Choosing dry food for older cats

Pets over the age of eight need special care. In the body of older cats, metabolism is slow; therefore, you should be extremely careful when choosing dry food for them.

As they get older, cats become less physically active, spending more time sleeping and eating. Based on this, you should make a diet with a low calorie content. If dry food predominates in the diet (it is permissible if the pet does not have dental and oral cavity diseases), then the amount of water should be chosen 3/1. If the animal eats a little, it is recommended to soak the food with water and warm it up a little - this way the cat will better smell... Older cats have a weakened sense of smell, so it is recommended to feed them canned food or combine the food with fish juice. As pets get older, it is not uncommon for them to suffer from urinary disease, so the best option is to remove foods rich in magnesium and phosphorus from their diet.

In addition, it is worth maintaining the balance of vitamins, because, for example, an excess of vitamins A and D causes irreversible changes, shortening the life of a cat. In addition, you need to make sure that the cat drank enough water, since its lack in the body is fraught with constipation, kidney and heart problems, unsightly hair and skin... In order not to resort to violent measures, you can put a container with a large size of water, add anchovy, tuna or catnip juice to it, give it a prebiotic drink for cats, or simply fill a bowl with fragrant broth.

The diet of animals with heart disease should be freed from sodium foods and replaced with sources of taurine. And with diseased kidneys, it is recommended to base the diet on an easily digestible protein. Almost every manufacturer develops food adapted for old cats, but veterinarians advise paying attention first of all to the holistic and super-premium lines. Their composition is replete with trace elements, vegetables, fruits and herbs. It is undesirable to give preference to economy class, since such food can cause additional health problems. The super-premium class, as a rule, is characterized by high-quality raw materials, and the holistic class is characterized by a low cereal content and a maximum concentration of vitamins and meat. Also, do not forget that the transition from one type of food to another should be carried out smoothly, within 5-8 days, otherwise the animal may experience stress.

After doing a little analysis of dry food for aging pets, a rating was obtained the best companies.

This brand appeared in 1967 in France thanks to the veterinarian Jean Cathary. Continuously evolving, it has been ranked among the premium class. For older, but active cats, the company offers Royal Canin Outdoor Mature food. DRoyal Canin Indoor 7+ is designed for sedentary individuals. And for very old pets, Royal Canin Aging +12 is suitable.

Another well-known premium brand of pet food developed by veterinarian Mark Morris. The peculiarity of this product is that at a low salt concentration it retains its nutritional value and good taste.

An American company with a history spanning almost two centuries.

The composition of the products contains substances that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cat's brain.

The brand was created in 1969. The highlight of the product is that the protein for its production is taken from animals: chickens, lambs, and also from fish. The polyunsaturated fatty acids included in the feed help maintain the skin and hair of the animal, and prebiotics stabilize the intestinal microflora.

A manufacturer that has been delighting with its products since 1996. If the cat is over seven years old, the SENIOR food is perfect for her, which contains antioxidants and elements that strengthen the joints and immunity of the animal.

This Italian brand has been around for over forty years. For aging pets, the company produces an elite food Farmina CIMIAO SENIOR. In addition to the standard components, the product contains the necessary amount of fiber and substances to maintain health: green tea and grape seed extract.

For tips on choosing food for older cats, see the video below.