A Healthy Diet for an Older Cat

Do we have to feed different food to an older cat?
​This blog post is for cats that have are getting up there in age and you want to provide nutrition to maximize their health and well being.

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First off let's not define an older cat as a cat close to the end of their lives. In this case make them feel as comfortable and as happy as possible and  provide them with food that you know has been their favorite. Cats can become picky eaters in their later years so count it as a success if you can get your old cat to eat.

This blog post is for cats that have are getting up there in age and you want to provide nutrition to maximize their health and well being.

A cat’s digestive physiology changes as it gets older. Around the age of 11 or 12, the ability to digest fat starts to decline. Fats contain more calories per gram than do either proteins or carbohydrates, so this can have a major effect on an older cat’s ability to extract calories (energy) from food. 

To make matters worse, new research has shown that around 20% of cats over the age of 14 have a reduced ability to digest protein. Put these two conditions together and without dietary intervention, a cat will lose both fat and muscle mass. The loss of muscle mass is a concern because these feline friends are then at increased risk of illness and death.

Also, many older cats also have some degree of arthritis and are at heightened risk for kidney disease. Advanced age also increases the production of free radicals within the body. A free radical is “a group of atoms containing oxygen and electrons that can alter and damage the chemical structure of cells or other compounds.”

Free radicals essentially “steal” electrons from whatever is nearby. When another molecule is forced to give up an electron, it often becomes a free radical itself, which continues the cycle of cellular injury. 

Based on all this, a good diet for an older cat has the following characteristics:

• High antioxidant levels (e.g. Vitamins A, C, and E, beta carotene, and selenium) to counteract free radical damage. You may have heard of read about antioxidant foods for humans too as we can also benefit from foods that are high in antioxidants.
• Low levels of phosphorus to protect the kidneys. High quality protein sources contain less phosphorous than do those of low quality.
• Enough protein to maintain a cat’s muscle mass. Extra carnitine (an amino acid) can also help.
• Fish oils and other sources of essential fatty acids to counteract the effects of brain aging and promote joint health.
• A moderate to high level of fat, based on a cat’s body condition score. Skinny cats need a lot of fat to maximize their caloric intake. Overweight cats can do with a bit less.
• And last, but certainly not least - something that tastes good - something your cat will eat - something that smells good  and stimulates the appetite.

These recommendations can certainly change if an older cat suffers from a disease that is managed, at least in part, through diet. During your next visit bring up the matter of a healthy diet for your older cat. We will help you determine which particular food might be best for your cat based on its individual needs.

Taken from Pet MD (with some minor modifications) and used to display the blog format for your new website. The image is one that I own.

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