Pets that are more than eight years old need special care. In the body of elderly cats, metabolism is slow, in this regard, you should choose dry food for them very carefully.
Power Features
Entering old age, cats reduce physical activity, spending more time on sleep and eating. Based on this, you should make a diet with a low calorie content. If dry food predominates in the diet (it is acceptable if the pet has no diseases of the teeth and oral cavity), then the amount of water should be chosen 3/1. If the animal eats little, it is recommended to soak the food with water and warm it up a bit - so the cat will smell better. The sense of smell of older cats is weakened, so it is recommended to feed them with canned food or combine food with fish juice. Aging, pets often suffer from urinary disease, so the best option would be to remove foods rich in magnesium and phosphorus from their diet.
It is necessary to prevent the pet from overeating, as this can cause hypertension, liver problems, and also create a large load on the spine and joints, which are already worn out.
In addition, it is worth maintaining the balance of vitamins, because, for example, an excess of vitamins A and D causes irreversible changes, shortening the life of a cat. In addition, you need to make sure that the cat drank enough water, because its lack in the body is fraught with constipation, problems with the kidneys and heart, unsightly condition of the coat and skin. In order not to resort to violent measures, you can put a large container of water in it, add the juice of anchovies, tuna or catnip into it, drink it with a prebiotic drink for cats, or simply fill the bowl with aromatic broth.
The ration of animals with a sick heart needs to be freed from foods with sodium, replacing them with taurine sources. And with sick kidneys, it is recommended to base nutrition on an easily digestible protein. The food adapted for old cats is developed by almost every manufacturer, however, veterinarians advise to pay attention primarily to the holistic and super-premium class lines. Their composition is replete with trace elements, vegetables, fruits and herbs. It is undesirable to give preference to the economy class, since such food can cause additional health problems. The superpremium class, as a rule, is characterized by high-quality raw materials, and the holistic class is characterized by a low cereal content and a maximum concentration of vitamins and meat. Also, do not forget that the transition from one type of food to another should be carried out smoothly, within 5-8 days, otherwise the animal may experience stress.
Manufacturers rating
After conducting a small analysis of dry feed for aging pets, a rating was obtained top companies.
Royal canin
This brand appeared in 1967 in France thanks to the veterinarian Jean Cathari. Continuously developing, he was ranked as a premium. For older but active cats, the company offers Royal Canin Outdoor Mature. DFor inactive individuals designed Royal Canin Indoor 7+. And for very old pets, Royal Canin Ageing +12 is suitable.
Hills
Another well-known premium food brand developed by veterinarian Mark Morris. The peculiarity of this product is that at a low salt concentration it retains its nutritional value and good taste.
For cats over seven years old, the manufacturer produces Senior 7+ food.
Purina proplan
An American company with a history of nearly two centuries.
The feed line competently takes into account the animal health features: immobility, sensitive digestion, overweight, sterilization.
The composition of the products contains substances that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cat's brain.
Eukanuba
The brand was created in 1969. The highlight of the product is that the protein for its production is taken from animals: chickens, lambs, and also from fish. The polyunsaturated fatty acids included in the feed help maintain the skin and coat of the animal in order, and prebiotics stabilize the intestinal microflora.
1st choice
The manufacturer, pleased with its products since 1996. If the cat is older than seven years old, SENIOR food, which contains antioxidants and elements that strengthen the joints and immunity of the animal, is perfect for her.
Farmina
This Italian brand has been around for over forty years. For aging pets, the company produces the elite Farmina CIMIAO SENIOR food. In addition to the standard components, the product includes the required amount of fiber and substances for maintaining health: green tea and grape seed extract.
And importantly, feeds are made only from natural ingredients.
Tips from your veterinarian for choosing cat food can be found in the video below.
