If you ’re the parent of an aging cat , it ’s quite possible that you ’ve been run them the same dieting for most of their adult life . Now that they ’re getting a bit sr. , you may inquire if it ’s time to tack to senior cat food . And you might also ask , “ What ’s so special about senior computed axial tomography nutrition anyway ? ”
Fortunately , we ’ve got answers to those question and many more , including some that might storm you . Diet plays an important role in the health and happiness of senior felines . With this helpful guide , you ’ll study everything you involve to know about selecting a fourth-year big cat food for thought that fits your feline home appendage ’s specific tastes and needs .
Senior Cat Nutrition: Why It’s Important
fourth-year cats know many change in their golden class , and nutrition wallop how they tolerate those changes .
Appropriate senior true cat nutriment may prevent some wellness concerns in onetime cats . For other cats who go on to grow various conditions , their diet may facilitate symptoms . For all senior cats , we need their nutrition to boost overall wellness .
To realise the importance of older cat sustenance , it ’s helpful to know how your bozo ’s health and needs may change in the year ahead , as well as the role diet can play in managing those changes .
Here are some of the most vulgar challenge cats confront as they maturate :
Should You Change Your Senior Cat’s Diet?
The answer to this question is n’t as simple as you might think . Here ’s why .
While kitten food and grownup cat food formula broadly speaking stick to to nutritional measure set by theAssociation of American Feed Control Officials ( AAFCO),no exchangeable AAFCO guideline live for senior quat diets .
This means that pet solid food producer can make their own formula to market as older cat solid food . So it ’s not as if any previous quat food with the Son “ senior ” on the promotional material will suffice once your cat remove a sure old age .
There ’s no guarantee that formula will offer what your cat involve in their aged years . Your dear wager is to work with your veterinarian to pick an appropriate diet for your aging bozo .
When Should You Change Your Senior Cat’s Diet?
Another myth in motivation of busting is that your maturate cat ’s nutritional pauperization variety once they lionise a specific birthday . Despite what you ’ll see on favorite food for thought suitcase , there is n’t a especial old age at which your computerized axial tomography should switch to a senior Caterpillar diet .
If you look closely , you ’ll notice that not all commercial senior cat diets habituate the same age shortcut for when a ducky is senior . Some say 7 + , others say 11 + , and some wo n’t have a specific age listed at all .
rather of basing dietary changes for senior African tea off the eld lean on the nutrient travelling bag or cans , you should solve with your veterinary to determine if and when a dietetical change is necessary . issue that may indicate you need to transfer your guy ’s diet let in :
These monition signs could designate it ’s metre to switch to a diet well suited to your cat-o'-nine-tails ’s needs . Or , they could point to a wide range of other wellness outcome . So , it ’s best to have your veterinarian channel a thorough exam to assure you know precisely what your age cat needs .
What to Feed Your Senior Cat
Since we now know that you ca n’t just pick any rule with “ elderly cat food ” on the recording label , exactly what should you consider when settle how to nourish your elderly kitty ?
If your senior cat is n’t showing any signs of slow up down or other age - related health upshot , you may be all right feed them any cat food formulated for grownup cats . However , the symptoms of age - connect wellness conditions in CT can be subtle and easy to overleap . So , it ’s a good approximation to sing with your veterinary before you decide on any dietetic change .
motion to ask your veterinarian include :
Depending on your computed tomography ’s unique needs , here are a few options your veterinarian may recommend .
Prescription diets
For cat-o'-nine-tails name with certain health conditions or nutritional pauperism , veterinarians may advocate a ethical drug dieting that ’s especially formulate to assist them flourish . These options , also known as veterinary - authorized or therapeutic diets , can only be buy with exceptional approval from a veterinarian .
Examples of common senior health conditions that may have dietary therapies available include :
If your veterinary surgeon prescribes a therapeutical dieting for your senior cat , your good bet is to go with the formula they urge . However , a variety of steel offer prescription diets . So , if your CT wo n’t eat their new solid food , it is worth asking your vet if the prescription dieting is uncommitted from another brand and whether it would be appropriate to switch .
You may also desire to require your vet how long your senior cat should be on a ethical drug dieting . For some conditions , give a curative dieting is part of a long - term treatment plan . For other conditions , such as obesity , it may be a impermanent localisation until your cat achieves a healthy weight and can switch to a dieting designed to aid maintain that weight .
Commercial diets
If your veterinarian does not urge a prescription dieting for your elderly computed axial tomography , then there are plenty of viable cat food options available to sustain your elderly felid in their gilded age .
However , not all formulas are create equal , and some may be expert for senior cat than others . Here are some important considerations to recall when choosing a diet that will facilitate your elderly computerized axial tomography thrive .
If your cat is boney , you should determine if they have any underlying wellness conditions . Assuming all is well , you have several options to deliberate :
If you are crop to supervise your cat ’s system of weights , considersigning up for a GreatPetCare account , which has admission to wellness management tools such as a favourite weightiness tracker .
Supplements
While it ’s not necessary to affix your senior cat ’s dieting if they are eating food that meets appropriate AAFCO standards , some nutritionary supplementation may help address years - associate health issues . For example , joint supplementation that contain extra glucosamine and chondroitin may help ameliorate mobility in some cat with joint infliction .
However , nutritional supplements do not exchange appropriate veterinary treatment . If you ’re considering supplements for your older kitty , speak with your veterinarian before starting your cat on them .
Hydration
fourth-year cats are often more susceptible to evaporation . This may be due to reduce predisposition to thirst , disease , or mobility way out that make it harder to get to the water sports stadium .
If your computerized tomography is a kibble - feeder , consider shift to canned food to assist keep them well hydrated . you could also coax your computed tomography into imbibe more by introducing water fountains and position multiple weewee bowls on the levels of your home .
Senior Cat Nutrition: Other Tips and Advice
Once you and your veterinary decide what your senior catshouldeat , there ’s still the matter of guarantee they ’re eating in good order . Here are some expert tips to ensure your kat get the nutrition they want to help keep them felicitous and healthy .
Feeding your senior big cat does require a slightly unlike approaching than many preferent parents may be used to , but it does n’t have to be overwhelming . Now that you know how your mature cat ’s nutritional penury may exchange and how that impacts their wellness , you may have serious-minded conversation with your veterinary about the best diet for your senior computed tomography ’s overall wellness and health .
