What to feed an older cat?
Contents
Signs of aging
The body of a cat of seven years and older is going through quite natural changes: her eyesight and hearing are gradually falling, her sense of smell is lost. Immunity is also reduced, and in general the body becomes more susceptible to diseases.
Internal transformations affect the appearance of the cat and its behavior: the animal’s coat grows dull, gray hair appears, the pet loses mobility, the condition of its teeth worsens, up to their loss. Digestion takes place without the previous intensity, the weight of the cat decreases. In addition, the risk of developing serious diseases, in particular kidney failure, increases.
However, the owner has every opportunity to maintain the quality of life of the cat at a high level.
Correct diet
In order for the animal to continue to be happy and meet old age with dignity, the owner must provide its three key needs:
- The first is good health. A cat whose ability to digest food is reduced should receive easily digestible a balance of proteins and fats and high levels of antioxidants.
- The second is the amount of energy coming from food. Aging cats should not be switched to low-calorie foods, because the energy needs of the pet remain at a stable level.
- The third is a good appetite. It is no secret that older animals often lose interest in food, so they need diets with high palatability. It is also important to note that their texture should be literally too tough for a cat – a pet may not be able to handle too solid food.
October 19 2017
Updated: July 24, 2018
