Senior Cat Food FAQs
Got a question about moving your favourite feline onto cat food for older cats? We’ve put together some really useful answers from our nutrition team at Burgess, the pet care experts.
What should a high protein cat food for senior cats contain?
A good quality complete senior cat dry food will contain all the protein, vitamins and minerals that cats need to stay in tip-top condition, throughout their life.
Along with easily digestible, high-quality protein, cat food for elderly cats should feature glucosamine to help support joint mobility, along with taurine – an amino acid that’s essential for ‘obligate’ or ‘true carnivores’ such as cats who need to eat meat to survive and thrive. Taurine supports vision, digestion and heart muscle function.
Senior cats also benefit from essential fatty acids to help to support healthy skin and a shiny coat , antioxidants to help support their immune system, along with ingredients to support urinary tract health.
Supporting dental health in elderly cats is important too. It’s estimated that up to 70% of cats develop dental disease by the age of three – so look for specialist ingredients which help to support healthy teeth and gums, such as those found in our Mature Cat Turkey and Cranberry.
When should I start feeding cat food for senior cats?
Cats from the age of seven are able to switch to a mature food. But it’s important to remember that changing up your cat’s diet from adult to senior cat dry food is something that has to be done gradually, to avoid upset tummies. You should plan to do this over a week or two by gradually introducing more of the new food and reducing the old food.
As pet care experts, we understand that older cats can sometimes be fussy eaters, but as the five-star demonstrate, our delicious Turkey & Cranberry recipe is proving to be a hit with discerning senior cats!
If I switch to food for senior cats, will my elderly cat require additional supplements?
Cats require a careful balance of at least 13 different vitamins, plus the essential amino acid taurine to promote a healthy heart and eyes. A complete diet will have all the necessary vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids in the right ratio.
Your cat should get everything they need from their food. With the right food from a reputable supplier, there’s no need to give your cat extra vitamins. In fact, the overdosing of vitamins can be harmful. Unless you are advised by your vet, your cat should not require additional supplements.
How much food should a senior cat eat?
This depends on your cat’s age and lifestyle. For instance, house cats may need less calories than cats who spend much of their day roaming outdoors.
In addition, your cat will go through various transformations as they enter the ‘mature’ stage. Feline wellbeing charity International Cat Care recognises six life stages – Kitten (0-6 months), Junior (7 months – 2 years), Adult (3 years – 6 years), Mature (7 years – 10 years), Senior (11 years – 14 years) and Super Senior (15+ years). A 7-year-old cat is likely to be much more active than one that has reached the grand old age of 15.
All of our cat food for senior cats comes with guideline portion sizes on the pack. However, if you’re still unsure then we recommend contacting your local veterinary practice. Alternatively, get in touch with us using our online contact form or give our expert team a call on +44 (0)1405 862241.
When it comes to serving up food for your favourite feline, the golden rule is don’t guestimate – measure out accurate portions instead. Giving your cat a little more than they need means that you run the risk of your cat becoming overweight, which can lead to all manner of health problems. Equally, if you don’t feed enough, your pet will not be getting all the nutrients they need and will become underweight.
Unlike wet cat food, with dry cat food, it’s easy to measure out exactly the right sized portion by following the on-pack instructions. The food also stays fresh inside the pack until you’re ready to serve it to your cat companion.
How often should I feed my senior cat?
Cats naturally eat lots of small meals per day. Try to split their daily intake of mature cat food into several small meals, unless advised otherwise by your vet.
Providing dry complete mature cat food in a variety of ways, such as treat balls or cat puzzles can deliver a much more rewarding experience for your cat and can help keep both body and mind active.
Make sure to supply plenty of fresh water too, but in a separate place to their feeding area. Lots of cats aren’t keen on drinking water from a bowl, preferring moving water to still – so it may be worth investing in a cat fountain if you don’t want them drinking from a dripping tap!
Order online and have your Burgess Mature Cat with Turkey & Cranberry food delivered straight to your door
