushioning for their joints. Not to mention, it is cute and easy to clean with it’s low-profile wool-like textile.

Heybly Wood Cat Tree (affiliate link)
This wider cat condo is more fully featured. But I liked it for the seniors because of the variety of ledges so they can climb up and down easily. So far, they have napped on every perch except for the round hanging basket. The textile is a minky material so it is a little bit slippery. On that note, I added some self-adhesive carpet on some parts: on the middle platform and top of the cubby for better traction. Also, I covered a part that stuck out of the “cloud” with carpet just in case of clumsiness.

4. Essential Litter Box Setup

Previously, I used a variety of plastic litter boxes. I tried different sizes, covered, boxes with extra walls, low profile boxes and even plastic storage boxes with the sides cut down to accommodate both my sprayers and the seniors with less mobility. But when I switched their main box to stainless steel, everything changed! And by everything, I mean the smell. It’s so much better!

Stainless Steel Litter Box (affiliate link)
I love this litter box because its easy to clean, very durable, and does not retain that ammonia smell that plastic boxes can. It’s also larger than a typical box, making it more comfortable for longer cats. However, the sides are quite high. My senior cats can navigate it easily, but arthritic cats may need a box with lower sides. To help, I place a puppy-pad-wrapped yoga block in front so they can step in more easily.

Litter Trapping Mats

• Soft Trapping Mat (affiliate link)
  I have a 3 of these mats and they do a great job trapping litter as my cats step out of the box. They also provide a soft place for them to land.
• Textured Mat (affiliate link)
  This mat does not trap litter as well, but one of my cats loves the texture and enjoys stepping on it. Having different mat options helps keep the area clean and comfortable.

WiFi Pet Camera (affiliate link)
We got two of these cameras to monitor the cats’ “presents.” This way we can tell if one has a urinary issue or bowel issues. I only wish I had this earlier. Riles is prone to UTI’s and Chester has Feline idiopathic cystitis. Instead of guessing who has left spots in the boxes, we can just look at the recordings!

Bowel issues are some of the first signs of distress as well. You’ll easily be able to tell who is having a difficult time in the throne room and be able to tell your vet so they can advise you accurately.  You use your phone or tablet to monitor in real time or you can set the camera to record when there is movement so you are not scrolling through endless footage. And it works in the dark too!

Plus, when I was pet-sitting for a friend, I set up a camera at their food station. Because the cats were nervous about their owner being away, plus having a practical stranger in their home, I was concerned that they might not be eating well. It was a relief to see the shyer cat munching away on the feed!

5. Health Monitoring

Weight Scale (affiliate link)

When a senior cat becomes sick, you might not notice the signs. They are truly experts at hiding health problems. But if you weigh them everyday, you can notice right away if they are losing weight. This baby scale is easy to use and the platform is shaped so they can easily stand or lay in it. 

Obesity is another issue that can affect cats both young and old. However, as they slow down over the years, they may be eating for a much younger cat. Excess weight can affect their joints, mobility, as well as lead to conditions such as diabetes. Monitoring your cat’s weight and making adjustments (according to your vet’s advice) is one of the easiest ways to keep them on track.

I’m sure there’s something I’m forgetting but these are truly things that I and my cats love! Do you have a favorite cat thing you can’t live without? Let me know in the comments!