Food for Geriatric Cats

As cats age, their nutritional needs tend to change. A cat aged 10 and older is more prone to ailments such as diabetes, arthritis or kidney failure, and sudden weight loss or gain. These conditions require a diet that helps replenish your cat's energy and resources for fighting disease. Proper nutrition can combat the signs of aging, keeping your geriatric cat healthy and happy for years to come.

  1. Plenty of Protein

    • Most cats need a significant portion of protein in their diets, even as they age. Protein provides older cats with the energy they need. Also, a high-protein diet helps older cats maintain a healthy weight. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein food helps stave off obesity but provides enough fat to keep your cat from getting too thin.

    More Water

    • Older cats tend to dehydrate more than younger cats, which can lead to disease and inability to regulate body temperature. To make sure your cat drinks plenty of water, try adding water to your cat's dry food or feeding them canned food, which is packed in water.

    Stronger Smell

    • Cats of all ages tend to eat food they can smell. As cats age, their sense of smell, along with the linked sense of taste, can weaken, making food they used to eat when they were younger not as attractive. To make sure your cat gets enough food, choose food with a stronger aroma such as canned cat food. Or heat food to warm (about 10 to 15 seconds in the microwave) to make the food more aromatic.

    Smaller Meals

    • Cats older than seven years of age tend to have slower and less-effective digestive systems than younger cats. To counteract a downgrading metabolism, feed your cat smaller meals on a more frequent basis.

    Extra Chewiness

    • Although eating dry food can strengthen a younger cat's teeth, an older cat with dental problems may find biting into crunchy food uncomfortable. As a result, a cat having difficulty chewing dry food may swallow pellets whole, which can lead to indigestion. Relieve an older cat's tooth problems by switching to a softer food like canned food or semi-moist pellets.

    Special Diets

    • If suffering from a condition such as diabetes or kidney disease, your cat requires a specialized diet to help fight that disease. If your cat has any specific health problems, talk to your veterinarian about what foods work best for your cat.