- Older cats (11 years+) usually require calorie-dense foods.
- Look for foods that contain 30-40% quality, digestible protein (dry matter basis), as long as your cat has no chronic diseases.
- Good senior cat food will have added vitamins and essential fatty acids (EFAs) to support your cat’s digestive system and health.
- Canned/wet food is recommended for senior cats, perhaps with small amounts of kibble.
- Smell and palatability are important because older cats can sometimes lose their appetite.
- Senior cats should be fed small, regular portions to aid digestion.
- If your cat has an age-related illness, then it may require a medically-formulated cat food.
What kind of food should an aging cat eat?
Healthy, aging cats should eat a product that’s 30-40% protein (dry basis). Wet food appears to be low in protein because, according to the label, it has around 10% crude protein. This is because it contains a lot of moisture.
Should senior cats have a low-protein diet?
It’s a common misconception that all senior cats should be placed on a low-protein diet. Aging cats need as much protein as younger cats, but the protein must be high-quality and easily digestible. However, cats with kidney disease should consume less protein. You might think that there’s not much difference between a mature cat and a senior cat.
What kind of protein is good for older cats?
Older Cats and Protein – A Delicate Balance. A highly digestible protein source like chicken should be listed first, indicating it is the predominant ingredient by weight. Eggs also have an exceptionally high biologic value for cats, meaning that the protein is actually utilized by the body rather than excreted as waste.
What kind of food should I Feed my Cat with CKD?
CKD Cats can really feel sick and refuse their food when phosphorus levels escalate. As a result of Dr. Finco’s work and the researchers who followed, many veterinarians are now recommending diets that contain excellent, highly digestible and assimitable quality protein are appropriate for kitties with kidney and liver issues.
Should older cats eat high protein food?
Higher protein: A higher protein diet helps older cats maintain their lean body mass. Because some geriatric cats experience less efficient protein digestion as they age, dietary protein sources should be high quality and highly digestible.
How much protein should a senior cat eat?
Therefore, to help maintain lean body mass and promote optimum health, geriatric cats should receive diets that will provide at least 6-8 g, and preferably more, of high quality protein/kg body weight per day.
What can I give my cat for protein?
Common sources of animal proteins in cat food include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. In addition to seeing these animal proteins on a label, you may also see different meat meals or meat by-products.
What can feed my senior cat to put weight on?
Your veterinarian can also prescribe high-calorie cat foods like Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Recovery RS canned cat food or Hill's Prescription Diet a/d Urgent Care canned cat food. These formulations are highly digestible and provide the extra calories your cat needs to gain weight.
Do old cats need protein?
According to Dr. Becker, premature aging in cats, digestion, organ dysfunction and detoxification is created by diets that are hard to digest and assimilate. Fortunately, however, many veterinarians are becoming aware that in fact, elderly cats actually need more protein than younger kitties.
What is the healthiest cat food for older cats?
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.
What is the healthiest protein for cats?
The best protein sources for cats come from animals, including meats and fish.Chicken is a wonderful source of protein for cats and is often included in high-protein dry cat foods. ... Salmon can provide cats with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids as well as being a nutritious source of protein.More items...•
What protein is easiest for a cat to digest?
Look for labels that contain chicken, lamb, rabbit, pig's heart, pig's liver, etc., at the top of the ingredients list instead of meat meal or by-products. Studies have shown that muscle meats and organs are highly digestible forms of protein for cats.
Which wet cat food has the highest protein?
The most recommended wet cat foods with high-protein content are Tiki Cat Hanalei Luau in Wild Salmon, Purina Pro Plan True Nature Grain-Free Formula Natural Turkey & Chicken Entree, and Wellness Turkey and Salmon Complete Health Pate.
How do you fatten up an old cat?
8 Tips to Fatten a Cat the Healthy WayUse Kitten Canned Food. ... Prefer Canned or Wet Food Over Dry Food. ... Increase the Food Amount Gradually. ... Supplement Fish Oil. ... Offer Healthy Homemade Treats and Prices. ... Make The Food More Attractive. ... Have More Than One Option. ... Keep An Eye On Sensitivities and Intolerances.
Why is my elderly cat so skinny?
What's going on? 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, to name a few.
Why do cats get skinny when they get old?
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. Most are readily suspected and confirmed based on physical examination and routine laboratory testing.
How much protein do cats need daily?
Cats need at least two grams of protein per pound of healthy body weight in the number of calories they consume each day.
Can I give my cat too much protein?
Feeding a diet that is higher in protein than pets need does not result in any health benefits. However, for a healthy pet, excess protein is unlikely to be harmful, either. The extra protein will just be broken down by the body and eliminated in the urine.
How much protein do 12 year old cats need?
To prevent sarcopenia from aging, a cat needs additional calories and protein. After age 12, this need increases 10-60%, or at least 6.0 – 8.5 grams per kilogram of body weight a day.
How much should my senior cat eat?
Most senior cats will have about the same caloric needs as an adult cat—roughly 280 to 360 daily calories depending on the normal lean weight—as long as they are healthy. Some older cats will actually have an increase in energy requirements.
What supplements should you give a senior cat?
Antioxidants break down free radicals, which can cause a myriad of health issues in old 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.
Why is it important to hydrate a senior cat?
Hydration is incredibly important for senior cats. Many cats don’t drink enough water, and this can lead to renal failure. Once I took my cat to the emergency vet because she was incredibly sick. It was a sudden illness, she was lethargic and hot to the touch. I thought she was dying, it was terrifying. Turned out she was simply dehydrated. Dehydration can make even a young and healthy cat very sick.
Why does my cat's taste fade?
As your cat gets older , their sense of smell fades, which makes food less appetizing. You’ve probably experienced a similar phenomenon when you’ve had a cold. When you can’t taste your food, it’s less enjoyable to eat it. Therefore you need to amp up the flavor of your cat’s food.
Can a cat lose weight?
Older cats often struggle with health issues, either gaining too much weight or losing weight. Both can cause serious problems. First, you’ll want to raise concerns with your vet, especially if the weight loss/gain is sudden. If your cat is otherwise healthy other than their weight, there are ways you can help normalize their weight.
What is the most important nutrient for cats?
Water is the single most important nutrient for cats of any age. Aging, however, interferes with a cat's sensitivity to thirst which is already low in cats and predisposes them to dehydration.
When to switch to senior cat food?
At an approximate mid-life point, when a cat is considered mature (7-10 years old), it is common for cats to gain some weight and exhibit age-related physical and behavior changes. But before you consider switching to a senior cat food formula, it is important to first consult with your cat's veterinarian for a thorough physical and metabolic evaluation. 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.
When is a cat considered to be senior or geriatric?
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) consider cats between 11-14 years of age to be senior while geriatric cats are 15 years and older.
How old are cats considered senior?
When is a cat considered to be senior or geriatric? The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) consider cats between 11-14 years of age to be senior while geriatric cats are 15 years and older.
How to keep cats from drinking water?
Some cats prefer to drink running water – if your cat prefers water from the tap, invest in a water fountain for them. Clean and freshen water bowls regularly to eliminate built up debris that may deter your cat. Feeding more canned food will also increase water intake.
Why is it important to monitor your cat's body condition?
It is important to closely monitor your cat’s body condition and muscle condition and keep both in a good range as discussed in the handout “Obesity in Cats.”. Maintaining healthy body condition and muscle mass reduces the risk for many diseases including cancer, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, and immune-mediated disease.
Why is portion feeding important for cats?
Portion feeding plays an important role in controlling calorie intake and decreasing your cat's chance of becoming overweight or obese. On the other hand, portion feeding also helps you identify a decreased or absent appetite early on, which could signal underlying medical problems.
What to feed a senior cat?
According to Dr. Becker, the most important thing in feeding senior cats is to provide them with the highest quality protein. Feeding a highly digestible protein that contains high moisture content makes it so much easier for their aging organs to process.
What is the best diet for cats with kidney issues?
As a result of Dr. Finco’s work and the researchers who followed, many veterinarians are now recommending diets that contain excellent, highly digestible and assimitable quality protein are appropriate for kitties with kidney and liver issues. Most importantly, many veterinarians now recommend restricting phosphorus levels in the cats’ diets when it becomes necessary.
Why do elderly cats need reduced protein?
In an article about feeding elderly cats, she writes, “For many years, veterinarians recommended reduced protein diets for older cats.” She continues by explaining why veterinarians suggested feeding elderly cats a reduced protein diet because, “After a lifetime of eating commercial pet food containing poor quality protein that is difficult to digest, a cat’s kidney and liver function is compromised. As crazy as it sounds, reduced-protein senior cat formulas came into being because of the terrible quality of cat foods on the market.”
How to keep elderly cats interested in the world?
With moderate exercise utilizing interactive playtime, providing a window box for your cat to gaze at the great outdoors, or a safe enclosed “Catio”, hiding treats in No Bowls Feeding Systems these are all excellent methods to keep your geriatric cat’s mind active and alert. Your elderly cat still is an amazing predator who needs to have her instinctive nature stimulated.
Why do cats eat?
Cats must eat in order to prevent serious liver problems. Many cats often become highly addicted to poor quality cat food. If your senior cat happens to be a “junk-food addict”, Dr. Becker recommends “Adding a whole body supplement.” Your veterinarian can prescribe the most appropriate supplements, especially tailored to your special cat’s needs.
Do older cats need more protein?
Fortunately, however, many veterinarians are becoming aware that in fact, elderly cats actually need more protein than younger kitties. In 1992, Dr. Delmar Finco, a veterinary nutritionist discovered through his research, that as pets age, the requirements for protein really increase.
Do cats eat meat?
As obligate carnivores, cats require meat as their diet mainstay. With the wide variety of cat food available today that is designed to meet the nutritional needs of this elderly feline population, it can be rather confusing to decide on which brands to feed.
What fatty acids are good for cats?
Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Most older cats suffer from some degree of arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis by reducing inflammation and the activity of enzymes that break down joint cartilage.
How old can a cat be to digest fat?
Moderate to High Fat Levels. Around the age of 11 or 12, a cat’s ability to digest fat starts to decline. Fats contain more calories per gram than either proteins or carbohydrates do, so this can have a major effect on an older cat’s ability to extract calories (energy) from food. Diets for older cats should contain a moderate to high level of fat, ...
Why is my cat's food low in phosphorus?
High blood-phosphorous levels can leach calcium from the bones, make cats feel unwell, lead to more kidney damage and cause other problems within the body. For these reasons, senior cat foods generally contain reduced levels of phosphorus. High-quality protein sources contain less phosphorous than do those of low quality.
Why is muscle loss so bad for cats?
The loss of muscle mass is especially concerning because these individuals are at increased risk of illness and death. Studies reveal that 15% of cats over the age of 12 have a body condition below the ideal, and cats who are over 14 years of age are 15 times more likely to be skinnier than they should be. Senior cat food must contain enough ...
What does it mean when a cat is older?
Jennifer Coates, DVM. Digestive, physiology and nutritional needs change as cats gets older, which means that what they ate when they were younger may no longer be ideal. And with our cats living longer than ever, finding the best nutritionally formulated food ...
How do experienced vets answer your pet questions?
Experienced vets answer all your pet questions via chat or video.
Can cats become finicky?
Cats can become extremely finicky as they get older, so I consider it a great success if we can get them to eat a nutritious diet. If we’re 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.
What is the emphasis on protein?
The emphasis should be high-quality protein from easy to digest sources such as eggs, rabbit, hare, poultry, among others. Their metabolism does not lead to the formation of a lot of toxins.
Do senior cats require high or low protein foods?
Whereas there might have been an emphasis for lower protein in diets for senior cats, there is no basis for such a consideration unless they have a medical condition that requires this nutrient to be low.
How much protein should a senior cat eat?
According to the National Academies, a healthy cat that weighs 9 lbs and consumes 250 calories per day should eat 12.5g of protein per day.
What is senior cat food?
Good senior cat food will have added vitamins and essential fatty acids (EFAs) to support your cat’s digestive system and health.
Why is it important for older cats to have a good smelling cat food?
Smell and palatability are important because older cats can sometimes lose their appetite. Senior cats should be fed small, regular portions to aid digestion. If your cat has an age-related illness, then it may require a medically-formulated cat food.
Why do cats need omega 3?
Added omega 3 fatty acids because cats struggle to absorb fats as they get older. Prebiotics/probiotics to support digestion. Easily digestible starches (corn, pea, sorghum). Fiber to promote digestion (i.e., beet pulp). Calorie-dense compared to adult or mature cat food.
What percentage of cat food is digestible?
If you pick a good-quality, reputable brand, the cat food will have many (if not all) of the following characteristics: 30-40% (dry basis adjusted) digestible protein from whole, single sources. Look for cat foods that contain muscle meat or organ meat at the top of the ingredients list.
What is the protein content of cat food?
Less Protein – These cat foods contain around 20–30% protein (dry feed basis). The protein is high-quality to reduce the burden on the kidneys. Rabbit or plant-based isolates are the primary protein sources used.
What happens when a cat eats protein?
When a healthy cat eats protein, its kidneys filter out the waste products from the protein, and these waste products are expelled in the cat’s urine. Cats with kidney problems cannot perform this function efficiently, so they get a build-up of toxic waste products in their blood.
Weight management in older cats
While weight management is a common feline battle, it presents even more of an issue in older cats. In many cases, senior cats tend to gain weight and have a tendency towards obesity, because they are less active than in their younger years and may experience a slower metabolism.
Nutrient requirements of older cats
While older cats require the same fundamental nutrients as younger cats, these nutrients are often delivered in different quantities to address the unique needs of this population.
Keeping your older cat hydrated
As cats age, they often become less sensitive to thirst than they were as younger cats. Additionally, a number of common medical conditions in older cats (such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, and hyperthyroidism) can lead to dehydration. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that older cats are obtaining enough water.
Everything in moderation
Many owners enjoy giving their cat treats, whether they are using commercial cat treats or the occasional bite of tuna. Depending on your cat’s overall health and any underlying medical conditions, you may be able to continue to do so.
When Do Cats Start to Get Old?
7 years old is the middle age for most cats and “senior care” programmes will be suggested to be provided to your cat.
High Protein vs Low Protein
Food supply is one of the most important parts of caring for your older cat. What to feed an older cat was a debated topic. The major point of contention is the daily intake of protein.
