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Tips for Feeding Your Senior Cat
Tips for Feeding Your Senior Cat

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Comprehensive Guide to Feeding Senior Cats

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Cats are known for their graceful demeanor and independent attitude. Their average lifespan is approximately 12 to 18 years. Cats over 3 years of age are deemed adults, and from the age of 11 years, they become senior cats.

Like most animals, cats’ eating habits also change with age - - kittens often need more food as they require more energy, and adult cats require a moderate amount of food to have sufficient energy. Senior cats often have a smaller appetite compared to their younger counterparts. Therefore, pet parents should keep track of their cat’s changing food requirements. Read the following if you too have queries related to feeding cats or how to feed older cats.
 

Why pay special attention to senior cats’ diets?

Your senior cat’s health and well-being are directly linked to their eating habits. Cat caregivers need to be more vigilant while feeding senior cats to ensure that their feline friend is provided with the right amount of nutrition and nourishment. 
 

As a pet parent, you need to be mindful when feeding your cat. It has different nutritional requirements at various stages of its life. Kittens need to be fed with uttermost care to ensure appropriate growth and development, adult cats need well-monitored feeding portions to avoid overeating, and senior cats need a regularized diet to maintain their health. Hence, senior cat food contains high-quality protein and added vitamin E for more bone and joint strength.
 

As cats grow older, their sense of taste and smell begin to fade. Senior cats also experience deteriorating teeth which affect their ability to chew. Hence, older cats’ caregivers need to take the following measures while feeding them:

  • Feed small bite-sized pieces of food instead of larger chunks
  • Include softer food so that it is easier for your senior cats to properly chew the food

  • Add food with higher meat content to enhance the food’s smell and flavor
     

Tips for feeding cats

An old kitty or senior cat may need a small quantity of food with higher nutrients. Cat feeding tips help pet parents to provide the right nutrition and nourishment to their senior kitty. Here are a few essential tips that caregivers should consider when feeding their senior cats:
 

  1. Smaller meals:

     As the cats grow older, their appetite decreases. However, they still need high amounts of protein and vitamins to meet their daily nutritional quota. Therefore, if your senior cat has digestive issues, feed it at least 10 to 12 times a day, whereas healthy older cats should be fed three to four times a day.
  2. Room temperature food: 

    Instead of serving food too hot or too cold, pet parents should serve it in normal room temperature. As older cats find it difficult to smell, room-temperature food helps them taste and smell the food better.
  3. High-quality:

     Feed only high-quality easy-to-digest food to adult and senior kitties. Good quality cat food contains vital nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and moisture to suffice your senior kitty’s nourishment needs.

    Even though the food requirements of cats depend on the kitty’s age, you should also take their health condition, weight, appetite, and lifestyle into consideration. Pet parents are also recommended to consult a veterinary doctor to understand their kitty’s health requirements, nutritional deficiencies, and underlying diseases before selecting a diet plan or senior cat food brand.

Frequently asked questions

  1. How much food should I feed my senior cat?
  2. Average-weight senior cats need approximately 280 to 360 calories a day. Pet parents are often advised to feed their geriatric cats high-quality cat food depending on their weight, health condition, and nutritional deficiencies.

  3. How often should you feed a senior cat?
  4. Ideally, your senior cat should be fed a small portion of high-quality cat food at least three to four times a day. However, if your kitty has digestive issues, then you should feed it smaller portions 10 to 12 times a day.

  5. Is it important to feed geriatric cats senior cat food?
  6. Yes, you should feed senior cat food to your older kitty as this type of food is specifically formulated for meeting their nutritional requirements.

  7. What are the benefits of senior cat food?
  8. The benefits of senior cat food are as mentioned below:

    • Higher antioxidants for better immunity.
    • High fiber content for better digestive health.
    • Added vitamins for improved joint and bone health.

  9. At what age is a cat considered a senior cat?
  10. Cats older than 11 years are considered senior cats.

  • Kitten and cat adoption basics
    Kitten and cat adoption basics
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    All You Need To Know Before Adopting A Cat

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    Adopting a cat can see you develop one of the most beautiful bonds of your life as you connect with your feline friend. Cats are playful creatures who can be very affectionate and form a strong relationship with you. Every time you play with your cat or simply spend time with them, you may notice a significant drop in stress levels and experience a boost of happiness. However, it is important to remember that cat adoption is a big decision which comes with a lot of responsibilities. Your home will become the cat’s home and you become their family. To ensure they get the best possible future with you, there are a few things that you need to understand before proceeding with cat adoption.
     

    Things to consider before cat adoption

    Whether you are opting to adopt a kitten or a grown cat, here are some things you need to consider before going through with the entire process.

     

    1. The cat will need to be spayed/neutered:

       If the cat has not been spayed or neutered already at the time of adoption, you will need to get this done. If you are adopting a kitten, you will need to get them spayed/neutered once they are of suitable age. Do talk to the shelter house and a vet for more information on the procedure.
       
    2. Proceed with cat adoption only after reviewing your routine:

      If you lead a busy lifestyle, you will need to consider how you will make time for your cat. This includes taking care of your cat and maintaining their feeding times. You will need to dedicate your time to planning the right food, serving meals at proper intervals, and ensuring that you can make time for play too.
    3. Adoption is a long-term commitment:

      Adoption is a permanent duty and a bond that lasts for a lifetime. When you bring home a rescued cat or adopt one from a shelter, you are providing the animal with new hope. The cat will be a member of your family and you will need to treat them as such. The lifespan of cats generally ranges from 12 to 20 years, and this is how long your commitment will be. Only once you have considered the enormity of your decision and are ready for it, should you go through with cat or kitten adoption.

     

     

    Providing favorable conditions for the adopted cat

    Before you bring home an adopted or a rescued cat, you will need to make a few changes in your house to create favorable conditions for them. You can begin by doing the following:

     

    1. Remove items that can be toxic to a cat, like certain plants or chemical agents.
    2. Cover up exposed electrical wires in a way that the cat can’t reach them (since they might try to chew up the wire, which can lead to a severe accident).
    3. Prepare your kids and teach them the basics of being responsible around a cat.
    4. Keep a special room or space for the cat, so they can feel safe and get a sense of belonging.
    5. Find a vet near your area where you can take the rescued cat for regular check-ups.

     

    What are some benefits of cat adoption?

    Adopting a cat also has many benefits such as:
     

    1. You help a cat in need:

       If you adopt a cat instead of buying one, you will be helping a cat in need. You will be giving a rescued cat much-needed shelter, their own space, and a family that loves them.
       
    2. The cat will most likely be trained:

      A cat that is adopted from a shelter will already be trained in basic activities like feeding from a bowl and using a scratching post.
       
    3. You can adopt a cat based on their personality:

      One of the biggest benefits of adopting a cat from a shelter is that they often have an already established personality. This makes it easier for people to adopt a cat that best suits their lifestyle.

     

    Factors to keep in mind when adopting a cat

    When adopting a cat, here are a few factors you should keep in mind:

     

    1. Presence of other pet cats:

      If you have other cats at home, you will need to adopt a cat that likes their company. You can talk to the shelter home about this, so they direct you to cats who bond well with other cats.
       
    2. The inevitable costs:

      Adopting and taking care of cats means having to bear quite a few costs – costs of regular vet visits, medicines, foods, toys, and more. Moreover, if you are bringing home a rescued cat, they may require even more care and attention from a vet. So, do consider these costs before proceeding with the adoption.
       
    3. Your routine:

      When you adopt a cat, you should be able to make time for them and give them proper care and attention. You can also consider adopting a cat whose lifestyle matches yours. For instance, a cat who likes being independent can be a perfect choice for someone who is often busy.
       

     Essentials to purchase for your cat

    To give your cat the best life, ensure that you have all of the following essentials:

     

    1. Food and water bowls
    2. Litter box
    3. Scratching post
    4. Toys
    5. Cat nips
    6. Cat grooming equipment
    7. A durable carrier or crate
    8. Cat bed
    9. Collar with an ID tag 

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