Research overview: sarcopenia and muscle wasting in older cats

Older cats commonly lose lean muscle mass through sarcopenia, the age-related decline in muscle, and cachexia associated with chronic disease, contributing to weakness, reduced resilience, and worse outcomes. Because cats have high protein requirements and continue catabolizing protein even when intake is low, maintaining adequate, high-quality protein intake in seniors is important, balanced against considerations in diseases like kidney disease. This overview compiles the geriatric-nutrition literature rather than one source, describing the causes and consequences of muscle loss in aging cats, why protein nutrition is central to preserving muscle, and how body and muscle condition scoring track decline. It matters because muscle preservation influences strength, function, and survival in senior cats, making attention to lean mass an important part of geriatric feline care and nutrition.