Feeding Mature, Senior, and Geriatric Cats

The population of senior and geriatric cats is increasing. In fact, 35-40% of cats in North America are at least 7 years of age, and it is not uncommon for cats to live well into their twenties. Better nutrition, safer lifestyles, and improvements to preventive healthcare have contributed to this trend.

While old age is not a disease in itself, the body changes associated with aging make older cats more vulnerable to medical problems and disease. Cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease are the most common causes of non-accidental death in cats, but proper nutrition may help mitigate the risk of developing certain diseases and chronic conditions.

When is a cat considered to be senior or geriatric?

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) consider cats between 11-14 years of age to be senior while geriatric cats are 15 years and older.

At an approximate mid-life point, when a cat is considered mature (7-10 years old), it is common for cats to gain some weight and exhibit age-related physical and behavior changes. But before you consider switching to a senior cat food formula, it is important to first consult with your cat's veterinarian for a thorough physical and metabolic evaluation. Since many of the diseases commonly found in older cats can be detected early on, your cat's veterinarian may recommend a nutrient profile to deal specifically with any current medical concerns.

Why do mature, senior, and geriatric cats need to be fed differently?

Similar to humans, energy or calorie requirements in cats initially decrease in their senior years but unlike humans, energy requirements start to increase around 11 years of age. This is because, as cats age, they have difficulty digesting fats, proteins, and energy.

How do I control calorie intake and avoid nutrient excesses?

Calorie control in mature and senior cats usually means reducing calorie consumption by approximately 20-30%. In geriatric cats, it may be more important to increase their caloric intake to sustain a normal physique as their body condition and weight naturally declines with advanced age.

It is important to closely monitor your cat’s body condition and muscle condition and keep both in a good range.  Maintaining healthy body condition and muscle mass reduces the risk for many diseases including cancer, kidney disease, osteoarthritis, and immune-mediated disease. It can slow the progression of age-related changes and increase a cat's lifespan.

Most senior cat diets are formulated with appropriate nutrient limits and are less calorie-dense (fewer calories per cup/can) than rations for kittens and young adults; however, there are currently no established specific nutrient requirements. This means that the amounts of nutrients found in different foods can vary widely. Your best resource for choosing a diet for your senior cat is your veterinarian.  Your veterinarian will recommend a specific diet based on your cat’s specific needs.

Portion feeding plays an important role in controlling calorie intake and decreasing your cat's chance of becoming overweight or obese. On the other hand, portion feeding also helps you identify a decreased or absent appetite early on, which could signal underlying medical problems.

Be sure to ask your veterinarian for a specific portion recommendation, and divide the daily total into 2-5 meals depending upon your schedule. Do not rely on the feeding chart on the bag of kibble as it will overestimate how much you should feed. You want a portion recommendation tailored to your cat.

Once you know the appropriate quantity to feed at each meal, you can schedule regular weigh-ins at your veterinarian's office to monitor any weight gain or loss.

How do I ensure proper hydration?

Water is the single most important nutrient for cats of any age. Aging, however, interferes with a cat's sensitivity to thirst which is already low in cats and predisposes them to dehydration.

Chronic dehydration can interfere with normal metabolic function and may speed the progression of subclinical disease.

Make sure your cat has regular access to water and monitor the amount of water left in the bowl to see if there is any reduction in their water intake. Have multiple bowls of varied sizes in different areas and all floors of your home. Water bowls should not be near food as cats prefer not to drink close to their food. Some cats prefer to drink running water – if your cat prefers water from the tap, invest in a water fountain for them. Clean and freshen water bowls regularly to eliminate built up debris that may deter your cat. Feeding more canned food will also increase water intake.

What's the right mix of protein, phosphorus, and sodium?

Protein is a critical nutrient for maintaining good physical health in the face of aging. In healthy mature cats, providing the same high protein/low carbohydrate option fed to younger obesity-prone cats is just fine. Once kidney disease is diagnosed, however, a kidney support diet with a modified protein component optimizes longevity and quality of life.

Excessive phosphorus should be avoided in senior cats.

Excessive sodium in the diet can contribute to kidney disease and hypertension, both of which can be present for long periods of time before clinical signs emerge. Some have argued that providing excessive levels of sodium in order to increase thirst would increase water consumption and decrease the risk of lower urinary tract disease. However, the risks to cats with subclinical kidney disease and hypertension outweigh the benefits to bladder health.

Do I need to be concerned about offering treats and snacks to a mature, senior, or geriatric cat?

It is important to include treats and snacks in your discussion with your veterinarian about appropriate food choices for your mature cat. Unfortunately, many cat treats are just as unhealthy as the 'junk food' people consume!

It is best to choose commercial treats that reflect the nutrient balance of the chosen senior ration. Snacks from the table are not balanced at all and may contain high levels of fat and sodium.

With just a bit of planning and monitoring, you can lay the nutritional foundation for your cat's healthy senior years.

What food do we recommend at Abbeydale?

There are lots of great senior diets out there. At Abbeydale, we look for food that is formulated for seniors and have the science and research to verify it. We offer prescription diets that are formulated specifically for diseases we see more often in senior pets. Some of the diets we offer are: 

K/D Early Support -  Hills K/D Early support is clinically shown to sustain kidney function and healthy body condition in cats with early kidney disease. It is formulated to help maintain muscle mass and to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite and calcium oxalate crystals. 

K/D - Hills k/d kidney care is formulated to support your cat's kidney function and help sustain muscle mass. It uses enhanced appetite trigger technology to enhance appetite and increase food intake. It has high levels of essential amino acids (which are the building blocks of muscle protein) to promote your cat's natural ability to build lean muscle. It also protects vital kidney and heart functions.

J/D + K/D - Hills K/D + J/D combines the formulation of both diets to aid in kidney care and help with joint care and mobility. It has a high level of essential amino acids for building muscle protein and therapeutic levels of omega-3 fatty acids

Metabolic - Hills metabolic food is formulated to support weight loss and management. Even a little extra weight can impact the pet's quality of life and relationship with family because that extra weight can reduce play time, impact mobility, and affect the lifelong general health of your dog. J/d works with your cat's unique metabolism to help avoid weight regain after weight loss. It is made with a unique blend of fiber to help your pet feel full & satisfied between meals.

Onc Care - Hills Onc Care was originally designed for cancer patients. It is formulated to help maintain strength and energy as well as encourage eating from the very first bowl. It is made with highly digestible protein to help maintain strength & energy. It has optimal nutrition rich in calories to help support their daily activity and maintain their weight. 

W/D - Hills W/D Multi-Benefit supports your senior pet in many ways. It is formulated to help metabolize fat and maintain lean muscle which helps maintain healthy weight. It supports a healthy immune system and has balanced minerals for urinary health. It can help our pets with weight management, GI issues, and glucose management.

There are also commercially available senior diets that are formulated with our senior pets in mind. Some examples include: 

• Hills Science Diet Senior Vitality 7+
• Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ 
• Hills Science Diet Youthful Vitality 7+
• Hill's® Science Diet® Adult 11+
• Royal Canin Indoor 7+ Age Support
• Royal Canin Aging Spayed / Neutered 12+ Dry Adult Cat Food
   

Diet information adapted from https://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/