mittens needs a soft spot

Since losing Pepper, the house feels so empty and quiet. I am worried about how I am caring for Mittens now. She is 12 and her arthritis is getting worse. She used to love jumping up on the couch, but now she just stares at it and sighs. I want to make her environment softer and less stressful, but I am not sure where to start. Does anyone have advice on creating a safe, low-stress spot for a senior cat with joint pain?

Look at Safety modifications for aging pets. I put down thick rugs on my hardwood floors for Rex when he got older. It stopped him from slipping. Also, make sure her favorite bed is on the floor, not up on furniture. If she has to jump, she will get frustrated.

I agree with gregn38. Keep the main sleeping area on the ground floor. My cat Buster is vocal when he is uncomfortable. If Mittens is sighing, she is probably in pain. Remove any obstacles that force her to turn quickly. See Building a quiet zone for my shy cat for ideas on making a small, enclosed area that feels safe.

While rugs help with traction, they do not provide enough cushioning for inflamed joints. I recommend orthopedic foam pads. You can find them in What actually helps with joint comfort?. The material should be dense, not fluffy, to support the weight without sinking. Fluffy cushions can actually trap heat and make swelling worse.

Thank you all. I did read Help for my old girl's stiff joints a while back, but it was mostly about medication. I need the environmental side. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed since Saying goodbye to Pepper. It is hard to be objective when I miss her so much. I will try the floor-level bed idea.

Don't overthink it. Start with one change. Put a thick pad where she currently sleeps on the floor. Watch her for a day. If she settles, you are on the right track. If not, try a different spot. I wrote up exactly what I did for my setup in Building a quiet zone for my shy cat if you want the specific dimensions and materials I used.