What to feed an old cat over 15 years old

Of the usual food available in the fridge, cats can eat cottage cheese and dairy products, lean boiled meat, steamed vegetables (carrots, zucchini, celery, asparagus, broccoli and cucumbers), as well as cereals and bran. At the same time from the diet of the animal is completely excluded:

What to feed an elderly cat and what to do if she does not eat?

The tastes of any pet are formed in its youth. So if your cat is used to eating quality "holistic" food from a reliable manufacturer – no problem, just change the food as it gets older/older. But even then, some cats, due to loss of sense of smell (food loses its appeal) or dental problems, may begin to eat less well by old age.

It is more difficult if the cat was brought into the family at a mature age. Sometimes it can be difficult to wean a cat off those delicious (and just as harmful) boiled hams or pollock and oatmeal. If the cat is not very old, it's better to find a suitable diet and wean it off food from the table.

But if the new family pet is over a decade old, most likely its body has already adapted to the diet, and it may be better not to force it to change its eating habits. In any case, the final word, in any case, is left to the veterinarian, who will assess the state of health of the pet and develop for him a suitable diet or diet.

We at Holistic-shop.ru do not approve of owners who feed their pets "from the table", because we believe that every extra minute spent with your pet is priceless. And the right diet plays an important role in the longevity of pets! But if you feel up to it, make up a proper "natural" menu for your cat, calculate its nutritional content, and cook him lots of dishes regularly. Oh, and don't forget vitamin supplements. But in our opinion, it is still better (and easier) to use a full-fat, factory-made Holistic cat food.

• We recommend that a healthy and active cat with a normal weight, including a spayed/neutered cat, be transferred to a senior cat food after 10 years of age.
• We recommend transferring an overweight cat or cat with possible age-related problems to a senior cat food after 7 years of age.
• Sterilized or neutered cats, prone to obesity, as well as cats and cats that were neutered (spayed) over the age of 3-4 years, it is better to start feeding a low-calorie food immediately after neutering/sterilization.

Feeding peculiarities of elderly cats

The life expectancy of a domestic cat is 8-12 years. With proper care of the pet, this period can be extended to 15-17 years. In the wild, cats do not live that long, and therefore this species is not evolutionarily adapted to cope with age-related changes in the body on its own. Typical problems for older cats include:

• obesityObesity caused by lack of mobility and inability to digest high-calorie foods, including enzyme deficiencies and inhibited liver and kidney function;
• progressive gum diseaseprogressive gum disease, leading to loss of teeth or even complete loss of teeth;
• constipationConstipation caused by a slowing down of intestinal peristalsis;
• loss of appetiteloss of appetite resulting from the blunting of the animal's sense of taste and smell;
• Off-season shedding and poor coat conditionThis is a symptom of vitamin deficiency.

Fortunately, good nutrition can help minimize the effects of these disorders in the body. What to feed an elderly pet?

Prepared foods for older animals: an overview of several popular products

Given the peculiarities of the digestive function of an old cat, its food must meet a number of requirements. Especially important are such aspects as:

• Reduced caloric content. Older animals need less (by about a third) energy than younger animals, but they do not have to suffer from hunger due to the small portion size.
• Optimal balanced composition. An elderly cat should only eat food which is easy to digest and which does not irritate the sensitive stomach or cause allergies. Food should contain enough protein, fiber, vitamins and fatty acids, with a minimum amount of salt and phosphorus.
• An attractive taste and smell for the animal. Food for older pets tends to have a stronger smell than regular food, to whet the appetite of cats whose sense of smell has worsened due to their age.

Read also: What to feed a sick cat with liver problems, can I give my pet ready-made food?

Today on the shelves of stores and veterinary pharmacies you can find many products that meet these criteria. Often owners of aging pets give preference to the following brands:

• "Hills." Despite the specific composition of food containing gluten, most animals eat it with pleasure and, despite the modest portion size recommended by the manufacturer, from hunger does not suffer. A separate line of products for neutered cats is also available.

Taking care of an elderly cat

As a cat reaches old age, new needs and wants arise, which is why it's critical to pay extra attention to caring for your pet as he ages.

Daily Life

As a cat grows older, it increasingly likes to hunt for something moving and soft. Older cats often have health problems, and for that reason, they need cozy beds that provide proper comfort more than anyone else. Your cat's sleeping place should be warm and away from drafts, so that the cat can enjoy a peaceful rest and tranquility to the full.

To reduce the pain in the cat's joints it is advisable to keep its bowl with clean drinking water as close as possible to its usual resting place – then your cat will not need to travel long distances when it is thirsty. In addition, the proximity of the bowl will encourage your pet to drink more and more often to avoid dehydration, which will also contribute to the health of his urinary system and the rapid elimination of certain infections from the urinary tract. Another good idea is to place a cat litter box somewhere nearby, even if the cat has not used it there before. Now, at an older age, your pet may well benefit from a nearby toilet, so the cat won't have to make a long journey every time.

Whether your cat prefers to watch people from the window or sleep on the sofa, it will need to have an elevated area above the floor. Although cats love to climb and jump, they are no longer able to climb as high as they did when they were young. If you create something like steps for the cat, it will be much easier and easier for him to get to where he needs to go. For example, you could put a footstool on the floor to make it easier for the cat to climb a chair, and then it would have to make two little jumps instead of one big one!

Age-related changes in pets

What changes occur in a cat's body as it ages:

• The ability to absorb certain nutrients decreases;
• The sense of smell becomes less acute;
• The efficiency of the kidneys decreases;
• "age-related" heart problems may occur;
• The cat becomes less active, which can cause weight gain.

These factors have a direct impact on the selection of food for a "senior" cat. Therefore, with the above in mind, the following recommendations can be made:

• We recommend transferring a healthy and active cat with normal weight, including a spayed/neutered cat, to a senior cat food after 10 years of age.
• We recommend transferring an overweight cat or cat with possible age-related problems to a senior cat food after 7 years of age.
• Neutered cats or cats prone to obesity, as well as cats and cats that were neutered (spayed) over 3-4 years of age, should be fed a low-calorie cat food immediately after neutering/sterilization.

But still, how does the composition of cat food differ for cats of different ages? For example, kittens need more protein and carbohydrates, while the elderly cats need generally less (so as not to overload the kidneys). Food for active middle-aged cats is usually sufficiently fatty and generally quite caloric. Older cats do not need a lot of calories.

At the same time the owner should always keep track of how much food the pet eats. So, cats older than 10 years may for various reasons lose appetite, lose weight, which is not the best scenario. In this case, it is better to pick up a more caloric food to compensate for the lack in the amount eaten.

Where does the appetite go?

The tastes of any pet are formed at a young age. So if your cat is used to eating quality "holistic" food from a reliable manufacturer – no problem, just change the food as it gets older. But even then, some cats, due to loss of sense of smell (food loses its appeal) or dental problems, may begin to eat less well by old age.

It is more difficult if the cat was brought into the family at a mature age. Sometimes it can be difficult to wean a cat off those delicious (and just as harmful) boiled hams or pollock and oatmeal. If the cat is not very old, it's better to find a suitable diet and wean it off food from the table.

But if the new family pet is over a decade old, most likely its body has already adapted to the diet, and it may be better not to force it to change its eating habits. In any case, the final word rests with the veterinarian, who will evaluate the health of the pet and develop a suitable diet or diet for him.

We at Holistic-shop.ru do not approve of owners who feed their pets "from the table", because we believe that every extra minute spent with your pet is priceless. And the right diet plays an important role in the longevity of pets! But if you feel up to it, make up a proper "natural" menu for your cat, calculate its nutritional content, and cook him lots of dishes regularly. Oh, and don't forget vitamin supplements. But we think it's still better (and easier) to use a full-fed plant-based Holistic cat food.

What should I do if my cat doesn't eat much or at all?

As with humans, taste preferences can change as animals age. Often older cats become more finicky and finicky about their food. This is because the cat's sense of smell wanes as they age, and food scents are not as appealing as they once were.

But the refusal to eat may be due to more serious reasons, such as toothache or gum disease. If your cat suddenly refuses food, don't accuse him of being moody. See your vet – he may be ill and need your help.

If you've been to the vet and found out he's fine, try to get him to eat with a few tricks, such as

• Warm the food in the microwave before serving – cats like their food slightly warm;
• stimulate your cat with pleasant smells – for example, sprinkle food with aromatic gravy;
• If you feed your cat industrial food, dilute it with semi-moist and pate food.

If the cat is not refusing food, but just eating a little less than before, do not force-feed, let him eat as much as he needs. Over time the cat may get skinny, but a slight weight loss is a natural part of growing old.

Industrial cat foods for senior cats

Many manufacturers make specialty foods for older cats. When choosing among them the right one for your pet, consider the price and reputation of the manufacturer, as well as carefully read the composition on the package.

Foods that are easily digestible, premium or higher, with no colorings or flavor enhancers are ideal. It is important to consider the characteristics of your cat – whether she is spayed or not, whether she is prone to weight gain or constipation, whether she has chronic diseases. The food should meet all these needs.

Do not buy cheap low-quality food! Protein, fat, carbohydrates and vitamin supplements in ratio they may not differ from expensive professional foods, but they use low quality raw materials, for example, feathers as a source of protein. In order to get a cat to eat such an inedible mixture, additives are added, which act as a narcotic for the cat. Cats that are used to eating these foods often refuse even fresh meat.

In addition, the risk of urolithiasis and cancer increases many times for cats eating cheap cat food. This is confirmed not only by feedback from owners, but also the opinion of experienced veterinarians.

The best dry food for senior cats

This sub-category is available in dry pellet format, which contains everything needed to keep cats over 7 years of age healthy. As long as an older cat has no problems chewing, it is suitable for regular nutrition.

6 Brit Premium with Salmon

In sixth place is Brit Premium Salmon, a complete dry cat food for senior cats of all breeds.

This balanced product helps keep aging animals healthy. The salmon in its composition provides a pleasant flavor of pellets, and even finicky pets will like it. The dry food contains vitamins and minerals, which are essential for good nutrition.

The product contains the following ingredients: 37% dehydrated meat (salmon, chicken), chicken and fish oil (containing Omega-3), rice flour, liver, taurine, vitamin-mineral complex, and rosemary extract. Daily consumption of Brit Premium improves skin and coat, normalizes the urinary system, and strengthens joints and bones in older cats.

Buyers prefer this product due to its affordable price, convenient packaging, balanced composition and benefits for the pet's body. Of the disadvantages, they note a strong fishy smell.

5 1st Choice for bone and joint health Senior, with chicken

The fifth ranked dry food from 1st Choice, designed for older (over 10 years) and sedentary cats of all breeds. Suitable for castrated cats.

This complete product is enriched with chondroitin and glucosamine for healthy joints and bones. Nutrients and antioxidants prevent premature aging of the animal. A specially developed formula with reduced sodium content takes care of the urinary system and prevents the formation of kidney stones.

What's the best food for senior cats

Today, supermarkets and pet stores offer a wide range of different foods for adult cats. Among them, there are high-quality premium products as well as budget products. In order to find the best option for your pet, you need to choose food responsibly and take into account many factors: the reputation of the manufacturer, compliance with the age of the pet, the preferences of your pet and more.

• Perfect Fit canned meat takes care of the cat's urinary system.
• Eukanuba is a complete diet for older pets.
• Dietary food from Hill's normalizes the gastrointestinal function of the pet.
• 1st Choice dry food contains chondroprotectors for healthy joints and bones.
• The Pro Plan product is suitable for spayed cats.
• Grandorf meat pellets contain only hypoallergenic ingredients.
• Hill's Science Plan is the most balanced diet approved by veterinarians.

We hope our review helps you choose the best food for older cats.

Rules for an elderly cat's diet

• Keep portions small but often;
• Don't leave food out in the open, as the cat might eat more often and gain weight;
• Ensure that your cat has access to clean, fresh water 24 hours a day. The cat needs to drink regularly, if she does not, place bowls of water around the house, you can also add tuna juice or catnip;
• Keep your cat's feeding area clean;
• Don't feed the cat fatty food, since its intestines can no longer properly break down fats;
• Do not change your cat's food abruptly or very slowly;
• buy supplements and vitamin complexes if the animal is on a natural diet;
• do not mix ready-made foods and natural food. Prepared foods have all the substances balanced, and if you also feed a natural food, you will get an imbalance.

It is important that the pet's menu has a low percentage of phosphorus, and protein should be less than that of young animals (no more than 40%). To avoid constipation, the diet should have a sufficient amount of fiber (up to 10%). There should be less sodium in the composition, but more taurine.

If the cat has no health problems, certain rules must be followed:

• The basis of the menu is beef. Lenten meat is given boiled, you can also scald fresh meat with boiling water;
• Chicken or rabbit can replace beef;
• Bran should be added to the meat to make it easier to digest;
• Low-fat cottage cheese can help dilute the diet;
• Be sure to add vegetables to the menu, they should be boiled in the meat broth;
• If you want to give by-products, they have to be boiled and ground.

If your cat has any diseases, you should not choose the menu for the animal yourself. Ask your doctor for help and he will prescribe a therapeutic diet.

A list of prohibited foods

There are certain foods that cats at an advanced age should not be given:

• spices, including salt and sugar;
• Fatty and smoked foods;
• fish. It has a lot of phosphorus, which can lead to kidney disease;
• Milk. It is not digested by the animal's body;
• grains, including oatmeal;
• meat that is not cooked;
• sausages and sausage, other processed foods;
• tomatoes and potatoes.

Basic Rules

Experienced owners know that there are outward signs of aging in catssuch as graying and discoloration of the irises of the eyes. If the behavior of an elderly cat is closely observed, they note deterioration of hearing, vision, increased duration of sleep and many other changes. It is worth noting that in healthy animals, these changes occur slowly and almost imperceptibly.

Even if your pet looks young and alert, it is worth following the general rules. Some kind of problem will occur anyway, and the sooner you discover it, the better. The basic rules are as follows:

• Show your pet to the vet at least once every six months, even if he looks healthy.

• Even if your cat used to walk around in the outdoors, stop letting her out.. First, walking outside is very dangerous, and second, older cats don't tolerate temperature changes well, and are more prone to overheating and overcooling.

• Make sure that an elderly cat does not lie on a cold floor or other surfaces.

• Older cats sleep longer and need more rest, so move your pet's bed to a place where it is inaccessible to children, other animals, guests, etc.

• If you notice that the cat has difficulty walking or getting up, try to pick it up very gently. Inflammatory processes in the joints cause pain even with little activity.

• Many older cats suffer from urinary incontinence (partial) incontinence, so take the time to equip each room with a tray with low sides.

• If you decide to bathe the cat, blow-dry or wipe it dry.

Many owners move all of the cat's accessories into one room and it makes sense. When a cat has aching joints, it is much easier for her to eat, drink, rest and go to the bathroom within the same room. When remodeling a room, keep in mind that it can be painful for a pet to jump, so either place everything on the floor or make sure that the pet can jump into the right place in several steps, such as from a chair.

Elderly cat health – important points

As mentioned above, an elderly cat should be seen by a doctor at least once every six months, but the pet should not be stressed either. Perhaps an alternative for you is to call a veterinarian at home, who will recommend where and with what purpose to go if any problems are found. During the preventive examination, the doctor should pay attention to the following aspects:

• Gathering a medical history, with particular attention to recent changes.
• Depth, clarity and frequency of breathing, heart rate.
• Level of body temperature.
• Condition of skin, coat, eyes, mouth, teeth, ears, claws.
• Palpation of the peritoneum, examination of the spine and joints.

If the doctor detects abnormalities in the functioning of any of the vital systems, he prescribes additional examinations. Diagnosis usually begins with blood sampling for a detailed analysis with biochemical indicators. You, as the owner, need to provide full care for the old cat in order to reduce the risks of the disease.

Immunity

For older animals, even mild colds, much less illnesses, pose a serious risk. Mild hypothermia quickly turns into pneumonia with complications on the heart, conjunctivitis acquires a chronic form, and otitis progresses to purulent. The reason is a weakened immune system, which is suppressed naturally.

The immune system is supported by standard ways: quality food, careful care and comfortable housing. An elderly cat should be protected as much as possible from contacts with virus carriers and sources of infection. Do not let your pet outside for walks without supervision and do not forget the rules of basic hygiene.

Pay attention! Parasites significantly weaken the immune defense of the cat's organism, do not forget to treat your pet for fleas and worms, even if it does not go outside.

The cat died, we miss him very much. Can I get one just like him?

Mom's cat is 17. He eats from his own table. He likes raw eggs (his chickens), drinks milk and sour milk. But the cottage cheese he buys on purpose.

My husband's cat lived for 24 years. True, the last couple of years he could barely walk, was blind, but he lived. All her life she was fed everything she ate from the table. In the summer she even ate mice at the dacha. I was never vaccinated.

My cat is 17 years old now. Quite a lively lass, though, of course, no back teeth, and she carries less mice in summer than she did in her youth. I feed her Royal Canin dry food, and every time I cut up some raw meat or poultry, of course the cat gets a fair portion. In the summer she catches anything that hasn't escaped and eats it too: mice, shrews. No vaccinations.

My sister's cat is 18 years old. Feeding everything in a row: dry Royal canin, various wet food from the cans, raw meat. (Last 5 years a cat with gastrointestinal problems she constantly). The cat's health is not good. Lives only at home. No vaccinations either.

It depends initially on the health of the cat, many cats are weak.
By the way, you shouldn't give fish to cats, it will damage their kidneys if your cat's health is poor.

Ours is 16 years old, she eats rats, mice, pigeons, bears, which she hunts for herself. Once a day we give her trash from the table, there's a little meat. I think she'll live a long time. And do not feed the cat, that's the problem!

My friend's cat is 17.5 years old. It looks like 10 years ago, active, thick fur. My friend lives modestly, she feeds her cat porridge with boiled sprat, and gives her dry food as a little treat. The cat is a street cat, not purebred.

My cat is almost 18 years old (semi-pers). I feed her everything, both food and natural food. When she was 10 I bought an expensive club Brit. With him, she switched to a super-premium food, and before that just whiskas. My favorite cat on these expensive foods lived only 5 years, liver failure. My kitty is now alone for 2 years, but the habit of super-premium food I feed my kitty. I don't think the food has much to do with it.

The cat doesn't go to the bathroom because of a spinal cord injury

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