A cat living safely indoors can easily reach 18 to 20 years of age, while feral cats often live only 5 to 6 years. This huge difference comes down to several factors: accidents, diseases, parasites, poor nutrition, and chronic stress. Indoor cats, on the other hand, are typically well-fed, vaccinated, and protected from many everyday risks.

The care your cat receives throughout their life plays a major role in how they age. When illness or injury is overlooked, the aging process can accelerate significantly. Early attention, regular checkups, and a stable environment make all the difference.

Senior cats have different needs than younger ones, and understanding these changes is key to keeping them comfortable:
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• They become more sedentary and less energetic
• They are more sensitive to heat and cold
• They tend to sleep longer and seek out warm, quiet spots
• They may become more irritable when disturbed
• They value routine, calm, and personal space

In short: older cats don’t want excitement, they want peace, comfort, and consistency.

An older cat thrives in a calm, predictable, and loving home. To support their wellbeing:

• Keep a consistent routine (feeding, play, rest)
• Provide a high-quality, age-appropriate diet
• Minimize stress (no sudden changes, loud environments, or disruptions)
• Make sure they have warm, comfortable resting areas

A caring human and a stable environment can make a senior cat feel safe and happy.
Senior cats should visit the vet at least once a year. A proper checkup should include:

• Full physical examination
• Blood tests
• Stool analysis
• Urinalysis

​​Kidney disease is especially common in older cats, and early detection is key.

Warning Signs in Senior Cats

If you notice any of the following, contact your vet as soon as possible:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Increased thirst and urination
• Weakness or difficulty moving
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Any lump or abnormal growth​

Growing old is a natural part of your cat’s life, but how they age depends greatly on the care they receive. With attention, patience, and love, your senior cat can enjoy many comfortable, happy years by your side.
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Kitty in NY has caregivers specialized in older cats. These caregivers have had their own cat till she died of old age. They are used to giving medication and caring for an older cat. Your cats will be in good hands. Contact us to find the best option for your cat in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens. We'll be glad to help you.

Sydney is an experienced and highly reliable cat sitter offering in-home cat sitting visits in Harlem, Hamilton Heights, and Upper Manhattan, with availability in other nearby areas when needed.
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A lifelong animal lover originally from small-town Iowa, Sydney has over 15 years of pet-sitting experience, caring for cats of all ages, personalities, and health needs. She lives in Harlem with her family and their two beloved cats, Lif the Lap Cat and Ash the Purr Monster, so responsible, attentive caregiving is very much part of her daily life.

Sydney is known for being extremely detail-oriented, trustworthy, and thorough. She is comfortable administering medications, including shots and pills, and takes special care with cats who may be shy, senior, or dealing with health issues. Her approach is calm and patient, always focused on making cats feel safe, comfortable, and respected in their own homes.

She understands that inviting someone into your home requires trust, and she takes that responsibility seriously. Clear communication and consistency are central to her work, helping ensure true peace of mind while you’re away.

She gets around easily by scooter and public transportation, allowing her to accommodate a wide range of locations.

Sydney genuinely believes cats are family members, not just pets—and she brings that same mindset to every visit. Warm, friendly, and energetic, she builds trust quickly with both cats and their humans, ensuring routines are followed carefully and every visit feels reassuring and familiar.

If you’re looking for a dependable, experienced cat sitter in Upper Manhattan who combines professionalism with genuine affection for cats, Sydney would be delighted to care for your furry companions.

Contact us and send more details about your cat/s and the service you need. We will do our best to match you with the most suitable caregiver available in your area.

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REVIEWS

Fenot - by survey 4/22/2026
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Sydney cared for my persnickety 11-year-old cat Freddie for three days. She was communicative throughout, sending updates, photos, videos, which gave me total peace of mind. Freddie didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat for her, but she was patient and determined to win him over. I couldn't have asked for better care. I will be booking her again, no question.

Michael - by survey 1/24/2026
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Sydney was kind, warm, respectful, thoughtful, and professional. Working with her was a pleasure and she took all our requests to heart. I would gladly ask her to watch over our cat again.

If you are looking for a long term service to board your kitties, Amerasia might be available. Her large home can host up to eight kitties! (all of them from one single owner, we do not mix cats from different owners). Your cats will be the only pets in the house and will receive all the love and attention they deserve. Our boarding service is perfect for very social kitties or cats who require a daily care routine. Contact us and send more details about your cat/s and the service you need, we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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REVIEWS

Lisa - by survey 4/20/2026
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Got daily updates. Cat seemed happy when she came home.

If you live in the East Village and need a temporary home for your cat/s, William might be available. Boarding is the best solution for long term services or very social cats who look for human interaction. If you only leave the city for a few days William could visit your cat/s in your apartment. Cat sitting visits work well for long weekends or short holidays. Contact us and send more details about the service you need, we'll be glad to help you.

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REVIEWS

Zach - by survey 4/18/2026
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Very attentive and excellent communication!

Oana - by email 7/14/2025
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I appreciated the almost daily updates with photos. William is reliable, attentive and clearly loves cats. Chango warmed up to him rapidly, which is quite rare.  

William went the extra mile and kindly helped me carry Chango’s stuff over to his place using his rolling cart. I’m tremendously grateful to him for this thoughtful gesture! 

I would gladly leave Chango in William’s care again

Janine - by survey 1/2/2025
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Bill was very thorough and meticulous in following the care instructions and providing a comprehensive update every day through text.

Victoria - by survey 12/11/2024
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Great communication and interaction with the cats.

Michelle - by survey 10/07/2024
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William did an amazing job caring for my 4 month old kitten. He gave him the attention he needed as a playful kitten and sent frequent updates that helped me relax while I was away. He is very knowledgeable with cats and very attentive to their behaviours!

Lauren - by survey 09/04/2024
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William took fantastic care of my cats Remy and Georgia in August! They are young and can be a handful and he handled them great. Georgia is a kitten and it was her first time being at a sitter… She refused to eat for several days, but William was so great about trying everything he could to get her to eat, and she finally did!
I would definitely recommend and use him again. I also loved how communicative he was - especially when I knew Georgia was not eating, he was giving me plenty of updates that helped me not to worry too much.  

Lena - by survey 03/18/2024
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William took excellent care of my cat who is pretty high maintenance and not very sociable. He made a point of learning about her preferences, daily routine, eating habits, likes and dislikes, etc. From the moment I met William I knew that my cat would be in very good hands. William loves and understands cats. He sent me daily updates with pictures and videos. My cat is rather hard to please and is not usually friendly with strangers. I was amazed at how quickly she warmed up to William. They say that cats are good judges of character. William is such a warm, kind and caring person that even my shy and unsocial cat felt at ease with him. I think she received more attention from him that she does from me. I would highly recommend William and will be happy to use his services in the future.

Francine - by survey 01/04/2024
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William was extremely attentive to my cats and was very patient to learn about each of their individual personalities. He provided me many updates and I felt very at ease knowing that he was providing very high quality care. His updates each day were also very thoughtful -- I didn't worry at all while I was away. I think William is my favorite sitter so far since discovering Kitty in NY. He truly deserves more credit!!

Sarah - by survey 09/09/2023
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Everything went really well for my cat Matilda’s stay with William.

William took really good care of Matilda, was very thoughtful for her needs and kept me updated throughout. She settled in straight away and looked very relaxed and happy which gave me huge peace of mind while away.

We will be in touch next time we go away so we can book William to care for her again!

Anjali - by survey 08/10/2023
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William went above and beyond in his care for Cleo. He sent me photos of her every few days with updates on how she was doing. He also took her to the vet when she was ill. He was very good about staying in communication with me and Cleo enjoyed her time with him.Bill was very thorough and meticulous in following the care instructions and providing a comprehensive update every day through text.

Finding the right place for your cat while you’re away is never a small decision. What most owners are really looking for isn’t just a place to stay, but a home where their cat will feel safe, comfortable, and genuinely cared for. In the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, Edwin offers exactly that kind of environment.

Edwin lives in a spacious one-bedroom apartment that is clean, well organized, and thoughtfully maintained. The space is calm and uncluttered, giving cats plenty of room to move around, explore, and settle in at their own pace. All windows are properly screened and secured, creating a safe indoor setting at all times.

“I became interested in cat boarding after taking care of a friend’s cat for two weeks while she was on vacation. That was when I realized how important it is for owners to have peace of mind knowing their pets are safe and cared for by someone they can trust.”

​Edwin is attentive, organized, and understands that every cat needs time and space to adjust. If you live in South Brooklyn, Edwin may be a great option to care for your cat(s). Feel free to contact us and tell us more about the service you’re looking for.

At Kitty in NY, we offer both cat sitting and in-home boarding in carefully selected private homes, depending on what works best for you and your cat.

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REVIEWS

Matthew  - survey 4/13/2026
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I felt really great that the cats were in such great care. Edwin was responsible and patient and clearly made them feel at home even if they were super shy!

Monday May 25th is Memorial Day and many of us have the day off which is great, because we can spend time with our cats or helping cats. There are a lot of great ways to celebrate Memorial Day with your sweet kitty.

1.  Sleeping in
Cats love holidays like Memorial Day because their humans often have the day off and get to sleep in and cats love spending time sleeping with their humans in a big soft warm bed. Don’t rush out of bed on Memorial Day, spend some extra time cuddling with your kitty.
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2. Time to help cats
You can also take the time off from work to help homeless cats in your area. June is Adopt A Shelter Cat Month and Social Petworking Month so use this day so share some adoptable kitties on your Facebook page or other social media. Follow a new rescue group or two. Send out an email to friends and family encouraging cat adoption. You can make a huge difference and help cats find homes.

3.  Spring Cleaning
Having a day off from work means you can do some spring cleaning. Clean your floors and put away any chemicals or cleaners that could be toxic to your cat. Take a lint roller to the sofa! Take a look at your kitty’s belongings. Is it time to get a new litter box? Replace old toys that could be harmful. Donate your old supplies to a shelter and take advantage of all those Memorial Day sales by getting your kitty new clean gear!

​4. Grooming
Use the time off from work to groom your kitty. Give your kitty a bath if needed and brush out her fur to help remove that thick winter coat for summer.

Photo #1 by Felipe Forigo on Unsplash
Photo #2 by Reba Spike on Unsplash