As cats age, their nutritional needs change, especially for older cats suffering from an illness such as dental disease. To maintain the health of a senior cat, feed it small amounts of the canned cat foods it prefers, choosing ones that contain ingredients designed for older cats. These soft, meat-based foods help your older cat stay at a reasonable weight and slow the aging process with rich proteins, added vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Palatability
As cats age, their sense of smell lessens, which leads to a decrease in appetite since the cat can no longer smell or taste its food as well, according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Soft, canned food has a stronger odor than dry cat food, which encourages your older cat to eat more. To increase the palatability of wet foods, heat the food in the microwave for five to 10 seconds. The heat enhances the aroma and taste of the food for your cat. Dental disease, common in older cats, causes your older cat pain when chewing. Cats with dental disease are able to eat soft, canned food because it requires little to no chewing.
Nutrition
When purchasing soft, canned or pouched food for senior cats, look for food nutritionally balanced for older animals. These foods contain a greater amount of vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C, antioxidants that help protect older cats from the effects of aging, according to the PetEducation.com website. Canned foods have more protein and calories than dry foods, which older cats require to retain weight. Some senior formula canned cat foods include extra omega-6 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin to help reduce inflammation and increase mobility in elderly cats with arthritis. Canned foods that follow the Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines contain complete nutrition for your senior cat. AAFCO works in conjunction with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate the safety, labeling and nutritional value of cat food ingredients.
Water Content
Geriatric cats suffer from many health conditions that contribute to dehydration, leading to decreased immunity and blood circulation, according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Because soft, canned cat food contains at least 75 percent water, it keeps older cats more hydrated, especially for those with mobility issues that drink less water than they should. Feeding senior cats a food high in water content prevents constipation, kidney stones and crystals in the cat's urine, and helps cats with kidney disease to avoid dehydration. Make soft, canned foods even more moisture-rich by adding low-sodium chicken broth to it.
Considerations
While most cats older than 7 need to maintain a high-calorie diet to retain weight, elderly cats can also suffer from obesity due to a decreased activity level as they age. To regulate the weight of your cat, feed it less or more of a high-quality canned food, free of by-products, according to its body type. Soft, canned food contains fewer carbohydrates than dry food, reducing the chance of causing obesity and diabetes. Feed your senior cat smaller meals throughout the day, putting any leftover food away if not eaten within 30 minutes to prevent spoilage. You can also feed canned food to your cat using a feeder on a timer with a compartment for dry ice that keeps the food cool and fresh during the day.
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