Do you have an aging cat at home?
Senior cats need different types of food in order to stay healthy. In this review, we will discuss the 5 best cat foods for senior cats. These foods are specifically designed to meet the needs of aging cats. Keep reading to learn more!
Your cat will love all of the delicious flavors in these foods – from chicken and salmon to turkey and beef. Plus, each recipe is packed with lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for senior cats. Feed your furry friend one of these recipes today and help them live a long and healthy life.
Continue reading to learn more about the 5 best cat foods for senior cats!
We hope you enjoy the following product reviews. All products we evaluate are carefully chosen from among the best currently available. We may, in some cases, receive samples for hands-on evaluation - but all opinions noted in this article are ours alone. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers. Thank you for visiting us today!
How We Pick the Best Cat Food for Senior Cats
When it comes down to choosing the best cat food for senior cats, you will find there are a lot of opinions and many decent choices available. Deciding which ones to try can be a tough decision.
We've checked out quite a few quality cat foods and have analyzed thousands of consumer reviews. We have come up with a list of five cat food brands that promise to be good for your older cat. So what is the best senior cat food? Let's find out!
Includes Live Probiotics For Digestive & Immune Health
Purina Pro Plan Senior 7+ High Protein Dry Cat Food
What We Like About It
We know that your cat is more than just an animal - they're part of your family. That's why it's so important to make sure they get the nutrition they need for every life stage. This Purina Pro Plan product is specifically designed for cats over the age of 7, with a proprietary blend that helps improve and extend their lives.
This powerful formula contains antioxidants to support a healthy immune system and heart health, prebiotic fiber to aid better digestion, omega-3 fatty acids for lustrous skin and coat, and omega-6 fatty acids for everyday energy needs. With this blended nutritional solution at their side, you can rest assured knowing your kitty will be in tip-top shape as they age gracefully!
One Minute Pet Tips
Making the switch to Purina Pro Plan cat food is an important decision that strongly affects your kitty. After all, you want them to enjoy all the benefits that Pro Plan has to offer - including improved digestion, a shiny coat, and more energy. However, it's important to take things slowly at first.
Cats can be finicky eaters, and sudden dietary changes can cause upset stomachs or other digestive issues. That's why we recommend transitioning your cat to Pro Plan gradually, over the course of 7-10 days. Simply feed a little less of the previous food and a little more Pro Plan each day, until your cat is eating Pro Plan exclusively.
This slow transition will help avoid any dietary upsets, and before you know it, your cat will be enjoying all the benefits of a steady diet of the Purina Pro Plan.
Made With Non-GMO Ingredients
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult & Senior Dry Cat Food
What We Like About It
This delicious and nutritious food is packed with real, recognizable ingredients – like salmon, chicken, and lamb – that are responsibly sourced and blended to ensure high nutritional value for your cat. Plus, there’s no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy protein, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
What’s more? This yummy food is formulated especially for adult cats and senior cats with high-quality proteins and essential fatty acids to help them maintain strong muscles and healthy skin & coat. We are pleased to present this as one of our five best choices.
One Minute Pet Tips
If you're thinking of switching your cat's food to NUTRO™ Cat Food, we recommend following this simple transition plan. For the first three days, mix 75% of your cat's old food with 25% of the new food. Then, for the next three days, mix 50% of each. Finally, on day seven, you can give your cat 100% NUTRO™ Cat Food.
This gradual change will help your cat's stomach adjust to the new recipe and minimize any digestive upset. Plus, it'll give them time to get used to the new taste and texture. If you have any questions or concerns about making the switch, please consult your veterinarian.
Four Antioxidant Sources For A Strong Immune System
Purina ONE High Protein Natural Senior Dry Cat Food
What We Like About It
This is a good nutritional solution for cats who are entering their golden years. As cats get older, they may experience issues like hairballs or digestive problems that can make life less than enjoyable – but not anymore!
This formula features a natural fiber blend to relieve those uncomfortable situations and help your cat feel great and avoid serious issues with hairballs. In addition to being designed exclusively with the health of senior cats in mind, it’s also loaded with high-quality protein from real chicken for strong muscles, along with a blend of essential nutrients for whole-body health.
This brand offers a variety of flavors to make meal times even tastier – without sacrificing any of the nutrition. It is a good choice for any older cat.
One Minute Pet Tips
In evaluating customer reviews, we noted a higher than average number of comments about how their cats love the taste. This is a big plus in our view, as it indicates that the food is not only nutritious but also palatable for most cats. Cats can be picky eaters, so it's important to find food that they will actually want to eat.
Otherwise, you'll end up with a kitty who is constantly begging for table scraps. Fortunately, this formula seems to have found the perfect balance between taste and nutrition, making it a great option for our older feline friends.
Iams Will Cover Your Annual Vet Visit
Iams Proactive Health Healthy Senior Dry Cat Food
What We Like About It
This quality cat food from IAMS is specially designed to help support senior cats, providing both the protein and nutrition they need as they age. All of our recipes are made with real animal protein as the primary ingredient, and they proudly proclaim that the food has no artificial preservatives, no synthetic dyes, and no wheat. IAMS is a good product with a longstanding reputation in the premium cat food market.
One Minute Pet Tips
Take a look at the Iams “Checkup Challenge”. The company will cover your annual vet visit if you purchase certain products. Basically, you purchase two bags of IAMS cat food. Visit your vet. Upload your receipts. IAMS will send you up to $200 toward the cost of the veterinarian visit. We think this is a great deal!
For Older Cats Ages 11+
Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food for Senior Cats Ages 11+
What We Like About It
If your cat is starting to feel the effects of aging, it's important to provide them with a high-quality diet specifically tailored to their changing needs. That's why Hill's Science Diet has designed a special formula just for cats 11 and older, packed with the essential nutrients your senior cat needs to get through their final years.
This product is formulated with taurine which supports healthy heart function, balanced minerals that promote kidney health and good bladder function, plus high-quality proteins and natural fibers to help support healthy digestion. With this superior nutrition, you can give your senior cat the care they need without compromising on taste - so they can live life in their twilight years to its fullest!
One Minute Pet Tips
Science Diet is another longstanding brand in the premium cat food market. Their dry food recipes use high-quality ingredients including real chicken, lamb, or salmon protein as the first ingredient. In addition, they never contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or chicken by-product meal. We use this brand for our cats, and they have done well on it for years.
Cat Food for Senior Cats FAQs
When looking for the best cat food for senior cats, you will be presented with a lot of different choices. In our reviews above, we have highlighted five outstanding cat food brands that will work well for any older cat. These foods can help meet the additional nutritional requirements of older cats.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about cat food for senior cats. We hope these help you in selecting the best formula for your cat.
What is the healthiest cat food for a senior cat?
There is no definitive answer to this question since different cats have different dietary needs, but a senior cat's diet should be low in fat and high in fiber. Some good choices for a senior cat's food include food that is specifically labeled as "senior" or "light," and dry food that is low in calories and has plenty of fiber.
Do senior cats need special food?
Yes, senior cats need special food because their dietary needs change as they age.
As cats age, they become less efficient at digesting and absorbing nutrients from their food. This means they need to eat a diet that is higher in quality and more easily digestible. Senior cat food will typically have more protein, fat, and calories than regular cat food, as well as fewer carbohydrates. It will also be enriched with vitamins and minerals that are important for older cats.
If your cat is over 7 years old, it's a good idea to start feeding it senior cat food to ensure it's getting the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
Is wet food or dry food better for senior cats?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Some people believe that wet cat food is better for senior cats because it helps keep them hydrated, while others believe that dry food is better because it helps keep their teeth clean. Ultimately, it's up to you and your veterinarian to decide what's best for your cat.
At what age is a cat considered senior?
A cat is considered a senior at around 7 years old. As cats age, their body composition changes, and they become more prone to health problems. Senior cats need extra care and attention to stay healthy and comfortable as they age.
Is Purina good for senior cats?
Yes, Purina is good for senior cats. In fact, Purina has a specific line of food made specifically for senior cats. This food is designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of older cats, and it can help keep them healthy and happy as they age.
How old is a 15-year-old cat in human years?
A 15-year-old cat is around the age of a 73-year-old human.
This answer is based on the average lifespan of a cat, which is around 15 years. The equivalent age in human years would be around 73 years old. This answer is just an estimate, and each cat will have its own unique lifespan.
Why do elderly cats get so skinny?
It could be that the elderly cats are experiencing health problems (such as kidney disease or failure, liver disease, or diabetes) that lead to a decreased appetite or difficulty digesting food. It's also possible that elderly cats are losing muscle mass due to inactivity or age-related muscle atrophy.
What makes senior cat food special?
Senior cat food is special because it has fewer calories and more fiber than regular cat food. This helps keep your cat's weight down, which is important as cats get older.
Senior cat food also contains ingredients that support your cat's overall health, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and joint supplements. These ingredients can help keep your cat healthy and active well into its golden years.
Can I feed my senior cat canned tuna?
Yes, but canned tuna is not a complete and balanced diet for aging cats and should only be fed as a treat.
Canned food (specifically tuna) is a good source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for cats. However, it does not provide all the nutrients your cat needs and can lead to deficiencies in other areas. For this reason, canned tuna should only be fed as a supplement to your cat's regular diet, not as the main source of nutrition.
Should older cats eat high-protein food?
There is a lot of debate over whether or not food for older cats should include high-protein food. Some people believe that it's important for older cats to eat high-protein food in order to maintain their muscle mass and energy levels, while others believe that it's more important for older cats to eat low-protein food in order to avoid putting strain on their kidneys.
Ultimately, it's up to the cat's owner to decide what works best based on the cat's specific health needs. However, most veterinarians agree that a diet with moderate levels of protein is usually best for senior cats.
What is the difference between senior and regular cat food?
The main difference between senior and regular cat food is that senior cat food has fewer calories and proteins. This is because older cats need fewer calories and proteins to maintain their health.
In addition, many senior cat foods also contain nutrients that support the health of older cats, such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and glucosamine. Some senior foods are also specifically designed to help with common problems faced by older cats, such as urinary tract problems or dental problems.
How many times a day should a senior cat eat?
As with most things in life, moderation is key. Senior cats should eat twice a day. Breakfast and dinner are the recommended times to feed your cat, but if you notice that it's still hungry after eating, feel free to give it a small snack in between meals. Just make sure that all of its snacks are healthy and low in calories. Too many snacks can lead to weight gain, which is bad for cats of any age.
When it comes to what to feed your senior cat, there are many different options available. A good rule of thumb is to choose food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they need meat-based proteins in their diet. carbs can actually be detrimental to their health, so it's best to avoid them.
What can I feed my senior cat to gain weight?
It can be tough to get a senior cat to gain weight. Younger cats don't have this problem normally, but as they age, it becomes an issue. A diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates is often the best way to help a cat gain weight. You can also try feeding your cat small meals throughout the day instead of one large meal. And, finally, you can give your cat a supplement like nutritional yeast to help boost its calorie intake.
One Minute Recommendation
We hope that this article has helped you in your search for the best cat food for senior cats. Our evaluations are based on feedback from consumers who purchased premium cat food specifically blended for older cats, so we can assure you that our findings are reasonably accurate.
In this case, we gave all five of these a full five-star rating, based on extensive research of consumer reviews and other factors. We can confidently recommend any of these brands, but if we choose one, it would be the Hill's Science Diet formula. This is the one we feed our senior cats, and they seem to thrive on it.
If you have any questions or would like to share your own experiences with us, please contact us here.
