3 best cat food for senior cats

Feeding senior cats requires special consideration to address their changing nutritional needs and potential health issues. Here are some key points about cat food for senior cats, particularly dry cat food:

Reduced Calorie Content:
- Senior cats are generally less active than younger cats, so their calorie needs may decrease. Specialized senior cat food often has a reduced calorie content to help prevent obesity and maintain a healthy weight.
Protein Quality:
- High-quality protein is essential for senior cats to support muscle maintenance and prevent muscle loss. Look for cat foods with easily digestible protein sources, such as chicken or fish.
Joint Health Ingredients:
- Some senior cat foods contain added ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, which can support joint health. These components may be beneficial for older cats that may experience joint stiffness or arthritis.
Fiber for Digestive Health:
- Senior cats may be prone to constipation, so cat foods with added fiber can promote digestive health.Fiber helps regulate bowel movements and can be beneficial for cats with sensitive digestive systems.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
- Omega-3 fatty acids, often sourced from fish oil, can support senior cats' cognitive function and promote healthy skin and coat. These fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory properties and can be particularly beneficial for aging cats.
Limited Phosphorus:
- For senior cats with kidney issues, it's essential to monitor phosphorus levels in their diet. Some senior cat foods are formulated with reduced phosphorus content to support kidney function.
Digestive Support:
- Some senior cat foods include prebiotics and probiotics to support a healthy digestive system. These ingredients can aid in nutrient absorption and promote a balanced gut microbiome.
Dental Health:
- Dental issues can become more prevalent in senior cats. Some dry cat foods are designed with kibble shapes and textures that help reduce tartar and plaque buildup, promoting dental health.
Palatability:
- Senior cats may have changes in taste preferences or dental issues that affect their ability to chew. Choosing a cat food with palatable flavors and suitable kibble size can encourage older cats to eat.
Regular Veterinary Check-ups:
- While choosing an appropriate senior cat food is crucial, it's essential to consult with your veterinarian regularly. They can provide guidance based on your cat's specific health needs and make adjustments to the diet if necessary.

When transitioning your cat to a new diet, it's recommended to do so gradually to minimize digestive upset. Monitoring your senior cat's weight, activity level, and overall well-being is important, and adjustments to their diet may be needed over time.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best cat food for senior cats on the market

Purina Pro Plan Senior Pate Wet Cat Food, FOCUS Salmon & Tuna Entree - (24) 3 oz. Pull-Top Cans

Pro Plan

Based on 866 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Help to meet the changing needs of your cat as she gets older with Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Salmon & Tuna Entree Adult 11+ wet cat food. This formula features real salmon and tuna, along with other high-quality ingredients you can feel confident serving to your cat. Every ingredient is carefully chosen for a specific purpose to give you added peace of mind. This wet cat food is specially formulated to meet the needs of cats ages 11 and over, providing the extra-care nutrition your favorite feline needs to maintain her healthy, active life. Each serving provides 25 essential vitamins and minerals plus taurine, an amino acid, to help support her overall health and wellness. She gets the taste and texture she adores, and you get the comfort that comes from knowing she's getting a meal that gives her complete and balanced nutrition for adult cats in every tasty bowlful. For a delicious meal you can count on time and time again, order this Purina Pro Plan FOCUS recipe now.

Twenty-Four (24) 3 oz. Pull-Top Cans - Purina Pro Plan Senior Pate Wet Cat Food; FOCUS Salmon & Tuna Entree
Made with real salmon and tuna
Specially formulated to meet the needs of cats age 11+
Helps support her healthy skin and coat
Provides essential nutrients to support a healthy immune system

User questions & answers

Question:	Could this be considered a low carb food
Answer:	If they did I'm not aware of it. The food I purchase is still the same orange brown and black packaging.
Question:	How many cans are included? Quantity is not indicated
Answer:	That’s why you get the naturals. You have to be really cautious with the kitty food, but I use the naturals. He loves it and prefers it over wet food
Question:	What is the percent of protein
Answer:	Great question! This recipe contains a golden brown ¼" hard/dry extruded kibble, a clover shaped kibble and a bean shaped kibble made with real chicken & rice. - The Pro Plan Team
Question:	Can you tell me the phosphorus and protein content? Thank you. (for kidney support
Answer:	While we are not able to share the protein amounts broken out by animal sources vs. other sources, we are happy to share that our Pro Plan Kitten FOCUS Chicken & Rice Formula has an as-fed protein value of 41.0% - The Purina Pro Plan Team

Product features

Pro Plan Offers the World's Most Advanced Nutrition for Your Cat's Best Life

Our goal is to make your pet's life the best possible through the power of extraordinary nutrition. That's why we're proud to offer a full spectrum of 100+ dry and wet cat food formulas to support specific health needs, including skin and stomach sensitivity, urinary tract health, weight management and healthy aging. With formulas for every life stage, we provide the 100% complete and balanced nutrition cats needs with tastes and textures they love. We craft our tender pate and crunchy kibble with purposeful, high-quality ingredients, including real poultry, meat or fish. Each formula is produced in Purina-owned U.S. facilities and checked for quality and safety, giving you confidence that you're nourishing your cat's potential.

Specialized Formulas to Support Your Cat's Unique Needs & Preferences

Pro Plan offers science-based nutrition designed to meet your cat's unique traits and preferences. Our advanced formulas support urinary tract health, weight management, healthy aging and more, providing the targeted nutrition your cat needs to thrive.

Targeted Nutrition for Every Life Stage

Whether you have a kitten, adult or senior cat, Pro Plan provides extraordinary nutrition with exceptional taste for specific needs. We deliver the 100% complete and balanced nutrition cats need to be their best.

Real Meat, Poultry or Fish in Every Formula

Our formulas are made with real meat, poultry or fish, providing high-quality protein and exceptional taste. Every ingredient is carefully chosen for a specific purpose and formulated to provide the nutrition cats needs with the flavors and textures they love.

Crafted in Purina-Owned, U.S. Facilities

You can trust Pro Plan since our formulas are proudly manufactured at Purina-owned facilities in the United States. All food undergoes rigorous checks during production to ensure the quality and safety that your cat deserves.

Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult 11+ for Senior Cats, Indoor, Chicken Recipe

Hill's Science Diet

Based on 1 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Your may have an older cat, the need for love and interaction doesn't change. Hill's Science Diet Indoor Adult 11+ dry cat food is specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of cats with an indoor lifestyle during their golden years. This mature cat food made from natural ingredients contains optimal levels of nutrients for eyesight, heart health, kidney health and joint health. Natural fibers and easy-to-digest ingredients are used to help an older cat's digestion, and support easier litter box clean up. There’s more to love with the new look of Science Diet. Some of our products also have new names, new kibble shapes & new formulas.

From the Manufacturer

Hill’s Pet Nutrition’s Mission: To help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets.

More than 220 veterinarians, food scientists, technicians and Ph.D. nutritionists at Hill's develop all of Hill's pet foods to meet the needs of your pets. Hill’s only accepts ingredients from suppliers whose facilities meet stringent quality standards and who are approved by Hill's. Not only is each ingredient examined to ensure its safety, we also analyze each product's ingredient profile for essential nutrients to ensure your pet gets the stringent, precise formulation they need.

Hill’s uses only high-quality ingredients including real chicken, lamb or salmon protein. Hill’s dry pet foods have quality protein as the first ingredient and provide clinically proven antioxidant benefits. Plus, they’re made with natural ingredients (plus vitamins, minerals & amino acids) and never contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or chicken by-product meal.

Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program donates food to shelters across the country, providing the proper nutrition that helps pets find their way to loving homes. With every purchase of Science Diet you help feed over 100,000 homeless pets every day, 365 days a year.

Specially formulated to fuel the energy needs of senior cats with an indoor lifestyle
Dry cat food with natural fibers to promote improved digestion and litter box cleaning for your older cat
Provides your mature cat with optimal levels of nutrients for eye, heart, kidney & joint health
▸Change up meal time with our tasty Hill's Science Diet Adult 11+ Healthy Cuisine Seared Tuna & Carrot Medley
Made with natural ingredients
Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
#1 Veterinarian Recommended

User questions & answers

Question:	Is the food fresh? I don't want older or expired food
Answer:	No. Engineered, Designed, Tested, Manufactured and Shipped from right here in the USA.
Question:	Is there any difference between the Regular Age Defying and the Indoor Age Defying food? Thank you
Answer:	Yes. 3 slot is long enough
Question:	Is this food softer than most dry food
Answer:	It is designed to work on the buttstock end sling swivel stud. However, UTG makes a adapter for your rail, as I am sure many others do. The adapter only brings the monopod length an extra 1/2in or so.
Question:	what is the calorie content
Answer:	The P3 ultimate Monopod fits on a sling swivel stud so if you can install a sling stud in the middle of the lower stock it should work.

Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult 11+ for Senior Cats, Chicken Recipe

Hill's Science Diet

Based on 2 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Your cat may be getting older, the need for love and interaction doesn't change. That's why Hill's Science Diet Adult 11+ dry cat food supports healthy aging during the golden years. This mature cat food made with natural ingredients contains a special blend to help keep older cats agile and more alert, along with vitamin E, omega-3s and omega-6s to support healthy skin and fur. Natural fibers and easy-to-digest ingredients are used to help cats with sensitive stomachs, and balanced minerals promote bladder and kidney health in your older cat. This premium cat food also is a great source of taurine – an essential component for feline heart health. There’s more to love with the new look of Science Diet. Some of our products also have new names, new kibble shapes & new formulas.

Feeding Guide:

Weight of Cat - lbs (kgs)	Amount per Day - cups (grams)
4 (1,8)	1/3 (40)
6 (2,7)	1/2 (65)
8 (3,6)	5/8 (80)
10 (4,5)	2/3 (85)
12 (5,4)	3/4 (95)
14 (6,4)	7/8 (110)
16 (7,3)	1 (125)

From the Manufacturer

Provides cats 11 and older with taurine for heart health, and balanced minerals for bladder & kidney health
Supports healthy skin and coat with vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
An easily digestible dry cat food with natural fibers to support a mature cat's sensitive stomach
Made with natural ingredients
Mix up meal time with Hill's Science Diet Adult 11+ Healthy Cuisine Seared Tuna & Carrot Medley
Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
#1 Veterinarian Recommended

User questions & answers

Question:	Is this the pellet style little round ones? My cat ate those but did not eat the triangle style ones! Probably a different flavor
Answer:	Thank you for your question. Hill's® Science Diet® Adult Oral Care cat food has a phosphorus content of 0.66% on a dry matter basis and a sodium content of 0.39% on a dry matter basis. We hope this helps! Hill's Pet Nutrition.
Question:	Will someone check the label to see if this cat food contains barley, wheat, or oats (no view of label at Amazon)? We need a gluten-free product. Thanks
Answer:	Thank you for your inquiry. Our Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight dry cat food contains 40.2% protein on a dry matter. We would encourage you to speak to your vet to ensure this is the appropriate formula for your cat's needs. Hill's Pet Nutrition
Question:	Does anyone know if they sell a cat food that is soft but is not can food? i have a very picky senior cat that has bad teeth and will not eat can food
Answer:	Thank you for your review. While we strive to create foods which will be palatable and acceptable to all pets, we recognize that not every product will match every pet's preferences. We offer a 100% guarantee on our products; please contact Amazon if you would like to return this purchase. Hill's Pet Nutrition
Question:	Is the cat food soft my cat has a hard time with hard dry food
Answer:	T/D is the 'Prescription Diet' line and is an oral care food but sold by veterinarians. The 'Science Diet' line oral care is slightly different in ingredients an less expensive. They both have the same intended purpose.