This is our review of the best senior cat food packed with goodness.
Cats are amazing pets to have. They are playful, mischievous, and loving. Of course, when they are young, they need proper nutrition. But their dietary needs change when they start to grow, thus the need for the best senior cat foods.
These foods are essential since they contain minerals suited for adult cats. As a parent whose cat is approaching ripe old age, you must look for the best food. However, there are different cat foods, and choosing the one that suits your feline friend’s nutritional needs can be daunting.
However, you don’t have to worry. Here is a compilation of the best 11 senior cat foods. Our team tested them to see if they meet senior kitties’ nutritional needs. From this, we found Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food to be the best overall.
This is because it contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to meet the energy requirements for a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, it contains taurine to support heart and eye health in aging cats. Also, you will find a helpful guide to aid in selecting the best senior cat food. So, let’s get into it.
Senior Cat Care
Getting the best senior cat food is among the vital things to include in your cat care list. As they age, their needs change. Yes, cat care does not involve grooming only; they need proper meals too.
As cats transition into adulthood, they’ll need foods for their age to meet their nutritional requirement. The right food will also keep their bodies active and minds engaged. But most importantly, they will stay healthy.
What is the Best Senior Cat Food? Our Top Pick
Our list contains different senior cat foods. All these foods meet the nutritional needs of senior cats. But as a rule of thumb, there’s always the best among thousands. The best cat food for senior cats is Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food .
This is because it contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to meet energy requirements for a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, it contains taurine to support heart and eye health in aging cats. Lastly, it is packed with antioxidants and vitamins to support the immune system.
How Much Should I Feed My Senior Cat?
How much should you feed a cat? Feeding your cat depends on age, size, activity level, and body condition. Nonetheless, each cat contains unique needs. Therefore, feeding amounts could vary.
In this case, feeding senior cats will depend on the type of food. Since cat foods can either be wet or dry, the serving varies. For instance, if you are feeding a high-quality dry food with a good protein source, an indoor cat will require about ⅓ to ½ cups per day.
On the other hand, if you feed commercially produced high-quality food, provide 4 to 5 ounces per day (113 to 142 grams). To be sure, seek advice from your vet.
The Importance of Proper Food for Older Cats
When cats get older, they no longer need the foods they used to eat. At this stage, they need more energy. They also need a lot of nutrients since their bodies undergo a lot of activities. This calls for a good diet. But how will they benefit? Check out below.
Enhances Antioxidant Levels
The first importance of feeding senior cats the right food is boosting antioxidant levels. By proper food, it means the ones that benefit their bodies. Senior cats need food that fits their nutritional needs. These foods contain antioxidants, and administering them will enhance a strong immune system.
This, in return, reduces cell damage. But unfortunately, as cats age, the levels of antioxidants decline. So, these naturally occurring nutrients help maintain a cat’s health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. Therefore, ensure that the antioxidants are at moderate levels to be effective.
Highly Digestible Ingredients
Proper senior cat food contains easily digestible ingredients. Typically, most old cats tend to face the issue of indigestion. When it happens, they get uncomfortable. One way to help them is to give them food that is easy to digest.
Indigested foods will cause various issues, such as bloating. But when you feed them with the proper meal, your senior cat’s aging digestive system will benefit from the ingredients. Moreover, it helps prevent toxin build-up in the colon and supports overall gut health.
Optimizes the Calorie Levels
The right calorie levels help senior cats maintain an ideal body and support joint health. Foods for senior cats should have energy-dense kibble to maintain their body weight. Senior cats with a controlled or low-calorie level are less likely to become obese.
This reduces their chances of developing high cholesterol. However, veterinarians insist on feeding senior cats an energy-dense diet to maintain healthy body weight.
Provides Concentrated, High-Quality Protein
Good senior cat food should contain a reasonable amount of proteins. Proteins are essential since they help in building the body. The protein should be absorbable into the cat’s body tissues. On the contrary, it shouldn’t come from animals alone; plants, too, have proteins.
Animal proteins are absorbed easily, while plant proteins can take time to digest. For better results, get good quality animal protein with enough water for better health. One thing to note is to select food that will not cause metabolic issues. Since cats have different needs, seek advice from your vet.
Healthy Coat
Like human beings, senior cats start losing hair when they age. This is a significant disadvantage because it exposes them to various health issues. For instance, they might get skin diseases since most of their coats will be exposed. To solve this issue, feed them a proper diet. Foods that contain enough minerals will help them have strong and healthy coats.
Strong Teeth and Joints
Senior cats need a proper diet to help strengthen their teeth and joints. As cats age, their teeth and joints need enough nutrients. The contents found in senior cat food will strengthen their teeth to help chewing and joints to help in walking and conducting other activities.
Geriatric Cat Food vs. Regular Adult Cat Food
At some point, you might have been tone between the decision of buying a regular adult or geriatric cat food. Of course, as a pet parent, you want food that will fit the dietary needs of your old pet. However, something makes one of these foods stand out. So, which is which? Geriatric or regular adult cat food? Continue browsing to find out.
First, geriatric cat food is lower in calories and protein than regular adult cat food. This is because senior cats are not as active as younger cats. As a result, the low levels will not compromise the function of their liver and kidneys. Furthermore, these foods are soft to suit your cat’s brittle teeth.
While many pet parents can’t differentiate between the two foods, most feed their senior and adult cats the same food; they don’t know that they have different dietary needs. For this reason, feed them according to their age to help their bodies get the proper nutrients.
The Nutritional Requirements for Senior Cats
Cats require enough nutrients in their bodies to make them strong and healthy. In this case, nutrients come from proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. They play a specific and vital role in the cat’s body. Check out the breakdown of each nutrient.
Proteins and amino acids: Cats require proteins and amino acids to help build their bodies. Cats are carnivores, meaning they should get a good percentage of proteins from animal products such as fish and meat. Proteins contain ten specific amino acids, including arginine and taurine. Since cats can’t make it for themselves, find foods that have plenty of this.
Fats and fatty acids: Other than proteins, cats require fats. This is a must since they act as carriers for fat-soluble vitamins. In addition, they play a role in cell structure and function, keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy, and make the food tasty. You can get this from animal fats and seed oils since they have fatty acids that cats can’t make on their own.
Carbohydrates and fiber: Carbohydrates, such as cereals, legumes, and other plant foods, are not required in high amounts, but a little play a vital role in a cat’s diet. This is because they provide a good source of energy, which they use to sustain the everyday activities of their daily lives.
Vitamins: Vitamins in your cat’s food include; vitamins A, D, E, K, B1, B6, B12, and folic acid, among others. They are essential in a wide range of metabolic activities. However, some vitamins are not only critical in small doses but are also toxic in large amounts.
Minerals: Cats require minerals in their diets. Examples include; calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine. Pet food manufacturers typically add a vitamin-mineral mix into their formulas to ensure the diets contain the correct amounts of each ingredient. Read our article and find out 7 Best Cat Vitamins and Supplements.
Water: Though they have a weak thirst drive, cats also require unrestricted access to fresh and clean water. Give your cat at least 2 milliliters (½ teaspoon) of water for every gram of dry food they eat. This will help them stay hydrated and aid in digestion.
The Best Senior Feline Cat Food – at a Glance
- Human Grade Fresh: Ground Bird Recipe by Smalls – Best Subscription based
- Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food – Best overall
- IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Senior Dry Mature Cat Food – Best for senior indoor cats
- Hill's Science Diet Dry Food – Best high-energy senior cat food
- Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Dry Cat Food – Best for cats with weight issues
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Mature Dry Cat Food – Best grain-free dry senior cat food
- Purina Pro Plan Senior Cat Food – Best for easing digestion
- Purina Fancy Feast High Protein Senior Gravy Wet Cat Food – Best wet canned food for senior cats
- Hill's Science Diet Senior 7+ Canned Cat Food – Best for picky senior cats
- Purina Pro Plan Pate High Protein Senior Wet Cat Food – Best for cats with heart issues
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Mature Pate Wet Cat Food – Best wet senior cat food with high protein
- Royal Canin Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy Variety Pack Wet Cat Food – Best for cats with kidney disease
What Should I Look for in Geriatric Cat Food?
Before getting geriatric cat food, there are some important things that you need to have at your fingertips. These aspects will help you select the one that fits your feline friend. In the end, they’ll develop a robust immune system. So here are the things to help you choose the right cat food.
Water Content
Water content tops the vital aspects to help you purchase the right cat food. Water contributes a lot to the health of your cat. It keeps them hydrated and prevents various health issues like urinary tract infections. Getting food that contains enough water content will help in the digestion process.
Softness
Geriatric cat food should be soft. As mentioned earlier, cats have weak teeth. Giving them hard or dry food might hurt their gums and make their teeth fall. Administering soft food will help protect their teeth. Furthermore, soft food is easy to digest. Before settling for your divine friend’s food, ensure it is soft enough.
Fibre Content
The third aspect to consider is fiber content. Like human beings, fiber contributes a lot to the health of cats. It eases digestion and aid in bowel movements. Feed your cat foods without fiber, and wait for various health issues. As a pet parent, research well and get the one with the right amount of fiber. Ensure that it is moderate because too much of it is not advisable.
Low-Fat Content
Fat is associated with a lot of advantages and disadvantages. Starting with the positive side, it helps supply essential fatty acids that the body can’t synthesize. It also aids in the formation of cell structures. But, on the contrary, too much of it can cause various health issues such as heart disease. So, look for the one with low-fat content.
Taste
How you can differentiate foods with different tastes is how cats can tell between sweet and sour. Of course, you wouldn’t expect your kitty to rejoice when you give them spoiled food. Still, on this, cats’ taste changes as they age. They will notice different tastes quickly.
Before selecting a type of cat food, ensure it is something they can enjoy. Look for the one with nutritional values and the ingredients and flavors. This way, you’ll be able to satisfy your cat and boost its health status.
Smell
Just like the taste, cats can differentiate different odors. Different geriatric cat foods have different smells depending on the ingredients and flavor. When a particular food smells bad, your cat will not like it.
But if it has a pleasant smell, they’ll run at the sight of it. Also, they might shift from one type of food to another. So, do your maths well and try to administer variety from a tender age.
Texture
Closing the list of the vital things to consider is texture. The texture is simply the feel of a certain product. Additionally, it can either be rough or soft. Most senior cats lose teeth, and here is where the food’s texture makes a difference. For this reason, they prefer wet food or kibble softened with warm water, but a few can deal with crunchy ones.
The Best Senior Feline Food Reviewed
With the buying guide above, it’s a fact that you are ready to step out and purchase food for your senior cat. So, check out the following senior feline foods. Who knows, you might find the one that fits your cat.
Human Grade Fresh: Ground Bird Recipe by Smalls
Best Subscription-based cat food service
Smalls is a subscription-based service offering high-quality cat food made with all-natural ingredients and real chicken, birds, or beef as the main ingredient. The food is delivered right to your doorstep and has been available for over 5 years. In the subscription process, you provide information about your cat and Smalls creates personalized recipes, including a starter test pack.
Pros and Cons of Smalls Cat Food:
Pros:
- Made with all-natural ingredients
- Main ingredient is real chicken, birds, or beef
- Doorstep delivery
- Personalized recipes
- No chicken by-products
- No wheat, corn, or soybean
Cons:
- Subscription required
- May require canceling if your cat needs a change in diet
Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food – Best Overall
General Description
Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food is our best pick because it helps develop a robust immune system, healthy heart, eyes, and easy digestion. As cats age, they become sensitive to almost everything. First, they form a strong sense of smell and are prone to various health issues such as heart disease.
As the best dry cat food for senior cats, it contains a pleasant taste from real meat as the first ingredient and a high-quality protein from real chicken. The proteins are essential since they help in building and maintaining strong muscles. Additionally, it contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruits.
Proteins and carbohydrates satisfy the energy requirements for a healthy lifestyle. In addition, you won’t have to worry about heart and eye health since it contains taurine. This formula also contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists.
This dry cat food contains the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals. It is safe because it lacks chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Product Highlights
- High-quality proteins
- It contains taurine, which aids in heart and eye health
- Enhances easy digestion
Things to Consider
- Suitable for all breed sizes
- Dry cat food
- Features the finest natural ingredients
What We Like
- Easy to digest
- Good for eyes and hearts health
- Contains natural ingredients
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats experience frequent urination after eating this food.
Brand Blue: Buffalo
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken and brown rice
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Senior Dry Mature Cat Food – Best for Senior Indoor Cats
General Description
If searching for the best dry cat food for seniors, opt for IAMS Proactive Health Senior Dry Mature Cat Food. It contains chicken as the first ingredient to support strong muscles and provide healthy energy for play.
Furthermore, it contains essential nutrients, calcium, and phosphorus, to nourish strong bones and healthy joints. Other than that, it helps maintain a healthy weight with L-carnitine. It comes from the U.S.A. with the world’s finest ingredients. Using this product will restore the immune responses of your cat, thanks to the presence of vitamin E and antioxidants.
Moreover, it is the best cat food for senior indoor cats who require high energy levels. The natural fibers improve digestion and litter box cleaning for your older cat. Besides that, it provides your mature cat with optimal nutrients for eye, heart, kidney & joint health.
Product Highlights
- High levels of nutrients for a healthy body
- It helps maintain a healthy weight
- Safe due to natural ingredients
Things to consider
- Veterinarian recommended
- Made in the U.S.A.
- Natural ingredients
What We Like
- Has nutrients that aid in boosting the immune system
- Safe as it is veterinarian recommended
- Fuels the cat’s energy levels
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats produce stinkier stools.
Brand: IAMS
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Hill's Science Diet Dry Food – Best High Energy Senior Cat Food
General Description
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food will help fuel the energy needs of senior cats with an indoor lifestyle. This dry cat food contains natural fibers to improve digestion and litter box cleaning for your older cat.
On top of that, it provides your mature cat with optimal nutrients for eye, heart, kidney & joint health. In addition, you don’t have to worry about its safety since it comes from the U.S.A and contains natural ingredients. Another thing that makes it safe is that veterinarians recommend it.
Product Highlights
- It is safe
- Fuels energy
- Suitable for cats who stay indoors
Things to Consider
- Ingredients
- Vet recommended
What We Liked
- Contains natural ingredients
- Improves digestion
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats produce stinkier stools.
Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Natural Dry Cat Food – Best for Cats With Weight Issues
General Description
NUTRO WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Natural Dry Cat Food contains real chicken. It is the first ingredient in this delicious senior healthy cat food rich in nutrients and flavor. Furthermore, this cat food is fortified with essential nutrients like taurine to support heart health in aging cats and antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
Don’t worry about its safety since manufacturers made it with non-GMO ingredients from trusted farmers and suppliers. It lacks corn, wheat, soy, chicken by-product meal, artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
It contains Omega-6 fatty acids from natural fats for healthy skin and coats your favorite feline. In addition, this high-protein cat food has more of the chicken cats crave to help build and maintain lean muscle mass.
Proteins also make it the best cat food for senior cats to gain weight. The grain-free mature cat food will meet the unique needs of aging cats. Also, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health.
Product Highlights
- More protein, chicken to help build muscles
- Boost weight and energy levels
- Rich in nutrients and full of flavor
Things to Consider
- It contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Fortified with nutrients
What We Liked
- Boosts the energy levels
- Suitable for the coat and skin
- It contains antioxidants to build immunity
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats became ill after eating this food.
Brand: Nutro
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Mature Dry Cat Food – Best Grain-Free Dry Senior Cat Food
General Description
Sometimes all you want is for your cat to have good health and nothing more. However, this is possible with the best cat food, such as Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein and Natural Mature Dry Cat Food.
This high-protein cat food has more of the chicken cats crave to help build and maintain lean muscle mass. This grain-free mature cat food will meet the unique needs of a senior cat by supporting healthy weight and energy levels. Also, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health.
This formula also contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune system health. With the finest natural ingredients, it lacks chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Product Highlights
- It helps maintain healthy weight and energy levels
- Supports immune system
- It contains exclusive life-source bits
Things to Consider
- Suitable for all breeds
- Grain-free
- High protein
What We Like
- Contains natural ingredients
- Omega 2 and 6 and fatty acids to support skin and coat health
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit expensive
Brand: Blue Buffalo
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Purina Pro Plan Senior Cat Food – Best for Easing Digestion
General Description
If you are looking for probiotic cat food, opt for Purina Pro Plan Senior Cat Food. It comes in a 12.5 pounds (5 kilograms) bag, so you don’t have to worry about the weight. In addition, it contains high protein chicken & rice formulas to support the immune system.
Additionally, Purina senior cat food has a proprietary blend proven to improve and extend the life of older cats. Your cat will boost its energy levels and strong muscles with real chicken ingredients. In addition, the natural ingredients will support digestive and immune health.
Product Highlights
- Contains real chicken
- Natural ingredients
- Nutrients extend the life of older cats
Things to Consider
- Lightweight
- Contains probiotics
What We Like
- It supports the immune and digestive system
- Contains natural ingredients
What We Don’t Like
- A bit pricey
Brand: Purina Pro Plan
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken and Rice
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Purina Fancy Feast High Protein Senior Gravy Wet Cat Food – Best Wet Canned Food for Senior Cats
General Description
Senior cat foods need enough proteins to build the cat’s body. The best one, such as Purina Fancy Feast High Protein Senior Gravy Wet Cat Food, will boost your cat’s immunity. It is the best canned cat food for senior cats as it contains balanced nutrition for adult cats aged seven and older. Furthermore, it contains antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
Other than that, it has taurine, which helps maintain clear vision. When it comes to the skin, high levels of vitamin E will do wonders. The better part is that the high-protein cat food supports strong muscles. It is also the best cat food for senior cats with sensitive stomachs. Don’t worry about safety since the fancy senior cat food recipes are from U.S facilities.
Product Highlights
- It helps maintain clear vision
- Supports strong muscles
- Boosts immunity
Things to Consider
- High protein
- Premium wet cat food
- Suitable for senior cats
What We Like
- The high proteins support strong muscles
- The taurine in it is responsible for a clear vision
- Boosts the cat’s immunity
What We Didn’t Like
- Some cats vomit after eating this food.
Brand: Purina Fancy Feast
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Chicken
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Hill's Science Diet Senior 7+ Canned Cat Food – Best for Picky Senior Cats
General Description
Hill’s Science Diet Senior 7+ Canned Cat Food is irresistible wet cat food. It is easy to open and feed. In addition, the high-quality protein cat food will help your senior cat to maintain lean muscle. Also, your cat will surely love it due to its perfect taste and texture.
But, if you have picky four-legged friends, don’t worry; one taste will make them fall in love with the food. Nonetheless, it contains natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, to boost immunity.
As the best wet cat food for senior cats, it is veterinarian-recommended and comes from the U.S.A with the best ingredients you can trust.
Product Highlights
- Perfect taste and texture
- Safe as it comes from the U.S.A.
- Global ingredients
Things to Consider
- Natural ingredients
- Vet recommended
Things We Like
- Easy to feed
- Contains natural ingerdients
Things We Don’t Like
- Difficult to open the can
Brand: Hill’s Science Diet
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Tuna
Wet or Dry?: Wet
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Purina Pro Plan Pate High Protein Senior Wet Cat Food – Best for Cats With Heart Issues
General Description
Purina Pro Plan Pate High Protein Senior Wet Cat Food is the best food for your cat. It contains real salmon and tuna for a taste cats love. Besides that, your cat will not have difficulty digesting the food.
The best senior canned cat food has antioxidants and vitamins for a strong immune system. In addition, taurine will help maintain clear vision, while amino acids boost heart health. Don’t worry about the safety since it lacks artificial colors or preservatives.
Product Highlights
- Enhances a clear vision
- Easy to open the package
Things to Consider
- Best ingredients
- Digestible
What We Liked
- Safe as it lacks preservatives
- Nice taste
- Boost the immunity
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit pricey
Brand: Purina Pro Plan
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Salmon and Tuna
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Mature Pate Wet Cat Food – Best Wet Senior Cat Food With High Protein
General Description
If you are searching for food for senior cats, opt for Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Mature Pate Wet Cat Food. This grain-free mature cat food contains more chicken. Chicken is essential since it supports healthy muscle growth and has D.H.A. to promote cognitive development.
This high-protein senior cat food also features a smooth texture your feline friend can’t resist. All BLUE cat foods have the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals. In addition, this wet cat food lacks chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Product Highlights
- Vitamins and minerals to boost immunity
- High proteins build the muscles
Things to Consider
- Natural ingredients
- Smooth texture
What We Liked
- Supports healthy muscle growth
- No artificial flavors
- Safe since it contains natural ingredients
What We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
Brand: Blue Buffalo
Breed Recommendation: All sizes
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Red meat
Wet or Dry?: Dry
Age range: Senior
Topper or meal?: Meal
Royal Canin Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy Variety Pack Wet Cat Food – Best for Cats With Kidney Disease
General Description
Another cat food to consider is Royal Caning Aging Wet Cat Food. It is among the best senior cat foods because it contains Omega-3 fatty acids that help maintain healthy joints to keep aging cats active.
It satisfies the pickiest eaters with an instinctively preferred ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. In addition, it is the best cat food for seniors with kidney disease with controlled phosphorus levels.
Product Highlights
- Best for all breeds
- It contains proteins, fats, and carbohydrates
Things to consider
- Natural ingredients
- For aging cats
What We Liked
- Supports kidney health
- Nice taste
- Supports joint health
What We Didn’t Like
- Expensive
Brand: Royal Canin
Breed Recommendation: Medium breeds
Lifestage: Adult
Flavor/s: Original
Wet or Dry?: Wet
Age range: Adult
Topper or meal?: Meal
Understanding the Package Labels
By now, you’ve done the best-taking care of your cat. Regular grooming and giving it the best food to make it healthy and comfortable. But do you understand the package label? A cat food label is a legal document regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
It indicates a brief description of the food constituents. However, when you first look at it, it’s clear that you’ll get confused due to a lot of information. Some of the things that are on the label include ingredients and guaranteed analysis.
With that in mind, here is what they mean to help you interpret the label. This will also help you make the best decision for your future purchases.
Ingredients
Ingredients play a vital role in senior cat food since they determine the health status of your four-legged friend. However, different cat foods have distinct elements. On the contrary, many people confuse ingredients and nutrients. Arguably, the two things are different.
Ingredients provide nutrients, while nutrients are food components that support life and are metabolically beneficial. For example, beef is an ingredient that provides nutrients such as protein. In a package label, they appear in descending order, judging from the weight. The ones that weigh more are listed first, and the ones with less weight come last.
Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis is the second thing that appears on a senior cat food package label. It indicates the level of nutrients such as protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. It does not imply or provide exact levels of nutrients in the pet food. However, it is not a surety of the nutritional quality of the pet food.
Nutritional Adequacy Statement or Statements From AAFCO
Another thing that is on the package label is the nutritional adequacy statement. This statement comes from AAFCO, an organization that sets the nutritional standards for pet foods in the united states.
The statement is proven to verify the testing method used to determine nutritional adequacy. It shows whether the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for a specific life stage of your pet. However, you must look for too much nutritional content since it can harm your pet.
Manufacturer’s Toll-free Number
Lastly, you’ll see the manufacturer’s toll-free number. This is the name and phone number. You can call for consultation on the location, actual nutrient, and caloric content.
FA.Q.s on Senior Cat Food
Q: What is senior cat food?
A: Senior cat food is food meant for adult cats. It contains essential nutrients, such as proteins, and is high in fiber.
Q: When should I switch to geriatric feline food?
A: Start the senior cat diet when your feline is about seven years of age. The main objectives of feeding an older cat are to maintain health and body weight, prevent the development of chronic disease, and minimize signs of existing conditions.
Q: What should I not feed my older cat?
A: As much as you want to feed your cat the best diet, there are foods you shouldn’t feed them. Among them are; Onions, garlic, raw eggs, raw meat & bones, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, raw dough, milk, and other dairy products. They contain toxins that might harm your cat.
Common Health Issues Addressed in Senior Cat Food
Yes, you want to give your cat the best food, but again you have to be careful because some foods are not safe for senior cats. In addition, administering them to your cat might result in some health issues. Among the common ones are as follows.
Diabetes and urinary problems – Senior cat foods are essential in developing the health of these beautiful creatures. But some might cause diabetes. In addition, some foods will make them add a lot of weight leading to obesity. Then, of course, the cat becomes obese. When this becomes too much, it can cause diabetes, which is high or low sugar levels.
Arthritis – Arthritis is a joint disease that makes the joints wear off. As mentioned earlier, certain foods are high in carbohydrates and fats, causing overweight.
Ideally, this can result in obesity. However, some might weaken the joints, and the cat in this condition cannot carry the weight due to painful joints. Moreover, when it has arthritis, it will be reluctant to go up and down the stairs.
Kidney failure – This is a common health problem in senior cats. However, some foods contain substances that might harm the kidneys. When the toxins become too much, they can result in acute kidney failure. If they change their bathroom habits and excess thirst, seek help from a vet to find the exact issue.
High blood pressure – Yes, it’s also common in cats and is serious if left untreated. When you feed them foods that contain excess fats, they may result in high blood pressure. It may affect your cat’s organs and cause a seizure, heart failure, and other health issues.
It often comes with other diseases, so getting at the source is essential, after which your veterinarian may recommend medication and the proper diet.
Dental disease – Periodontal disease also occurs in older cats, leading to gum disease. Honestly, some foods contain ingredients that are not friendly to the cat’s teeth. Symptoms include bleeding, red or swollen gums, and consistently terrible breath.
Cancer – The dreaded “C” word- cancer is a life-threatening disease. There are different types of cancer, and some come from the food you administer. Most foods contain harmful toxins. When consumed for a long time, they may cause cancer. If you feel unusual lumps or bumps in your cat, this could be a sign of cancer.
Knowing that cats are excellent at covering up illness is also helpful. That’s why you want to ensure you get your senior cat to the vet twice a year for monitoring and share any behavioral changes you may have noticed. The quicker you (or your vet) detect a health problem, the better your chances of slowing its progress.
Parting Words
Incorporating proper nutrition is essential in your cat’s life. On top of that, it is vital for the ones approaching their golden years. So if you’re a pet parent to a senior cat, it is time to switch to foods suitable for this four-legged friend.
There are many types of senior cat foods on the market. Among the best is Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food . This is because it contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to satisfy energy requirements for a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, it contains taurine to support heart and eye health in aging cats. Lastly, it is packed with antioxidants and vitamins to support the immune system. You will also find other choices from the list above. So, get the one that meets all the nutritional needs to boost your cats health.
