2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Feline Health
• Animal Gerontology

Background:

• Previous feline life stage guidelines were published in 2010.
• Expert Task Force updated and extended the 2010 guidelines.
• Guidelines published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide updated, comprehensive guidelines for feline clinical medicine.
• To establish a simplified, five-stage life stage grouping for cats.
• To offer a framework for individualized, lifelong feline healthcare strategies.

Main Methods:

• Revision and extension of the 2010 AAFP-AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines.
• Division of the cat's lifespan into five stages: kitten, young adult, mature adult, senior, and end-of-life.
• Development of a comprehensive table for feline wellness visits tailored to life stages.

Main Results:

• A simplified five-stage life stage grouping (kitten, young adult, mature adult, senior, end-of-life) replaces the previous six stages.
• The new grouping aligns with owner perception of cat aging.
• Guidelines provide recommendations for behavior, nutrition, diagnostics, and more, based on life stage.

Conclusions:

• The revised life stage approach simplifies feline healthcare planning for owners and veterinarians.
• Individualized, lifelong healthcare strategies are facilitated by the new framework.
• Addressing barriers to veterinary visits is crucial for consistent feline healthcare delivery.