Cats over 11 years have specific nutritional needs that differ from younger cats, with appropriate dietary management being central to maintaining quality of life in the senior years.
Senior cat nutrition welfare is frequently inadequate because owners continue feeding the same diet throughout a cat's life despite changing needs. A geriatric cat losing weight despite eating is not thriving - it is struggling with reduced digestive efficiency that requires dietary adjustment. More importantly, a cat developing chronic kidney disease whose diet is not adapted to reduce phosphorus load may be progressing to end-stage kidney disease faster than necessary. The welfare investment in regular veterinary senior screening, weight monitoring, and dietary adjustment as cats age significantly improves quality of life and potentially extends healthy life. Senior cats deserve the same attentive dietary management that is provided to senior dogs, yet feline nutritional needs in old age remain less well-recognized by owners.