Since older cats wont want to play as much, you probably wont be able to get them to exercise. Skinny cats need a lot of fat to maximize their caloric intake. Sometimes cats can be picky about where they eat and the type of food they enjoy, and they may not eat what you're feeding them. This Hills Diet t/d feline dental health cat food is our best option for wet cat food. All in all, we rate Tiki Canned Food as the Best Wet Cat Food. Therefore, grain-based proteins should never be used as the primary protein source for geriatric cats. Weighing your cat twice a year will also show trends in weight loss or gain that can be valuable clues to overall health changes. Keeping a regular feeding schedule can help adult cats adjust to life changes. Its also best not to feed your cat milk because cats can be lactose-intolerant. The population of senior and geriatric cats is increasing. Protein: 28.0% (min) | Fat: 18.0% (min) | Fiber: 3.5% (max) | Moisture: 8.0% (max) This senior cat food formula from Hill's Science Diet is one of the best cat foods for older cats available today, without a doubt. If were talking about cats who are truly nearing the end of their lives, I think the ideal food for them to eat is whatever they will actually eat. SS Hannah and DP LaFlamme, "Effect of Dietary Protein on Nitrogen Balance and Lean Body Mass in Cats," Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, no. More importantly for this discussion, neither AAFCO nor the NRC has ever established nutrient profiles for senior or geriatric "normal" cats. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. The NRC recommends an adult cat's diet contain at least 12.5 grams of crude protein (for an adult cat weighing 9 pounds and consuming 250 calories). Diet plan for senior cats - What they should be eating. Unfortunately, many cat treats are just as unhealthy as the 'junk food' people consume! Its not difficult for an animal to overeat and gain weight, Michel says. Seniors often fall short. Appetite loss is usually a sign of an underlying condition. Protein: Cats with diabetes tend to lose muscle mass, especially when their blood sugar is not yet well controlled. Hills Diet t/d Feline Dental Health Cat Food: Best Wet Cat Food For Older Cats With Bad Teeth. These might include: Timed Feeding. IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food - Weight & Hairball Care, Chicken 4 Sizes $10.99 Nutro Wholesome Essentials Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food - Non-GMO, Natural, Chicken & Brown Ric 2 Sizes $17.99 Purina Pro Plan Specialized Adult Dry Cat Food - Low Calorie, No Artificial Colors, Chicken & Rice 3 Sizes $17.99 $19.99 These changes might vary depending on any health issues your cat might have. Feed smaller portions at a time. This is a big mistake, as older cats have different nutritional needs than younger cats. Older cats still need plenty of high-quality protein, and this food delivers with salmon broth, salmon, and chicken as the first three ingredients. Krista Williams, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM, Contributors: Krista Williams, BSc, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM. Feeding more canned food will also increase water intake. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. To help your older cat enjoy her golden years, consider these simple suggestions. There are no specific nutrition guidelines for senior cats. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. As mentioned earlier, protein levels in food used to be blamed for this phenomenon. Moderate to High Fat Levels Around the age of 11 or 12, a cat's ability to digest fat starts to decline. This is because most adult cat food is high in protein. "The bottom line is, 10 calories more than a cat needs in a day adds up to a pound of body fat in a year. Excessive sodium in the diet can contribute to kidney disease and hypertension, both of which can be present for long periods of time before clinical signs emerge. This condition can be treated so that your cat will return to eating normally. Increasing their fat intake can keep their body weight up, keep their skin from getting dry and flaky and their fur shiny. Once kidney disease is diagnosed, however, a kidney support diet with a modified protein component optimizes longevity and quality of life. Probably the most popular prescription food out there for older cats suffering with renal disease, many vets view Hill's K/D as the best cat food for older cats with kidney problems. Here's what to look out for when picking the best diet for your cat: Complete: Always feed your cat a food that is labelled 'complete' because this means that it contains all the nutrients they need. This may mean placing food and water bowls in more than one place as well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You can start to introduce dry food at 6 weeks, but the main food should be wet food that is high in protein. Our feline friends are considered to be elder when they reach 11 years old. Apparently . One of the best senior cat food for reluctant eaters too. Cats are carnivores by nature. Antioxidants break down free radicals, which can cause a myriad of health issues in old cats. If youre feeding your cat homemade or higher quality cat food, a high-protein diet is very important as your cat ages. "There is no perfect food, because every older cat has its set of problems, Wakshlag says. Snacks from the table are not balanced at all and may contain high levels of fat and sodium. Turned out she was simply dehydrated. And last, but certainly not least, the best food for older cats will smell and taste irresistible in order to stimulate their appetite. There are also flavor sprinkles you can add to your cats food. Lots of senior cats have issues keeping weight on. Any time your cat wont eat (unless youve just switched their food), call your veterinarian. These can be a little pricey but if you have a cat thats refusing to eat, they can help. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Your veterinarian can offer advice on choosing a diet that provides appropriate nutrition and the right amount of calories for your aging cat. P Nguyen, V Lerray, H Dumon, et al., ", 26. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Animal product-based protein is best, as opposed to plant-based protein sources. Antioxidants can donate electrons to free radicals without becoming free radicals themselves, thereby breaking the cycle of molecular and cellular damage. Your veterinarian can offer advice on choosing a diet that provides appropriate nutrition and the right amount of calories for your aging cat. There have been two studies examining the protein requirements needed to maintain lean muscle mass in adult, colony cats. Suitable diets for cats with kidney problems often have less salt and protein than standard cat foods. Such changes can be signs of common diseases or dental problems that should be addressed by your veterinarian. Fresh water and good food are vital to cats of any age, but may be particularly important for older cats. Vitamin E, Vitamin C (citric acid), Vitamin A, carotenoids and selenium are all fantastic antioxidants you can find in supplement form specifically for cats. Make sure that your cat gets enough water throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Older cats need more protein than kittens do! Don't forget the basics. It is more important than ever for your cat to be a healthy weight to maintain optimum health. "They may become more dependent on relationships and require more attention. Life stage: Adult and senior | Nutritional breakdown: Moderate protein and fat, low . Avoids favorite resting place (and finds places to hide instead); Any change in behavior or health - acute or gradual - warrants a visit to your veterinarian without delay. Cat parents see weight loss and a poor hair coat as the vague signs of aging, not an indication of a potential problem. He found not one of them improved from a restricted protein diet. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC, an Internet Brands company. Homemade food often doesnt have the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals. Association of American Feed Control Officials. Combine the meat with the mixture. In the United States, the primary sources for minimum nutritional requirements in healthy cats are the National Research Council , the. "Some cats may need more emotional support as they age and others may prefer to be left alone," he explains. House cats evolved from hunters who ate high amounts of protein and some fat and carbohydrates. Eggs are at the top with 100% every bit of them has usable protein. Talk to your veterinarian about how and when to transition your cat to a senior food. Cats thrive on routine, and changes in their routine can cause a lot of stress. Required fields are marked *. Often, there is no clear sign of dental disease. Have multiple bowls of varied sizes in different areas and all floors of your home. The second study examined the effects of two isocaloric diets containing a low or high amount of proteins. Solid Gold Indigo Moon with Chicken & Eggs Grain-Free High-Protein Dry Cat Food Ziwi Peak Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food 3 More Top-Rated Cat Foods for Weight Gain in Underweight Cats Nutro Wild Frontier Real Chicken & Beef, Real Salmon & Trout Multipack Adult Canned Food Blue Buffalo Wilderness Mature Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Food They still need the same type of diet today. As your cat gets older, their sense of smell fades, which makes food less appetizing. Most Delicious Senior Cat Food: Royal Canin Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food "I do not recommend getting a young kitten to rejuvenate your older cat - a rambunctious kitten climbing all over your cat may be more detrimental than helpful, and people have a tendency to focus on the young cat and ignore the older one," Dr. Levine says. In the past, veterinarians commonly recommended reduced protein diets for older cats to protect their kidneys, but this is no longer the case. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for a number of reasons. If your older cat can no longer jump on his favorite windowsill, create box steps, ramps, or purchase pet stairs that allow him to safely reach a special spot on his own. Available in two different sizes. Provides cats 11 and older with taurine for heart health, and balanced minerals for bladder & kidney health. Scientists assumed this was because of the high protein in these foods. Tiki Cat Savory Broth adds flavor, hydration, and nutrients to any cat's diet. EN Bermingham, DG Thomas, PJ Morris and AJ Hawthorne, ", 18. Reviewed for accuracy on November 18, 2019, by Dr. Liz Bales, VMD. Aging, however, interferes with a cat's sensitivity to thirst which is already low in cats and predisposes them to dehydration. Dry food. AK Hewson-Hughes, VL Hewson-Hughes, AT Miller, et al., ", 19. Many vets recommend that cats with diabetes eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, which may help them gain better control over the disease. $12 from Chewy. In their senior years, felines start to fall prey to many of the same ailments as we do. Hill's Prescription Diet k/d Kidney Care Wet Cat Food. All rights reserved. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Most havent been well-studied in cats. For many years, research seemed to show that older cats do better on reduced protein diets. This is also best for senior cats 7 and . Keep him safely inside your home to protect him from cars and predators. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Dry Cat Food. Tiki Cat Savory Broth, Grain Free Lickable Wet Food Treat Flavor Booster With Salmon, 12 pack. Cats are natural hunters. A diet high in moisture is vital for a senior cat, so offer multiple bowls of water around the house - or a small bowl of pet bone broth can help. Since many of the diseases commonly found in older cats can be detected early on, your cat's veterinarian may recommend a nutrient profile to deal specifically with any current medical concerns. Best Cat Food for Seniors: Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Adult 7+ Best Sensitive Stomach Cat Food: Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe Best Newcomer Cat Food Brand: Made by Nacho Dry Cat Food Best Hairball Control Cat Food: Hill's Science Diet Urinary Hairball Control 12 Best Cat Food Options, According to Vets Best Overall Cat Food The best cat bed for elderly cats is one that is warm, comfortable, and placed . Can you feed your senior cat kitten food? It contains all the nutrients their bodies need. Therefore you need to amp up the flavor of your cats food. Veterinarians.org Review: Our team at veterinarians.org is giving Tiki Canned Food an overall 10/10 star rating. Increasing the fat in their foods is fine as long as your cat isnt overweight. Science backs this up protein is good for senior cats. A cat's digestion is also improved by feeding them small, frequent meals throughout the day and night. Your vet can recommend a diet to help support healthy aging. Proper hydration is also important for the senior cat. Finally, and most importantly, maintaining a good relationship with your veterinarian is critical when discussing care and quality of life for your cat in their senior years. Many vets recommend that cats with diabetes eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, can... And balanced minerals for bladder & amp ; kidney health nor the NRC has ever established nutrient profiles senior! All rights reserved health cat food for older cats have different nutritional needs than younger cats `` Cookie Settings to! Advice on choosing a diet that provides appropriate nutrition and the right amount of proteins a number of reasons year. Needs than younger cats, 19 the table are not balanced at all and may contain levels... 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