Review: behavioural, sensory and environmental feeding strategies for healthy ageing in cats
This review argues that feeding difficulties in older cats rarely stem from diet composition alone but from interacting sensory decline, pain, cognitive decline, mobility problems and environmental or social stressors, so clinicians should look beyond the bowl. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review says the clinical goal for ageing cats shifts toward safeguarding healthspan, so added years come with maintained function and quality of life. [1]
Feeding difficulties in older cats rarely originate from diet composition alone but from interacting sensory decline, pain, cognitive decline, mobility impairment and environmental or social stressors. [1]
The review urges clinicians to move beyond the bowl and integrate ethology, sensory biology, pain assessment and environmental management with nutritional strategies. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Review (abstract only)
- Population / context
- Ageing cats, as discussed in a veterinary review
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 14, 2026
Ageing cats: healthspan and feeding difficulties
The review states that as cats age, the clinical goal shifts from extending lifespan toward safeguarding healthspan, so that added years come with maintained function and quality of life. With more aged cats, veterinarians reportedly see a growing incidence of dysrexia situations that markedly worsen prognosis, especially alongside comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease. The authors stress that feeding difficulties in older cats rarely originate from diet composition alone.
Supporting source [1]
Sensory, pain and cognitive influences on feeding
According to the review, feeding difficulties arise from a multifactorial interplay of sensory decline, chronic pain, cognitive decline, mobility impairment and environmental or social stressors that disrupt normal feeding behaviour. Ageing is said to affect olfaction, taste, vision, hearing, circadian feeding rhythms, motor abilities and socio-cognitive function, all influencing a cat's capacity to locate, access, evaluate and consume food. Chronic pain may reduce meal frequency and size; cognitive dysfunction may impair spatial navigation, disrupt foraging sequences or alter appetite; systemic inflammation may worsen muscle loss and reduce behavioural engagement.
Supporting source [1]
Review scope: ethology, sensory biology and environment
The review notes that cats are carnivores with distinct feeding behaviour, so nutritional recommendations must go beyond selecting a diet that meets nutrient requirements. Feeding strategies should consider food distribution in space and time, the surrounding environment and the species' natural activity patterns. The authors call for integrating ethology, sensory biology, pain assessment and environmental management with nutritional strategies, and urge clinicians to move beyond the bowl when supporting ageing cats.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is an abstract of a review; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports no study design, sample, follow-up or measured outcomes, and its statements about mechanisms and strategies are presented as the authors' review argument rather than tested findings.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Hoummady S, Schoeman T, Bermingham E, Goyon A, Dowgray NJ. · europepmc.org · September 14, 2026