Lessons from Minky, a 28-year-old cat*: Why wellness care starts before illness

Dr. Jaeyoung Kim · Veterinarian, Greycoat Research

Some cats have lived beyond 30.

My years with Minky taught me what to look for and how to support a cat’s health and comfort throughout life.

What Minky Taught Me About Care

Minky came into my life in 1995. She was a young Persian cat, and she grew older by my side.

Even while Minky was healthy, I paid close attention to her diet, her surroundings, and small changes in how she was doing. At around age 16, her test results began to change. From then on, I provided ongoing kidney care, including nutritional support.

Even after her eyesight weakened, Minky continued walking around the familiar clinic. I remember one morning when she made her way past toys and other items on the floor, then quietly drank from her water bowl in a patch of sunlight.

Drinking on her own, walking, and grooming were all part of her everyday life. Alongside her test results, I paid close attention to how comfortably she went about her day.

Paying Attention to Even Mild Inflammation

At the time, no AIM-based treatment was available for Minky. The products Greycoat Research offers today had not yet been developed, and I had no special treatment designed to extend her life.

Regular checkups, consistent nutritional care, and an environment suited to her needs formed the foundation of her care. My nutritional approach aimed to support her antioxidant defenses and help manage inflammation. Even mild inflammation deserved attention.

Minky’s long life cannot be explained by any single factor. The lesson I want to share is to begin caring for a cat’s health before illness and stay attentive to small changes.

Wellness Care Starts While Cats Are Healthy

For me, wellness care starts with helping cats eat well, stay active, and rest comfortably.

Have small changes checked.
If your cat is eating, drinking, using the litter box, moving, or grooming differently than usual, schedule a checkup. Even small changes can signal inflammation, pain, or another health problem. Comparing new test results with earlier ones can also help you understand changes over time.

Make nutrition a priority while your cat is healthy.
Cats need care before they get sick. Pay close attention to nutrition while your cat is healthy to help them eat well, stay active, and feel comfortable day to day.

Create a comfortable environment for your cat.
Offer a blanket with familiar scents and a quiet place to rest. Let your cat choose when to approach you. If moving around becomes difficult, arrange their space so water bowls and litter boxes are easy to reach.

Carrying Those Lessons into Nutrition Research

Minky passed away on August 19, 2021, at age 28*. I continue to apply what I learned from caring for her in both my clinical work and my research.

As a veterinarian at Greycoat Research, I work alongside other veterinarians, pharmacists, and researchers. Our research focuses on feline kidney health and the role of nutrition in antioxidant support, inflammation management, and healthy aging.

I also coauthored a study on resveratrol supplementation in cats. It included 12 healthy cats and 4 cats who were overweight or obese. Over 4 weeks, we examined blood markers related to fat metabolism and inflammation.

Clinical experience and research findings guide how we develop our nutritional solutions. This is what wellness care means to us at Greycoat Research.

A Future Where More Cats Live to 30

I had hoped to see Minky reach 30, but we did not have that time together.

The way we care for cats continues to evolve. Researchers are studying ways to detect changes in kidney function earlier, understand how cats age, and explore how nutritional compounds affect metabolism and inflammation.

As these findings shape veterinary practice and nutritional care, I expect to see more cats live to 30.

For a future where more cats live to 30.
Start Supporting Your Cat’s Health Today →

Eating well, walking through familiar spaces, and resting comfortably—these are the everyday moments I remember with Minky. At Greycoat Research, we will continue our research and development to help more cats enjoy those moments for longer.

A team of experts focused on feline kidney health and healthy aging.
Greycoat Research.

More Good Days. Together.

About Dr. Jaeyoung Kim

Dr. Jaeyoung Kim served as the founding president of the Korean Society of Feline Medicine. He is a veterinarian at Greycoat Research and a coauthor of a study on resveratrol in cats. He draws on his experience in feline clinical practice to inform his research on nutrition.

* Minky’s age of 28 is based on the Korean age-counting system.