Find the best senior dry cat food for your furry friend.
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What is the best senior dry cat food in 2024?
Senior cats do not have the same nutritional needs as young adult cats. To maintain their health and wellbeing, it is recommended to give them specifically designed food for senior cats.
As cats age, they become less active and their appetite decreases. This is why it is not recommended to give them regular cat food, and in particular food for neutered cats, which is no longer suitable for them. Indeed, senior cat food and sterilised cat food are very different as these types of cats have opposite needs. The former has higher protein and fat requirements, while the latter must eat "light" to prevent weight gain.
You may be wondering at what age senior food should be introduced? This depends on the cat and their health. A cat is most commonly considered a senior from 8-10 years old. Senior dry cat food is developed by nutritionists to provide cats with the right food for their needs. Depending on the animal, you can opt for grain free senior dry food, richer senior kibbles which are more flavourful or even cat food with supplements to maintain their joints and encourage them to stay active.
Summary
- Why should I buy senior dry cat food?
- What are the nutritional requirements of senior cats?
- What are the different types of senior dry cat food?
- Is it compulsory to feed my cat with specific senior cat food?
- From what age should I buy senior cat food?
- Is it really worth paying more for senior dry cat food?
Why should I buy senior dry cat food?
As cats age, they can develop a variety of diseases and conditions, some more serious than others. Chronic kidney insufficiency is the most common. If properly controlled with special senior cat food, their onset may be delayed, and sometimes even avoided. Other serious conditions include tumours, heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Finally, oral diseases and degeneration of bones and muscles can be debilitating. So, it is important to find the right balance of different ingredients and nutrients to provide a healthy diet.
What are the nutritional requirements of senior cats?
As time goes on, a cat's nutritional needs change. To keep the senior cat healthy, it is advisable to adjust their diet. For example, vitamin C should be included in the diet because it reduces the risk of oral diseases. The amount of vitamin E should also be increased, as it fights the effects of ageing. It is also recommended to buy senior cat food with a higher energy intake and palatability, to compensate for the reduced appetite and digestion capacity. Furthermore, it is best to reduce the phosphorus levels and to avoid foods that acidify urine, as they encourage the formation of stones. Finally, it is better if the kibble is softer, as it is easier to chew. Don’t forget to give the senior cat plenty of water, as kibbles do not provide any.
What are the different types of senior dry cat food?
Cat food is made up of animal-derived raw materials, mineral supplements, vitamins and texturing agents, and often cereals. These individual components are dehydrated and mixed in the factory. After that, they are cooked, cut, dried and finally coated with grease to make them more appetising. Depending on the brand and the price, the composition of kibbles varies in terms of the proportion of animal and/or vegetable proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
The kibbles for senior cats can therefore be found in different ranges: standard, premium, organic, grain-free, supplemented and so on.
Is it compulsory to feed my cat with specific senior cat food?
No, of course, it is not mandatory. Senior cat food has been developed in recent years: senior cats in the 1980s did not have this luxury! But research on cat diet has led to tremendous progress in feline nutrition. Senior dry food offers significant comfort to older cats, in particular senior dry cat food for kidneys. It helps prolong the cat’s good health for as long as possible. But if, for some reason, you run out of senior food, don't panic, you can still feed your cat regular dry food. However, you should use the same brand and type of kibble to avoid a sudden transition in diet that could lead to digestive problems.
From what age should I buy senior cat food?
At what age should I start giving my cat senior kibble? The answer is easy – when they get old! All jokes aside, not all cats are the same when it comes to ageing, just like humans. Some cats may show signs of ageing at 8 years old, others at 10 or even 12. Some breeds live longer than others and will show signs of ageing later. You can see the first signs of ageing in your cat: they no longer jump as high, have difficulty licking their back... It might be the sight to switch them to senior dry food. During the annual check-up at the vet's, you can also ask them for advice and decide on a new diet together.
Is it really worth paying more for senior dry cat food?
Yes, absolutely! Cheap cat food doesn't contain the nutrients needed for good health. It is very difficult to find your way around the price of kibble: for the same brand, the cost can be twice as high depending on the distribution network. Furthermore, an important factor to take into account is the quantity to be given every day. Depending on the dry food, manufacturers can indicate quantities ranging from 70 to 110 g per day for a 6 kg cat, which makes a difference of 40%. Some instructions are a little broad, so it's worth asking your vet how much dry food to give daily. Often the most nutritious kibbles are the most expensive, but they are also the ones to be fed in smaller quantities.
