Because of possible stomach upset or toxic reactions, senior cats—not to mention adults and kittens, too—should not eat certain human foods, Dr. Fascetti says. It contains antioxidants, like rosemary, yucca and zinc, for a healthy immune system, along with calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Moderate to High Fat Levels Around the age of 11 or 12, a catâs ability to digest fat starts to decline. Thomas: When Mama adopted me, I was 3 years old. Not only was he surrounded by younger, cuter cats, but the poor little guy looked sickly and unwell. For more information about our privacy practices please go here. YES - kitten, adult, elder cat food is all marketing As soon as a kitten is old enough to eat meals, it safe to feed them regular adult food. Cats are obligate carnivores and cannot be vegetarian. Vitamin E, Vitamin C (citric acid), Vitamin A, carotenoids and selenium are all powerful antioxidants. Pea fiber, along with pumpkin and carrots give the diet fiber, and a mix of vitamins and minerals provide the additional nutrients the senior cat needs to thrive. Contains EC Permitted Colourant. The owners and operators of Paws and Effect will not be liable in the event of incidental or consequential damages or loss in connection with, or arising out of, the furnishing, performance, or use of the instructions, suggestions or products on this website. As carnivores that eat prey in the wild, they prefer a diet that mimics freshly caught prey, which tends to be, well, moist. Hill's Science Diet Adult 11+ Chicken Recipe Dry Senior Cat Food IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care Dry Cat Food Key Features: Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain Free Turkey & Potato Indoor Senior Cat Food. Purina Fancy Feast Adult Canned Wet Cat Food Senior 7+ Cats love tuna, and this blend brings taurine and vitamin E to your catâs diet to maintain eye and coat health. In fact, lower protein diets for older dogs and cats may have negative effects by contributing to muscle loss. Grain-free? But now I know a cat-only hospital in San Antonio, Texas, where, every time a cat reaches its 20th birthday, they put it up on their reader board. Choosing Food Pick a high-quality cat food. Through evolution, cats have become dependent on the specific forms of nutrients found only in animal tissue. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. High quality as in So, is there a definitive age at which a cat should switch to a “senior diet?” Unfortunately, no, Dr. Bartges says. “Conventionally and historically, a high fiber, low fat, low calorie diet was used to induce an energy deficiency and promote fat mobilization and weight loss,” Dr. Bartges says. Of course, before you change your pal’s diet, talk to your veterinarian about the root cause of their health issues. Older cats tend to develop sensitive teeth or gums. Hillâs Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin I can’t believe I got so lucky.”. “There are certainly good products at every level—grocery store, pet store, veterinary office—that can be used to healthily support a cat’s dietary needs. Let’s look more closely at each of these: AAFCO has developed two nutrient profiles for cats: growth/lactation and adult maintenance. If your senior cat needs to drop a few pounds, this protein-packed dry food could help. Veterinarian Dr. Lisa Piersonâs website CatInfo.org advocates the feeding of raw food for cats using rabbit meat obtained directly from a rabbit farmer, or whole chicken and turkey thighs that are partially baked to kill surface bacteria. Lower calories? The older girls lean towards “plump,” have their playful-crack moments but for the most part have always been sedentary and somewhat bitchy. For this reason, older cats often require higher levels of: Vitamins ; Minerals ; Anti-oxidants ; Fats ; Peteducation.com points out that older cats, due to malabsorption issues, often require higher levels of fats than do younger cats. Subscribe to our email list to be instantly notified when we make a new post. Senior cats like him often have special dietary needs. Do you know if your garden is filled with plants poisonous to cats? Some states have adopted more specific regulations established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Pros: high protein content, antioxidant and vitamin rich, made with non-GMO ingredients Do indoor cats live longer than outdoor cats? Kitten food is a fine one-off substitute if senior food is out of stock. Thomas: So, Lani, don’t be afraid to feed your younger cat the senior-formula food. As cats grow older, they can become fussier about food. Although it is a common belief, reduced dietary protein is not beneficial for the healthy older dog or cat. And when foster mom Amy Rohman Needham brought Hootie home to recuperate, his personality blossomed. “Cats are funny—some cats will only eat dry food, and some will only eat wet food,” Dr. Fascetti says. Then, with your choices narrowed down a bit, check out some of options that we’ve listed below. After moving from a city shelter to Best Friends, Hootie was diagnosed with age-related kidney disease and immediately was put on extra fluids and a diet to help manage his illness. Turns out our feline friends have good reason to be finicky. These cookies do not store any personal information. As you might observe, almost all cat feeding guides recommend feeding the pregnant cat kitten food. By: Irith BloomPublished: November 27, 2018, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: November 24, 2014, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: September 1, 2016, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: December 21, 2016, By: Caitlin UltimoPublished: December 27, 2017. Mama fed the kitten cow’s milk, and while he did survive he was always prone to strange skin ailments and he never was quite as smart or wise as a cat should be. My cat is nearly 3 yrs old and a friend of mine gave me some food she’d bought for her 17 yr old who sadly died recently. The wet, paté-style texture also gives your cat plenty of moisture, and it’s free from grains and potato. If your senior cat is spayed or neutered, that could mean they’re more likely to put on weight. In fact, the report says, cats will choose foods based on these features rather than nutritional adequacy. It's been fortified with essential fatty acids and nutrients like taurine, as well as healthy antioxidants for a strong immune system. However, cats that are physically inactive or those that are already showing visible signs of obesity should not eat high-calorie foods. If you live with an overweight dog, you can put your pooch on a dog weight-loss diet. Find out what... Help your pet feel their very best with this guide to understanding animal physical therapy. “Hootie and Bonnie love me just because I exist, and they are happy to see me regardless of how my day went,” Smith says. Itâs best to move older cats to specially formulated senior cat food. Mama was feeding them “middle-age cat” formula food, and she asked Doctor Sarah if it was okay to feed us all the same food. If they are losing weight for no apparent health reason other than a change in metabolism, then a diet change to something more calorically dense, such as kitten food, could be indicated.”. With 8500 reviews and 4.8 stars, this hairball control cat food for indoor cats is the best of the best. Is there a best dry food for senior cats, or a preferred moist paté? So a food that includes these will be a great option for a senior cat. Siouxsie: It just so happens that Mama asked our vet this very question a few years ago. The information at Paws and Effect is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, nor prevent any disease and is intended for educational purposes only. Those foods provide enough nutrients for an animal’s growth and reproduction, as well as for maintaining a healthy adult—which includes senior and geriatric cats. We try to help you understand your cat and what may or may not be going on with him or her, but please discuss your concerns about your cat with your veterinarian! “Trying a smorgasbord of foods to find what he/she will eat may also help.”. When it’s time to switch, it should be done over several days, he adds. Dr. Hofve advises that âall cats, at all life stages, need good quality protein and lots of it. “Theoretically, antioxidants, lipoic acid and possibly omega-3 fatty acids may help,” Dr. Bartges says. Those include feeding instructions, guaranteed analysis and a nutritional adequacy statement. Keep your pet birds safe from space heaters and other heating devices. “The vet knows you, knows your situation, and will be able to help you pick a diet that’s right for you,” she says. Featuring protein from 11 different animal sources, this high-protein senior cat diet is designed to mimic what your cat would eat in nature. Depending on the age of your adult cat, you might need to start considering age in choosing an adult food. Watch how much food your cat eats. Just like kittens, senior cats have special dietary needs. Here’s an article on how to feed a pregnant cat properly. Does your cat constantly beg for food? The demands on a mother cat’s body are exceptionally high at this time since the kittens are growing rapidly, and they need all the extra vitamins and nutritional support they can get in order to make sure their babies are born healthy. In short: Don't take our word as gospel. On the hunt for the best wet food for senior cats? If your senior cat needs to drop a few pounds, this protein-packed dry food could help. As cats get older, taste becomes increasingly important as their senses start to wane, Dr. Fascetti says. This diet, formulated especially for cats that have been neutered, helps control appetite by increasing fiber intake. For overweight senior cats who need to drop a few pounds, pet parents have a couple of options, Dr. Bartges says, and if one doesn’t work, you can try the other. Thomas: Pregnant cats should be fed kitten-formula food during the last four to five weeks of pregnancy. He started to feel and look better. The only real difference between regular adult formula and senior formula foods is that senior foods tend to be lower in calories and have a little less protein–because too much protein can lead to some health issues in older cats. They rely on the NRC’s expertise for information about specifically what pet foods should contain to ensure their safety and efficacy. “Therefore, ‘senior’ diets are essentially slightly modified adult foods.”. Wet foods, she says, tend to rate higher on the palatability scale. Before we explore the best senior cat food options for more mature felines like Hootie, let’s first take a look at the specific dietary requirements for adult cats. And 4.8 stars, this hairball control cat food with a higher moisture content tends to be to! Health or behavior history, formulated especially for cats: growth/lactation and adult.... Every couple of hours, all day and all night for the 4-year-old to.! 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