Cat Senior Nutrition and Welfare

Nutritional needs change significantly in older cats. Addressing these changes proactively maintains quality of life through the senior and geriatric stages.

Key Facts

Cats are considered senior from age 11 and geriatric from age 15
Older cats often have reduced digestive efficiency requiring higher-quality protein sources
Muscle mass loss (sarcopenia) is common in senior cats and worsened by inadequate protein intake
Many senior cats develop dental disease, kidney disease, or hyperthyroidism requiring dietary modification
Phosphorus restriction in cats with chronic kidney disease slows disease progression significantly

Welfare Considerations

Senior cats with inadequate nutrition experience progressive muscle loss, reduced immune function, and worsened management of age-related diseases. Many older cats on standard adult foods are functionally protein-deficient despite adequate calorie intake due to reduced digestibility. Senior-specific diets with high-quality digestible protein support muscle maintenance. Disease-specific dietary needs in cats with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes require veterinary nutritional guidance to optimise quality of life.

What You Can Do

Transition senior cats to high-quality senior-specific diets from around age 10-11
Discuss prescription diet options with your vet if chronic disease develops
Monitor body weight and muscle condition monthly in cats over 12 years old
Ensure multiple small meals or ad-lib feeding for senior cats with reduced appetite
Supplement omega-3 fatty acids if advised by your veterinarian for joint and cognitive health