Senior cat food

Your cat’s metabolism slows down with age, so they may start putting on pounds because their body is burning fewer calories. Take it seriously if your older cat starts gaining weight, because obesity is the number one factor in developing Type 2 diabetes.

Or your cat may develop the opposite problem and start losing weight as they age. Why? Because they have less of an appetite and their digestive system has a harder time absorbing nutrients.

So be on the lookout for weight gain or loss and adjust your cat’s diet accordingly. To know what to look for, check out the Body Condition Score PDF created by WSAVA.

Senior kitty slimming down? Consult your veterinarian before you do anything. They can make sure the weight loss is not related to pain or illness and offer advice on tailoring your senior cat’s nutrition plan to meet their special needs.

Or maybe your feline friend is putting on a paunch? Again, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you determine how much to feed your cat every day and even recommend a special senior cat food designed to promote weight loss and maintenance and all the other things aging kitties need.

What about treats? They’re one of the sweet things in life—even for your cat. You want your senior cat to enjoy their golden years, and you know how much they love those treats. Just don’t overdo it. Too many treats can throw off a carefully balanced diet and add extra calories that can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity.

To know which treats are safe to incorporate into your aging cat’s nutrition plan, talk to your veterinary team.

Age can have an impact on your cat’s muscle mass. To help your cat maintain mobility and a good quality of life, take steps to keep their muscles healthy.

How? Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to protein content. Consuming high-quality protein can help prevent muscle atrophy, but also improve your older cat’s life expectancy and quality of life.

Your Globalvet team is trained to assess your cat’s muscle condition score and recommend senior cat food tailored to their specific requirements.

Not sure if kitty is losing muscle mass? Consult the Muscle Condition Score PDF created by WSAVA.

Did you know that joint problems are very common in cats? That’s right, and the symptoms often go unnoticed or are dismissed as normal signs of aging. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint condition in house cats. Up to 90% of mature cats suffer from it! Source: Osteoarthritis in Cats.

If your cat starts being withdrawn, stops jumping up on furniture, or becomes less active, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Why? Because these are all potential signs of pain and discomfort from joint disease, and they should be taken seriously. To learn how to tell if your cat is in pain, read our article Savez-vous reconnaître la douleur chez votre chien ou votre chat?read our article (in French only).

How do you prevent these kinds of issues? First, work with your veterinarian to monitor and address risk factors like:

• Age
• Being overweight
• Obesity
• Past injuries

And be sure to focus on a senior cat nutrition plan that includes a balanced diet for optimal joint health. Some senior cat foods even contain supplements with proven benefits for joint care, including:

• Fish oil
• Green-lipped mussels
• Glucosamine

But these supplements must be in sufficient quantities and from high-quality sources to be effective, so go with tried and tested products. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the best senior cat food and give you advice on appropriate serving sizes.

With a life expectancy of 15 years, your cat’s odds of developing an age-related chronic illness are higher. The most commonly diagnosed conditions are:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Certain cancers, lymphoma being the most prevalent

Giving your senior cat food specially designed for their mature life stage can slow the effects of aging, but close monitoring is essential. Early signs of chronic illness can be subtle and interpreted as normal aging. Watch your cat closely for changes in their habits or behaviour. Take note if your senior kitty:

• Is urinating more frequently
• Is urinating larger amounts
• Is drinking more than usual
• Is withdrawn or anti-social
• Has a bigger (or smaller) appetite
• Is more active at night
• Sleeps more during the day

If in doubt, talk to your veterinarian. They can examine your cat and run tests to determine if the changes are illness-related. They can also change your cat’s prescription diet accordingly.

To find out what to expect from a health consultation and what tests your vet might perform, see:

• Health-related consultations
• Lab tests for dogs and cats