Senior cat nutrition requires adjustments that support aging organ systems while maintaining lean muscle mass, with significant welfare implications for quality and length of life.
Senior cat nutrition is more complex than simply buying a "senior" food. Many senior formulations reduce protein — the opposite of what aging cats need. Muscle wasting is a welfare concern because it leads to weakness, reduced immunity, and reduced quality of life. Senior cats also commonly develop hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, and dental disease that interact with nutritional needs. Working with a vet to tailor nutrition to each individual cat's health status, rather than using generic senior food, is the gold standard of welfare-positive senior cat care.