14/12/2023
WHAT YOUR AGING CAT NEEDS MOST:
Aging cats, like all mammals entering their senior and geriatric years, are more likely to develop health problems, but one problem kitties tend not to have as they get older is obesity. In fact, it's common for cats to get thinner as they age, not heavier.
Research shows that 20% of cats 14 years and older don't digest protein efficiently. A compromised ability to digest both fat and protein is likely a major reason senior and geriatric cats lose both fat and muscle mass (sarcopenia). The cause of this phenomenon hasn't been identified, but one reason could be long-term consumption of ultra-processed cat food containing poor quality, inappropriate and hard-to-digest ingredients.
The quality of protein you feed your senior cat is of utmost importance. Highly digestible and assimilable protein, coupled with high moisture content, is the type of nutrition that causes the least amount of stress on your kitty's aging organs. If you can't feed fresh food (raw or gently cooked), second best is a dehydrated or freeze-dried balanced diet reconstituted with plenty of water or broth. Your cat's kidneys and liver can be further stressed as a result of chronic low-grade dehydration, so all foods served dry can pose a problem long term.
Moisture is an aging cat's best friend, so encourage yours to drink by offering a variety of glass, metal or food grade ceramic water bowls around the house or a drinking fountain, in addition to minimizing (or preferably eliminating) dry food.