For elderly cats or pets with arthritis or any other mobility problem; To cats that like to push the bowls over when eating; For feeding two small sized cats; x The unit may not be suitable: To feed big cat breeds (weighing over 15 lbs) To use one bowl as a water bowl if you don’t want to refill it Some older cats need a calm and safe space to eat their food. Weight loss can be an early sign of illness, so check with your vet. Throughout its life, it is a good idea to weigh your cat every one to two months. Feeding your cat can be easily accomplished with mealtimes on a set schedule. Increase your senior cat’s water intake by providing canned food and more options for drinking water.
And with our cats living longer than ever, finding the best nutritionally formulated food for senior cats is even more important. The best foods for older cats tend to have the following: High Antioxidant Levels Add more water stations around the house with plenty of bowls and/or pet water fountains to entice your senior cat to drink more. Older cats will also need to have a slightly adjusted diet, as well as pregnant mothers and cats that are obese or overweight. The Nutritional Needs of Older Cats. This is especially true the older a cat gets. Proper nutrition can add years to a cat's life and slow down the progression of many diseases. Elderly cats (12+) may need a little extra help as they age, but older cats often make fantastic companions who love to spend much of their time enjoying your company at home.
Felix has a range just for senior cats. Older cats are more likely to be suffering from pain (eg arthritis, dental disease) and many have chronic (long term) diseases all of which can suppress appetite. Feeding Your Senior Cat: The Basics Although many older cats are put on a lower-protein diet , there really isn’t any research to prove that the nutritional needs of healthy senior cats are any different from those of younger adult cats, says Kathryn Michel, DVM, associate professor of nutrition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. First, aging is unavoidable. If you keep your cat lean, that’s going to keep it healthier longer. Taking care of an underweight older cat can be a difficult and trying experience. Pregnant cats and mum feeding kittens. Give your pregnant cat unlimited access to kitten food, as well as a supply of fresh drinking water. Cats are picky eaters in general, exhibiting much more demanding behavior towards their owners than dogs do. As a rule, we think of cats above the age of 10 as older, and at that point serious age-related medical issues could affect them. Feed the cat in a calm area. Figuring out what to feed an older cat to gain weight can be difficult for even the most seasoned owner. Qualities of a Good Senior Cat Food.
It’s like Willard Scott on “The Today Show.” There are lots of people celebrating their cat’s 20th birthday. We’re Feeding Cats Wrong — Ditch the Cat Food Bowls and Change the Schedules. If you have a household full of cats and your older cat is not getting enough calories, try feeding it in a separate space away from the other cats. Giving a senior cat this safe space will allow it to have the time to eat what it needs. Routines help your cat adjust to changes that may occur in … Figuring out what to feed an older cat to gain weight can be difficult for even the most seasoned owner. If weight is steadily increasing after 12 months of age, you need to start reducing your cat’s food. In fact, many people choose to adopt older cats because they spend less time roaming and more time closer to home. It is also possible that your cat is not consuming enough protein. Cats suffering from terminal illnesses are o ften suffering from many of these factors - stress, depression, pain, nausea and the effects of drugs we've already considered. At least two meals per day are best for your cat. Adult cats require two to three times more protein in their diet than adults of omnivorous species. Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine brings up two important points when it comes to cats older than seven years of age.
Feeding cats twice a day from cat food bowls alongside other pets may cause behavioral issues. Cats are masters at hiding their pain. A senior cat may start to become less active, spend more time indoors and have a slower metabolism.These can all add up to them putting on weight. If you’ve got a pregnant cat or a cat that is feeding her new kittens, you’ll need to provide additional nutrients and the same high-protein kitten food as weaned kittens.
Feeding an appropriate cat food can maximize your senior cat’s health and longevity. Secondly, diet can sometimes be used to prevent disease and maintain a certain level of health. Cats are picky eaters in general, exhibiting much more demanding behavior towards their owners than dogs do. If your cat has special nutritional needs, or you are concerned about their diet, make an appointment to chat this over with your vet. Know and Keep an Eye Out for the Subtle Signs of Pain in Cats. 3. The article, “Optimal Nutrition for Older Cats,” had a lot to say about what it called the “senior diet dilemma.” For this paper it surveyed 27 commercial diets marketed for older cats, ultimately finding that the calories, protein, fat, sodium and phosphorus content varied widely among formulations.