What should a senior cat eat?
Your cat’s natural behaviour will continue throughout their life – and they'll probably stay active and curious for years and years. In fact, sometimes you’ll find it hard to believe they're getting older at all!
But we know that cats can be fussy eaters at the best of times, and as they get older they can become even fussier! Here’s a few top tips for feeding senior cats:
• Always serve food at room temperature, most cats do not like cold or refrigerated food
• Cats much prefer small meals, little and often
• Whiskas Senior cat food is specially formulated to support the specific needs of senior cats
• Feeding wet food morning and night with their allocated portion of dry food left out for grazing on during the day is a great way to feed a cat and fulfil their natural desire to eat several small meals a day.
• A great way to provide mental stimulation and gentle physical exercise for older cats is to put their dry food allocation in a puzzle feeder, which requires interaction and movement to release kibbles as a reward.
As they grow older, however, their nutritional needs will change. So after the age of seven, it’s important to adjust their diet to one that suits a more senior cat. For example, the Whiskas® Senior range contains extra taurine to help your cat’s vision and heart, zinc and linoleic acid for a healthy skin and coat, and just the right amount of phosphorus to help keep their waterworks working!
The right food for your older cat
If your cat starts turning their nose up at the food you're giving them, that may be a sign you need to change their diet. While you want to give them something they enjoy, it’s also important that they get the right nutrients for their age. We suggest the Whiskas® 7+ Years range, which comes in delicious fish or meaty flavours, providing everything your cat needs to stay healthy in their senior years.
A question of digestion
Your older cat may not be able to digest their food as easily as they could when they was younger. That means they may not absorb nutrients as efficiently as before. Putting your cat on a suitable diet will help their body to deal with these changes, and should increase both the length and quality of their life.
Watching their weight
Because your cat isn’t as active as they used to be, you might find they're getting bit tubby! On the other hand, if they're struggling to digest food properly, they might lose weight. Keep an eye on your cat’s weight by getting into a regular routine of both weighing and checking along the sides of their body.
If you’re worried about your cat’s weight, try adjusting the amount of food you give them accordingly. If the problem persists, ask your vet for advice.
