Older or older cats need and deserve special dietary consideration. They are like us in that things don’t always work out as smoothly as they did when we were younger.
As our cat ages, food moves more slowly through the digestive tract. The older cat also has a slower metabolism than when she was younger. Very often, the stomach and intestines do not do a good job of digestion and absorption, which can lead to malnutrition.
Unfortunately, our older cats’ taste buds will start to fail, so the food doesn’t taste as good as it used to. If your cat has lost interest in eating, I suggest you talk to your vet about some flavor enhancers. These can lure our older feline friends back to eat.
Older cats need less protein in their food; otherwise, it could cause stress on the kidneys and liver, which may have already deteriorated due to age. Protein for older cats should be around 30% of the food instead of the 40% you would give a younger cat. However, eat protein from good quality foods, such as very lean red or white meat, fresh white fish, and some well-cooked vegetables. I would avoid carbohydrates or starchy foods as these may be harder for your older cat to digest. Too many of these can also cause diarrhea and other problems. Make sure your older cat has a diet that includes higher levels of fat to provide enough energy for your cat to move around easily.
Very often, older cats’ teeth are worn down and they can develop gum disease. For these reasons, it is best to feed them soft, moist foods. You can try adding a tablespoon of canned food to some dry food to make it easier to eat and it might cut costs too. Alternatively, you can soak some dry food in warm water or broth for a change in diet. Remember that wet food has more odor and flavor, which may entice an older cat to eat.
I’m lucky because we have rainwater to drink, but I would suggest having soft water for your older cat. You don’t need or can digest all the chemicals that normally come out of a faucet. Why not buy your cat some bottled water? It will last at least a day or so and to me it is well worth the small cost involved. Watch for constipation if your cat isn’t drinking enough.
As your cat ages, start feeding him smaller meals more frequently. This will put much less stress on the aging digestive system. I would also suggest adding a vitamin and mineral supplement to the senior cat’s diet each day. I recommend discussing this with your vet.
Old age is rarely kind. It doesn’t matter if you are human or feline; things start to go wrong when we get older. The best thing you can do for your aging cat is to make sure her diet provides enough nutrition for her needs, that she has a comfortable place to sleep, and enough pampering to make her feel wanted and loved.