Senior Cat Nutrition: A Nutritional Guide for Aging Cats

Senior cats go through a lot of physical and mental changes as they transition from adulthood into their golden years.   

So regular cat food may no longer meet their body’s needs. A senior-specific cat food can improve their quality of life, and it might even increase their lifespan.  

Most cats are considered seniors when they reach the age of 10 or 11 years old, so if your cat has hit double digits, chat with their veterinarian about a possible food change.  

Why Do Senior Cats Need Special Diets?

As cats age, it can be harder for them to maintain a healthy body condition and lean muscle mass. 

They often have a poor appetite, which can predispose them to mobility issues and lead to weight loss. They tend to have a difficult time regulating their body temperature, and their immune system can weaken, making them more likely to develop infections.  

On top of all that, senior cats can often lose their vision, kidney function, or healthy coat condition from decreased grooming. That means their eyes, internal organs, and skin often need more support than those of younger cats. Their heart, digestive system, and brain could also use a boost.  

What Nutrients Do Senior Cats Need?

Many senior cats have nutritional needs that overlap, but every cat is unique. So chat with your veterinarian about the best diet for your cat.  

Generally, most cats need:   

• A lean protein source and carbohydrates: This can help senior cats maintain their body weight and energy levels.  

• A balanced amount of fat: Senior cats may require either more fat (if they’re underweight) or less fat (if they’re obese). Your vet can tell you which camp your cat falls in.   

• Fiber: Fiber helps promote healthy digestion.  

• Antioxidants: Antioxidants—like vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A, carotenoids, and selenium—can counter the effects of free radicals, which cause cell damage and lead to aging-related changes in your cat.  

• Low phosphorus: As cats age, kidney function decreases, and it is harder for the kidneys to remove extra phosphorus from the body. Too much phosphorus can lead to a loss of calcium—bad for your cat’s bones, which can become more brittle without it.   

• Omega-3 fatty acids: An anti-inflammatory compound, omega-3 fatty acids can support the skin, coat, and joints in senior cats, combating the effects of decreased grooming behavior and arthritis.  

• Carnitine: Carnitine is a compound derived from amino acids that supports both lean muscle mass and heart function in senior cats. 

• Tasty, digestible ingredients: Senior cats may not have as strong of an appetite as adult cats, so ingredients to improve taste—like yeast extracts—will be appreciated. They also need ingredients that are easy for their gut to digest—such as proteins like chicken and added probiotics—since digestive function decreases as they age.  

How To Feed Your Senior Cat

Most senior cats have a lower metabolism and lower activity level than younger cats, so they need fewer calories to maintain body weight.  

However, how much your cat eats may be highly individual. In general, a healthy adult cat might need 20 daily calories per pound of body weight, while a senior might only need 15 calories per pound per day.  

Overweight cats may need to eat less, while sick or underweight cats might need more.  

Dry or wet food can also affect how much your senior cat needs to eat. Wet food is less calorie-dense than dry food, so your cat might have to eat more of it.  

The best way to figure out what is right for your individual cat is to ask your veterinarian to break it down for you. They can help tailor a diet for your cat’s optimal health.  

Most senior cats will prefer to eat three or four small meals a day, but every cat is different. It’s OK to leave out food to graze all day, but when it comes to treats, remember that treats should never make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.  

Signs Your Senior Cat Isn’t Getting Enough Nutrients

Sometimes senior cats aren’t getting enough nutrients from their diet.  

If you notice any of these signs in your cat, talk to your vet as soon as possible:  

• Fur loss or dull coat 

• Diarrhea or constipation 

• Vomiting 

• Low energy 

• Recurring infections 

• Appetite changes 

• Weight loss or gain 

• Aggression, fear, or confusion 

Your vet can rule out medical issues and help you reevaluate your senior cat’s diet.  

Best Food for Senior Cats

Look for the word “senior” in the name of the food, and you’ll also want to make sure the food is AAFCO-compliant.   

Senior cats cat eat wet food, dry food, or both. Wet food, in particular, is less calorie-dense and can be beneficial for cats with kidney disease—it’s also better for overweight cats because it’s lower in carbohydrates.  

If your senior cat’s a picky eater, wet food might be more palatable too.   

Dry food, on the other hand, can be better for budget-minded pet parents, and you can leave it out for your cat to graze on all day.  

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet for senior cats (ask your vet), but below are some popular options.  

Dry Cat Foods  

For dry foods, solid picks include Hill's Science Diet Senior Adult 11+ Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food, Purina Pro Plan Vital Systems 4-in-1 Formula Salmon & Rice Formula Senior Cat Food, and Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Aging Spayed/Neutered 12+ Dry Cat Food.  

Wet Cat Foods  

For wet foods, some popular picks include Hill's Science Diet Senior Adult 11+ Healthy Cuisine Seared Tuna & Carrot Medley Wet Cat Food, Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 11+ Classic Salmon & Tuna Entree Canned Cat Food, and Royal Canin Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food.  

Treats  

Smart senior cat  treat options include Inaba Churu for Senior 10+ Tuna & Chicken Variety Lickable Cat Treats and Purina Fancy Feast Purely Natural Hand-Flaked Tuna Soft Cat Treats.  

How To Switch To a Senior Diet

You’ll need to switch your cat from an adult to senior diet gradually, usually over several days.  

This slow transition can help avoid the vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite that can happen when new foods are introduced too quickly.  

In most cases, you will want to mix 25% of the new food with 75% of the old food for a couple of days.  

If all goes well, you can increase the percentage of new food to 50% per meal for the next couple of days, then bump it to 75% for two days. By Day 7, you should be able to feed 100% new food.  

If your cat does develop vomiting, diarrhea, or low appetite, return to the ratio they were doing well on and call your vet for advice.