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If your cat is getting a little long in the tooth, it might be time to switch them to a senior cat food. A good quality cat food for senior cats will address the specific nutritional needs of our older companion animals. These foods can help your cat live a happier, healthier life through their golden years. If you are thinking it might be time to switch your cat to a senior cat food, we have some great recommendations for you.
Talk To Your Veterinarian
Before making any changes to your cat’s diet, you need to first consult with your veterinarian. This is especially important for senior cats because they are more prone to developing chronic illnesses and have special dietary needs. Your veterinarian will make special recommendations for what to look for in a food to meet the specific needs of your senior cat and will usually recommend how to transition your cat onto a new food. Since cats vary in age, your veterinarian will also recommend what age you should start switching your cat to a senior food which will depend on the breed and overall health of your cat. So it is key to talk to your veterinarian before making the switch.
The Dietary Needs Of Senior Cats
The dietary needs of senior cats is not that much different than adult cats. Senior cats need a little less protein and fat because it becomes harder for them to digest as they get older. They also need cranberries for urinary tract support and extra fiber for digestive support. It’s also good to look for a food with glucosamine and chondroitin and omega fatty acids to support their joint health as they tend to wear with age. Omega fatty acids also help support a shiny coat and healthy skin that will dull with age. Finally, you want to find a food with a lot of antioxidants to support a strong immune system and healthy brain function.
How To Switch Your Cat To A Senior Food
Changing your cat to a senior food right away can be rough on their digestion, especially if they’ve been eating the same food for most of their lives. So it is important to transition them slowly onto their new food. Start a week before the transition by setting up a good routine. You should be feeding your cat a full serving of cat food twice a day. Usually you will feed them once in the morning and once at night, depending on your schedule. Then when it is time to make the switch, you want to slowly start adding the senior food to their normal adult food over a seven day period, monitoring them for any changes in health and behavior. Typically, the transition schedule will be:
- Day One: Mix 25% senior food to 75% adult food.
- Day Two: Mix 30% senior food to 70% adult food.
- Day Three: Mix 60% senior food to 40% adult food.
- Day Four: Mix 50% senior food to 50% adult food.
- Day Five: Mix 40% senior food to 60% adult food.
- Day Six: Mix 25% senior food to 75% adult food.
- Day Seven: 100% senior food.
The Three Best Senior Foods
Once it is time to switch your cat to a senior food, you should start looking for a high quality, natural cat food formulated for senior cats. The following are our recommendations for the best cat food for senior cats:
Wellness Complete Health Senior Health Natural Dry Cat Food
Wellness is a highly rated, top quality cat food manufacturer. Their senior health formula is made specifically to address the needs of senior cats. It has a higher level of fiber for digestive health, a triple cranberry blend for urinary tract health, and a patented WellFlex system for joint support. Senior Health is made with all natural ingredients and is loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients to help your cat stay healthy and sharp well into their old age. It is a great food to address the overall nutritional needs of a senior cat.
Organix Grain Free Healthy Senior Recipe Dry Cat Food
Organix is a certified organic cat food formulated for the overall health of your senior cat. It has reduced calories and fat, as well as a high fiber content and probiotics so it’s easy on your senior cat’s digestion but still provides plenty of energy. It is also fortified with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals to ensure your cat gets all the nutrition they need in their senior years. If you are looking for a high quality organic food for your senior cat, Organix Healthy Senior is a great choice.
CANIDAE Grain Free PURE Meadow For Senior And Less Active Cats
CANIDAE PURE is a limited ingredient cat food that is great for senior cats that have developed allergies or digestive issues in their old age. It contains only eight key ingredients that are fortified with a balanced blend of vitamins and minerals to meet all the nutritional needs of your senior cat. CANIDAE PURE is also formulated with probiotics, making it one of the best cat foods to feed senior cats with digestion problems.
When your cat gets older, you want to make sure that you are feeding them a great food so they can spend their golden years happy and healthy. Senior cats have similar nutritional needs to adult cats, but there are some special ingredients that can bolster their health. So when it’s time to shop for a senior food talk to your veterinarian and check out our recommendations so that your cat continues living a long time.
