How the nutritional needs of cats change with age and what dietary management best supports the welfare of senior and geriatric cats.
Senior cat nutrition is an area where small changes in management can have significant welfare effects. The metabolic changes of ageing — reduced digestive efficiency, changing protein metabolism, declining renal function — mean that what was an appropriate diet for a younger cat may be inadequate or actively harmful for a senior one. Muscle wasting is a particular concern: cats lose lean muscle mass as they age, and this is accelerated by inadequate protein intake at a stage when many owners reduce food due to less visible activity. Regular veterinary assessment of body condition including muscle condition score, combined with age-appropriate dietary management, represents high-impact welfare care for senior cats.