OLDER CATS (7+)
By around 7 years and older, cats start to experience a decline in the function of certain organs, including the immune system. They may be less active and the sense of smell or taste can also be affected.
Foods for older cats are available that have an adjusted nutritional composition. Nutrients that boost immune function may be used and special attention is paid to make the food palatable and easy to chew.
Particular attention should be made to body weight as this can go up initially, but may reduce as a cat gets very old.
Cats also experience changes in how they digest their food as they age – specifically, they cannot digest protein or oils as efficiently as before. Senior diets are formulated to be more digestible to help combat these changes.
Always consult a vet if worried about changes in a cats weight, especially as the cat ages.
Is your pet a healthy weight? - Use our Pet Size-O-Meter
For a healthy, happy pet, you need to keep it at the right weight throughout its life. Being overweight, or indeed underweight, can lead to serious health risks. It is good to get into the habit of checking your pet on a regular basis. The Pet Size O-Meter is the perfect tool to do this. We recommend checking once a month to increase the chances of your pet living a long and healthy life.
