Are you wondering what’s the best cat food for older cats? Our cat food product reviews will help you to make the best choice for your senior cat with arthritis.
Cats are living longer and longer, sometimes up to 25 years, and as they age their nutritional and dietary needs change. Older cats often have chronic health problems including feline arthritis, and the right food specially designed for older cats, can help to maintain their mobility and quality of life.
Cats usually start to show aging signs between the age of 7 and 10 and nearly all have some signs by age 12.
Cats can gain weight as they age as they become less active and spend more time indoors. Overweight cats have similar risk factors to those found in dogs, however cats can also be underweight and lose muscle tone as they age. So referring to the feeding guide provided with your cat’s food is important.
Tips for moving your cat to their new arthritis diet
Sometimes changing your pets diet can result in upset tummies so it’s best to introduce a new diet over 7 days by mixing the old and new food together, slowly reducing the proportion of the old food. For very senior cats this may be best done over 10 days or longer. While cats don’t tend to drink as much as dogs, keeping them properly hydrated is important and helps to prevent kidney issues. Therefore your cat should always have access to fresh water.
For best food safety, always cover and refrigerate any uncovered canned food between your cats meals.
Top 3 Foods for Older Cats with Arthritis
Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Aging 12+ for Joint Health
Produced with the right balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, this canned food works well when partnered with dry food.
Pros
- Formulated for cats over 12 years
- Supports healthy joint function with high levels of the essential fatty acids, EPA & DHA found in fish oils
- Has low levels of phosphorous to reduce stress on older cats kidney
- Meets the nutritional levels set by the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
- Wet food formula may be more palatable for some cats and easier to eat for cats with teeth and gum problems.
Cons
- Wet food formula can be more messy at meal times
- Not as good for keeping your cats teeth clean as dry food
How much should I feed my older cat?
One 3oz can contains 75 kilocalories. Recommended Daily Feeding Portion-Thin Slices.
| Weight | Low Activity | Medium Activity | High Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 lb (3 kg) | 1 3/4 cans (144 g) | 2 1/8 cans (180 g) | 2 1/2 cans (216 g) |
| 8.8 lb (4 kg) | 2 1/8 cans (177 g) | 2 5/8 cans (221 g) | 3 1/8 cans (265 g) |
| 11.0 lb (5 kg) | 2 3/8 cans (207 g) | 3 cans (259 g) | 3 5/8 cans (311 g) |
| 13.2 lb (6 kg) | 2 3/4 cans (236 g) | 3 1/2 cans (295 g) | 4 1/8 cans (354 g) |
| 15.4 lb (7 kg) | 3 1/8 cans (263 g) | 4 cans (329 g) | 4 5/8 cans (395 g) |
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Feline Mobility Dry Food
Pros
- Clinically proven to improve mobility in 28 days
- Helps avoid extra stress on joints by maintaining a healthy weight through controlled calories
- Supports immune system health
- Joint cartilage support with therapeutic levels of Omega 3 fatty acids
- Contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Added L-carnitine
- Contains antioxidants
Cons
- Dry food formula may be less palatable for some cats
- Can be harder on teeth and gums for cats with dental problems
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How much should I feed my senior cat?
For Adult maintenance the following feeding guidelines are recommended by the manufacturer.
| Weight of Cat | Amount per Day |
|---|---|
| 6 lb (2,7 kg) | 1/3 cup (40 g) |
| 8 lb (3,6 kg) | 3/8 cup (45 g) |
| 10 lb (4,5 kg) | 1/2 cup (65 g) |
| 12 lb (5,4 kg) | 5/8 cup (80 g) |
| 14 lb (6,4 kg) | 2/3 cup (85 g) |
| 16 lb (7,3 kg) | 3/4 cup (95 g) |
| 18 lb (8,2 kg) | 3/4 cup (95 g) |
Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d Feline Mobility Canned Food
Hill’s Prescription Diet™ j/d™ Feline is clinically proven to improve your cat’s mobility in as little as 28 days while providing all the nutrition your cat needs in a complete and balanced food.
Pros
- Helps cats to be more active
- Contains cartilage preserving Omega-3 fatty acids
- Helps to maintain kidney health with high level of Omega-3 and controlled phosphorous
- Burns fat while maintaining muscle with high L-carnitine levels
- Helps control calories and maintain a healthy weight, preventing undue joint stress
- Supports a healthy immune system with antioxidants
Cons
- Wet foods can have a stronger odor than dry foods and can sometimes be more messy during meals, depending on your cats manners
- Drier foods can help to maintain dental hygiene in cats
How many cans do I need?
Adult maintenance diet guidelines – using a 5.5 oz (156 g) can.
| Weight of Cat | Amount per Day |
|---|---|
| 6 lb (2,7 kg) | 1 - 1 1/3 can |
| 10 lb (4,5 kg) | 1 1/2 - 2 can |
| 14 lb (6,4 kg) | 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 can |
| 18 lb (8,2 kg) | 2 1/4 - 3 can |
So if you are looking to buy the best food for older cats with arthritis we suggest you try one of the above products that have been formulated to provide complete nutrition with joint support for older cats that have specific dietary needs. The right diet can help your kitty to live as well as possible as they enter their senior years in spite of having chronic health conditions such as feline arthritis.
