Table of Contents
In their senior years cats need a high quality, palatable diet with easy to digest protein and a careful balance of nutrients. We recommend moving your feline friends onto a suitable senior diet to support their body changes and nutritional needs as they age.
What should I feed my senior cat?
Raw or “gently cooked” fresh food is an excellent diet for elderly cats. Dr. Becker recommends that if it is impossible to feed raw that dehydrated or freeze-dried balanced food reconstituted with plenty of water is good second choice. However, feeding an all dry-food diet in the long run will cause problems.
Can senior cats eat normal cat food?
It’s generally recommended to move older cats onto a specially formulated senior cat food in preference to a normal ‘adult’ cat food, as long as they don’t have any underlying medical conditions or your vet has advised you otherwise.
Does senior cat food make a difference?
The only difference that was found between the senior diets and the adult diets was higher fiber in the senior diets. There were no differences in protein, fat, or minerals between the senior diets and the adult diets. Calories were higher in the diets labeled for 11+ years than those for 7+ years.
Why do senior cats need special food?
It can slow the progression of age-related changes and increase a cat’s lifespan. Your veterinarian will recommend a specific diet based on your cat’s specific needs. “Maintaining healthy body condition and muscle mass reduces the risk for many diseases.”.
Why do old cats get skinny?
Well-recognized causes of weight loss in old cats include chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and dental problems. Dental disease can contribute to weight loss in senior cats.
Is Wet food better for senior cats?
Wet food is easier for many senior cats to manage and the increased moisture content is important for digestion and kidney health as well. If your cat insists on dry food, try using moisture-rich wet food as a topper.
What’s the average lifespan of a house cat?
2 – 16 yearsIn the wild.
Can I feed my cat chicken instead of cat food?
1. Meat. Cats are carnivores and need meat in their diets to survive (sorry vegans, but you can’t put your cat on a plant-based diet). Give your kitty some cooked beef, chicken, turkey, even deli meats from your local grocery store.
Is Fancy Feast good for cats?
Best (less expensive) food for adult cats “A lot of people will say Fancy Feast is kind of the ‘McDonald’s for cats,’ but it’s actually not the case,” says Berg. “Plenty of the Fancy Feast [formulas] are actually quite high in protein and very low in carbohydrates.” This protein-rich turkey flavor checks all her boxes.
Do older cats need more protein?
Higher protein. A higher protein diet helps older cats maintain lean body mass. Because some geriatric cats experience less efficient protein digestion as they age, dietary protein should be high quality and highly digestible.
How often should I feed my senior cat?
“From age six months to maturity, most cats will do well when fed two times a day.” Once the cat becomes an adult, at about one year, feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases. Senior cats, age seven and above, should maintain the same feeding regimen.
What age is a senior cat?
In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms.
Is it OK to feed a younger cat senior food?
Dahlia: She said it’s fine to feed younger adult cats a senior-formula food if you’re living in a mixed-age household. Kitten foods have more calories, more vitamins, and more protein because kittens need that extra energy to grow big and strong.
Do senior cats need more fat?
Some studies have shown that senior cats do not digest, and thus absorb fat and protein, as well as younger cats. This means that older cats may need to consume fat and protein that is more digestible to get the same amount of energy.
Do senior cats need more fiber?
Although some age-related problems respond favorably to increased fiber intake, feeding high-fiber foods is not recommended across the board for all senior cats, in part because fiber may decrease the absorption of some essential nutrients.
How do I fatten up my old cat?
Most cats simply need more meals per day and/or free access to dry food in order to gain weight. Cats prefer to ‘graze’ or eat small meals throughout the day so having food available all day long can make all the difference. Be sure to check with your vet to see if this would be a good option for your cat.
Do senior cats sleep more?
Older cats tend to be less active and playful, they may sleep more, gain or lose weight, and have trouble reaching their favorite places. Don’t chalk up health or behavior changes – often gradual – to old age, however.
What are the signs of a cat dying of old age?
Signs Your Cat Could Be Dying Extreme Weight Loss. Weight loss is very common in senior cats. Extra Hiding. Hiding is the telltale sign of illness in cats, but can be hard to define. Not Eating. Not Drinking. Decreased Mobility. Behavioral Changes. Poor Response to Treatments. Poor Temperature Regulation.
What is the healthiest cat food for older cats?
Here are a few options to consider: Best Dry Senior Cat Food: Wellness Complete Health Senior Cat Food – Natural, Grain Free, Chicken. Best Wet Senior Cat Food: NUTRO Grain Free Natural Wet Cat Food Cuts in Gravy. Best Canned Senior Cat Food: Fancy Feast Senior Classic Pate Cat Food.
Is Tuna good for cats?
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it’s packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won’t hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won’t have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
What is different about senior cat food?
Senior diets, for example, are generally lower in calories but higher in fiber, and often have supplements specific to this life stage such as joint support and antioxidants. Forgo “all life stage” pet food for senior pets, says Dr. Vogelsang.
