How to feed older and older cats and kittens? What to consider?

As cats age, their needs change. Teeth weaken, coat quality and digestion deteriorate, and the likelihood of developing urolithiasis and gaining excess weight increases. Taking into account the characteristics of older cats, many manufacturers of dry and wet food have developed special diets that optimally meet the needs of an aging cat. They contain less fat, more protein, and are supplemented with various additives to stimulate digestion. A senior animal can be considered a pet over seven years old. It is advisable to choose food with the participation of a veterinarian, but in the rating you can find the best dry and wet food for older cats.

When the teeth are no longer the same: What to feed a toothless cat

Often, older cats do not eat food well, not because they are capricious. For example, if a cat has age-related dental problems, it may be difficult for a cat to chew through granules (even small ones). As a result, the pet either refuses food altogether or swallows the granules whole, which is dangerous (you can choke) and is generally harmful to the gastrointestinal tract. A very simple life hack can help here. After pouring the food into a bowl, add a teaspoon of water (no more!) and stir. The granules will become slightly softer and easier to chew.

If you notice that your cat has become worse at eating dry food, you can try supplementing the diet with wet food. In addition to comfort for the teeth, they will provide the cat with an additional source of water. This is especially important for older animals, who often drink less than they should, which can lead to dehydration and the possible formation of stones.

If, in addition to dental problems, a decrease in the sense of smell is added, you can completely switch your pet to wet food. But here it is necessary to take into account that not every wet cat food is complete, so you need to study the composition or clarify this issue when choosing and purchasing food.

It is believed that when pets (both cats and dogs) chew dry food granules, they thereby clean their teeth, preventing the appearance of plaque and subsequently tartar. In some cases this is true. But this does not mean that feeding your cat dry food is enough to ensure complete prevention of dental and gum diseases. We recommend regularly examining the oral cavity for the formation of stones and inflammations, and paying attention to the smell from the mouth or loss of appetite. And regularly brush your cat's teeth with special products .

Another question often worries those who were unable (didn’t have time, got the packaging mixed up in the store, etc.) to buy the right food for an “old” cat. So what happens if you give a fifteen year old cat kitten food? We want to reassure you: nothing terrible will happen in the short term. Therefore, advice: if you suddenly were unable to buy food from your usual brand, take a high-quality diet for kittens for your old cat. In any case, this is healthier than buying age-appropriate “economy class” food in the supermarket.

Rating of the best dry food for cats over 7 years old

7. Pro Plan

6.Trainer Natural Mature

5. Royal Canin Senior Consult Stage 2

4. Monge

3.Eukanuba

2. Grandin

1. Hill's Science Plan Active Longevity

The first place in the rating of dry food for older cats was taken by Hill's Science Plan Active Longevity, the composition of which is optimally balanced and contains vitamins, amino acids and other useful additives. It will help your cat stay fit for a long time, staying healthy and active.

Tips for choosing feed

1. We learn to understand the inscriptions on packages. This does not mean that a person must know all the ingredients by heart. But if you read the characteristics on some packs, you can compare the composition.
2. We purchase food from well-known manufacturers. Large companies always try to spend significant amounts of money on research and development of ideal cat food. Therefore, you should not trust unknown companies, especially those that produce food only for a separate supermarket.
3. Select food according to age. The pet's activity depends on this. Moreover, manufacturers indicate age limits on each series of their products. Here it is important to take into account not only the age, but also the characteristics of each animal. For little ones, nutrition is selected for a growing body. Active people need extra energy. Pregnant and lactating cats need more vitamins and minerals. Lighter foods are selected for those prone to obesity. For the elderly, there is a line of balanced nutrition.
4. You cannot feed your pet the same food. This will affect his appetite. The cat will become more picky about its diet. Therefore, it is worth selecting food from different series, with different composition.
5. Medicinal food is prescribed only by a veterinarian. A specialist can identify the disease and choose the right diet. Remember, all doctor's advice should be followed. This will help quickly return your cat to a healthy appearance.

Signs of aging

As mentioned above, all animals are different. But everyone has similar signs of aging. For example: loss of hearing, appetite, sense of smell, dental disease. All this leads to weight loss.

Over time, an active animal loses flexibility. Skin and fur suffer. She can't lick herself. At the same time, he suffers from pain. They may be caused by osteoarthritis. Almost all cats suffer from this disease.

The sebaceous glands do not work well, causing the coat to turn gray and visually change. The animal is often exposed to various infectious diseases. After all, her immune system reduces its work. My digestive organs suffer from this. Now the animal requires special nutrition that can support its body during aging.

As cats age, their behavior also changes. Their daily routine and sleep are disrupted. Now they do not need contact with the owner. They can spend time in splendid isolation. Sometimes they may meow loudly for no reason at night or during the day.

Is it necessary to add additional vitamins, microelements and minerals to the diet?

Additional vitamins can be added to an elderly cat’s diet only on the recommendations of a veterinarian. In order to understand whether a cat needs to add something, especially for animals that eat natural food, it is necessary to do a biochemical blood test. This will avoid an overabundance of any substances that can only worsen the health situation.

Beneficial for older pets:

• omega-3 fatty acids (as fish oil);
• B vitamins.

Food and more

For a pet to have a long, happy life, it is important to normalize its diet. With age, it becomes necessary to introduce a balanced diet. It should contain such useful substances as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, micro-macroelements. They are found not only in natural products, but also in premium cat food.

A properly balanced diet will help your four-legged friend become more active. His eyes will sparkle, his appetite will improve, and his coat will regain its lost thickness.

Natural nutrition

From the age of 6 years, your pet’s diet should include protein. By nature, cats are predators. Therefore, you should eat meat, fish, and dairy products. Remember, food should be varied. Therefore, it is worth adding carbohydrates to proteins. Found in porridges and boiled vegetables. But fiber should make up 20% of the diet. Its consumption will help improve the functioning of the digestive system.

Valuable acids contained in oil, fish, and meat fat prevent the occurrence of diseases of the genitourinary system.

Industrial food

Of course, it is very difficult to feed an animal with cereals and vegetables. No matter how the owner mixes healthy natural products, his four-legged friends may not touch it. Therefore, many people switch to industrial food.

Dry, crunchy food saves time for cat owners. They have a long shelf life. They can be stored in any dry place, and the packaging lasts a long time.