Do Older Cats Need Less Food?

**collaborative post**

When your cat turns 9 they enter another stage in their life. They are already considered seniors, and this is why their needs will change. Don’t be scared of the term seniors — many cats live up to 20 years! However, you will have to change the way you take care of your cat, and one of the aspects is your furry friend’s food. Let’s dig deeper into that.

What is the difference between senior and geriatric cats?

Most people will just call every old cat a senior, but there is a difference between a senior and a geriatric cat. Cats between 9 and 15 years are considered seniors, and the geriatric ones are above 15. As you can imagine, the care you take for cats above 15 is even more, especially when it comes to their health.

In their adolescence, cats tend to gain some weight, but when they become seniors, they usually lose some weight and need other nutrients. You will have to find a recipe tailored for older cats that will fit the particular needs of your furry friend. With age, cats can develop different health conditions that will require different food and care. Keep reading to find out more about the nutrition of a senior cat.

Nutrition of senior and geriatric cats

Just like with humans with age dietary needs of cats change with time. This is because their metabolism will change and also their activity level. When your cat is less active, it won’t need so many calories. After the age of 9, your furry friend will need around 20-30% fewer calories. However, when your cat is above 15, they will need less food in quantity but a higher calorie intake to keep their physique. 

If you don’t monitor the calory intake of your cat when they become senior, they might start to suffer from obesity and, after that, other health conditions. Your furry friend will become less active, so it won’t be able to use all the energy they get from the food. You have to observe your pet’s body condition and muscle mass. Some of the most common conditions that can be caused by a diet that is not suitable for your senior cats are:

• Kidney disease;
• Obesity;
• Cancer;
• Osteoarthritis;
• Diabetes and others. 

Keep in mind that almost every brand out there will have a wide variety of cat food for seniors. You might notice that the calories will also vary. This is because there is not only one recipe suitable for older cats. The best way to choose the right food is to consult with your veterinarian. They will know the best nutrients your furry friend needs to stay healthy and have a long, happy life. Maybe your cat will need only wet food, or a bit of dry one will be good from time to time. Or, if there are any additional health conditions you have to keep in mind, your vet will tell you what you should avoid or what you should definitely look for in the food you will get. 

Giving your cat the right amount of food is just as important as the quality of the food. In most cases, you will have to decrease the portion of your furry friend with time. You might even notice that at some point, your pet is not going to eat all the food you give them, and this is the first sign that they need less. If you are already giving less food to your senior cat but notice it still doesn’t eat the whole portion, this might be a bad sign. The loss of appetite is something you should definitely consider and go for a checkup with your vet. 

When it comes to treats and snacks, this is also something you might have to change. As most of the treats are actually considered junk food for cats, you will probably have to significantly decrease the ones you give to your pet or stop them completely. However, some are specifically made for seniors and geriatric that you can provide them from time to time.

Wrapping up

Taking care of your cat is essential at any age but when they become senior or geriatric is even more crucial. You will have to check for any health conditions more carefully, not miss regular vet checkups, adapt your pet’s diet, and take more care of them. We are sure you will do your best to guarantee your cat a happy and long life, and your furry friend will love you unconditionally because of that.