Like it or not, sooner or later your cat will enter the senior citizen’s category. Just like humans, a cat’s requirements and needs change with age. This also includes the type of nutrients they need in their food. Over a period, your cat’s taste buds will change as well, and you’ll notice that it no longer likes the food it used to devour when it was a young kitten. 

However, it’s not easy to know the age of a cat just by looking at it. Even if your cat looks young and energetic, it doesn’t mean it isn’t growing older.

By the time your cat turns 12 years old, you should ideally start thinking about making changes in its diet and nutrition. Just like humans, your cat will need different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to ensure that they live a healthy and happy life. 

We’re sure you have many questions regarding what changes you should make in your senior cat’s diet and why they’re required. Our team of experts has answered your questions and will help you in selecting suitable cat food for your furry friend. Continue reading to find out more.

Factors You Should Consider While Buying Cat Food for Older Cats

You will rarely find two cats that need the same diet for their development and growth. Moreover, as cats grow older, they may develop allergies or face various health issues. In such cases, the nutrients that one cat needs can differ from the nutrients required by another. However, there are some distinct factors you should keep in mind when selecting cat food for your old kitty.

Moisture content: Older cats often have face dental issues, such as loss of teeth or sensitivity. With age, the enamel on a cat’s teeth tends to wear off. After a certain time, it goes beyond repair and often results in tooth loss. For this very reason, it is crucial that you get cat food that is easy to consume and doesn’t exert too much pressure on your old cat’s teeth while chewing. Harder foods can cause discomfort and tooth pain in older cats. 

Nutrients and ingredients: As humans age, their ability to ingest and digest food isn’t as great as it used to be during their younger days. Similarly, some cats may face digestion issues when it comes to certain ingredients. This is because a cat’s stomach becomes sensitive to particular type of ingredients or food. Moreover, such sensitivities can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. Therefore, it is necessary to select cat food that is designed to take care of food sensitivities in cats.

Necessary vitamins and minerals: All types of cat foods are designed to provide cats with necessary minerals and vitamins, although the amount and type of each nutrient may vary with a cat’s age. For example, cat food for older cats has higher levels of many minerals and vitamins. Also, the variety of minerals and vitamins in one brand’s cat food may differ from other brands. Therefore, ensure you check the mineral and vitamin content carefully while looking for the best cat food for older cats.

What are Some Common Health Issues Faced by Aging Cats?

Here’s a list of health issues that may trouble your aging cat:

4 Best Cat Food Options for Older Cats

Before we go into the nitty-gritty of the top 4 cat food options for older cats on the market, let’s take a quick look at them.

PRODUCT	TYPE	PRICE
Revival Animal Health Doc Roy’s Forti Cal- High Calorie Nutritional Energy Supplement	Best Cat Food for Older Cats to Gain Weight	Check price
Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food	Best Cat Food for Older Cats with Hairballs	Check price
Hill’s Science Diet Canned Wet Cat Food	Best Cat Food for Older Cats with Bad Teeth	Check price
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Wet Cat Food Variety Pack	Best Cat Food for Older Cats That Frequently Throw Up	Check price

So, are you ready for the detailed product reviews? Let’s look at them one by one.

Revival Animal Health Doc Roy’s Forti Cal- High Calorie Nutritional Energy Supplement: Best Cat Food for Older Cats to Gain Weight

• SHIPPING WEIGHT

  15.2 ounces

• EXPERT SCORE

  8.5/10

While some cats tend to become chubbier with age, others may need a little help in maintaining their weight. Older cats become very picky about their food and only eat it if they like the smell and taste of their cat food. This is why they may need more calories to put on some weight or maintain it.

Moreover, since they’re picky eaters, getting your cat to have larger quantities of food is definitely not an option. What do you do in that case? 

The Doc Roy’s Forti Cal gel is a great alternative that assists your cat in putting on weight. It will provide your cat with essential ingredients to better their immunity and strength. As a matter of fact, many cat owners who have tried and used the Doc Roys’ Forti Cal gel for their cats have witnessed higher energy levels and weight gain in their cats. 

This cat food not only acts as a great source of energy but also stimulates your cat’s appetite. Therefore, at times, you may notice your cat getting hungry sooner than it used to before. Not only this but the tasty roast beef and liver flavored gel make your cat hungry for more! It also includes pork liver, fish oil, vegetable oil, and molasses. Our experts were pleased to find out that Doc Roy’s Forti Cal gel is also a great option for cats with allergies. 

It is recommended that you store the Doc Roy’s Forti Cal gel in the refrigerator upon opening. This will ensure that lasts longer. You can feed the gel to your cat by either mixing it with their cat food or having them lick a spoonful of the gel. The ideal serving is 1.5 teaspoons per 10 lbs of your cat’s body weight.

Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food: Best Cat Food for Older Cats With Hairballs

• PRODUCT DIMENSIONS

  5 x 2 x 4 inches

• AVAILABLE SIZES

  48 ounces and 112 ounces

• SHIPPING WEIGHT

  51.2 ounces

• EXPERT SCORE

  9.2/10

The Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball and Weight Control Cat Food is a dry food designed to take care of a common problem observed in ageing cats, i.e., hairballs. It has been produced with the finest ingredients, all of which are natural. It doesn’t, however, contain chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy or any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. 

The brand has ensured the right amount of protein and calories in this cat food for your cat to achieve an optimal weight. It contains chicken, brown rice and essential minerals and vitamins. If your cat has sensitive teeth, this cat food will not cause any discomfort. The cat food comprises small nuggets that can easily be crushed and are soft.

Hill’s Science Diet Canned Wet Cat Food: Best Cat Food for Older Cats With Bad Teeth

PRODUCT DIMENSIONS

14 x 10.4 x 3.1 inches

• AVAILABLE FLAVORS

  Savory Chicken, Savory Turkey

• SHIPPING WEIGHT

  150.4 ounces

• EXPERT SCORE

  8/10

The Hill’s Science Diet has been created based on scientific research. The brand aims to create cat food that extends a cat’s life. This particular product has been specifically designed for senior cats with bad teeth or those cats who suffer from dental issues. 

Since it is wet cat food, it is quite soft. The texture and feel of the food are smooth and it does not comprise any chunks or nuggets. It can easily be mashed into a smooth paste if at all you feel that your cat would prefer something softer to eat. 

In fact, it comes with some added benefits. Since the diet is well-balanced, it has been designed in a way that makes it easy to consume and digest. Not only this but the brand has also put efforts into making the cat food easy for other organs of the body to process it. “When the organs have less work to do, they can work longer,” says the brand.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Wet Cat Food Variety Pack: Best Cat Food for Older Cats That Frequently Throw Up

• PRODUCT DIMENSIONS

  7.88 x 3.13 x 5.44 inches

• SHIPPING WEIGHT

  2.9 ounces

• EXPERT SCORE

  8.1/10

Vomiting is a serious health issue in older cats. If you notice your cat throwing up quite often, it’s important to visit your vet as soon as possible. It can be an indication or a symptom of a critical health issue that may require immediate treatment.

The Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Wet Cat Food is easy to consume. Since it wet cat food, it requires minimum chewing. It is designed to be easy on the stomach, which means that your cat will feel less nauseous and giddy after consuming it.

This cat food contains Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids that are good for the nourishment of your cat’s coat and skin. It has clinically proven antioxidant benefits as well. Our team of experts was pleased to find that the Hill’s Science Diet Cat Food does not contain any artificial additives, such as artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. It comprises rice and eggs to provide older cats with proteins it needs to be healthy and fit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cat Food for Older Cats