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Your cat has been with you for a long time. She came before your husband, before your house, and before your kids. She’s been there for you through thick and thin, giving you comfort and love. Now that she’s older, you want to do your best to take care of her in her golden years.
Changes In The Older Cat
Your cat will begin to develop a few age-related physical changes anywhere from their 7th birthday on up to their 12th. As your cat ages, you’ll find that there are behavioral changes as well as the physical ones. Sone things that happen to your senior cat might include:
- Lower Immunity. A cat’s immune system has a difficult time fighting illness and infection.
- Decreased Hydration. There can several reasons why older cats don’t drink as much, but this can be a big problem as they age.
- Thin Skin. Thinner skin on a senior cat can make it prone to infection and poor blood circulation.
Grooming Trouble. Older cats have a difficult time grooming, which can lead to matted hair, odor, and inflammation. - Eye Change. Older cats can acquire a haziness over their lens and iris, but this usually does not affect their vision.
- Dental Disease. Very common in the senior cat; be sure to get regular vet checks to keep teeth healthy.
- Kidney Disease. This is common in older cats due to changes in aging kidneys. Symptoms vary.
- Joint Disease. Arthritis is common in older cats. Your cat might not be completely lame, but he might have trouble jumping and doing things that he used to do.
Other issues that your senior cat might face include:
- Loss of smell
- Hearing loss
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Cancer
Taking Good Care
Sure, that seems like a lot of things that can go wrong with your senior cat! However, taking good care of her as she ages can help thwart some of the things that can cause her the most trouble. You have the power to help your cat stay healthy and it all comes down to a few simple things.
- Check your cat weekly for changes in body, mouth, and disposition
- Brush your cat every day to help keep coat clean and prevent hairballs
- Help keep your cat active by playing with him everyday
- Provide plenty of fresh water for your cat to drink throughout the day
- Reduce the stress in your cat’s life as much as possible to keep him calm
But the most important thing you can do for your senior cat is making sure he has proper nutrition. Your older cat could be more sensitive to certain ingredients in cat food that he might not have had a problem with before. Watch out for ground corn, corn meal, and corn gluten meal as a main ingredient as they can be difficult to digest. Wheat and soy can cause GI problems in sensitive cats, but if they are low on the ingredient list, you should not see a problem.
Weight Control
If your senior cat is carrying extra pounds, you’ll want to get him back down to a healthy weight. Ask your vet about different options that can help. Consider looking for cat foods that include extra fiber, such as brown rice and barley that can fill them up without slowing them down. A few of the good weight control brands out there include:
- Wellness Complete Healthy Weight
- Nutro Ultra Indoor Weight Control
- Blue Wilderness Adult Weight Control
On the other hand, your senior cat might be losing weight already, which you want to keep track of. Alert the vet to any quick reductions.
Meet The Meats
When it comes to the best cat food for senior cats, steer clear of a vegan or vegetarian diet because your cat needs meat. Cats are carnivores and their bodies are built for meat and all of the nutrients that come with it such as taurine. Stick with meaty or fishy goodness that will entice your cat to eat such as:
- Blue Buffalo Longevity for Adult Cats
- Eukanuba Mature Care Dry
- Solid Gold Indigo Moon All Life Stages
Hydration
The best cat food for senior cats should include more moisture than just a dry kibble. Though dry food can be very good for kitty’s teeth to loosen the tartar and remove plaque, your aging senior might not have many teeth left to worry about! There is much to be said about switching to canned or wet food for your older cat and there are some fantastic brands out there that will really entice him, including:
- Addiction Turkey with Cranberries And Apples
- Artemis Fresh Mix Wet Chicken
- Wysong Vitality Canned Cat Food
Again, be sure to keep fresh water available at all times.
Grocery Store Cat Food
The best cat food for senior cats is the food that is void of artificial ingredients, meat by-products, and too many fillers that can cause sensitivity in your older cat. Many of the brands that are found in your local supermarket contain ingredients that should be left on the shelf, such as those that list corn as a first ingredient or those whose only meat source is a by-product. Watch out for the addition of BHA/BHT as a preservative as they are banned in human foods due to cancer risks.
If you do go with a store brand, stick with those that are high in real meat and nutrients, such as:
Though your cat is getting older, she can still be a part of your life for many more years to come. Feed her well, take good care of her, and she’ll continue to take good care of you.
