Best Cat Food for
Older Cats
So you have a cat who is getting up there in age. You might be surprised to know that once your cat reaches 7 years of age, she or he is considered a senior. This is according to standards established by the American Veterinary Association. Meanwhile, the average life expectancy of an indoor cat is between 13 to 17 years, but they can live to be up to 20!
In regards to the best senior cat food, there is no perfectly designated ‘seniors’ diet. This is because the essential needs don’t differ much from what an adult cat needs. And secondly, any specific needs vary by cat. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to confirm your senior cat’s nutrition needs with your vet.
The Best Food for Older Cats 2021
Best dry food for senior cats
With real chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe is packed with high-quality animal protein that’ll give your senior cat efficient energy to develop lean muscles and bone structures. The low fat content caters to a less active senior lifestyle.
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken meal
- Pea protein
- Whole brown rice
- Chicken fat
The delicious, crunchy kibble helps maintain oral hygiene. It’ll also lure in your feline friend for 100% balanced nutrition free of GMOs, corn, wheat, soy protein, chicken by-product meal, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Other nutrients in the bag include: taurine for strong heart and eyes, omega fatty acids for lustrous skin and coat, and vitamins and minerals for robust immune and digestive systems.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 36.0%
- Crude fat (min): 17.0%
- Crude fiber (max): 6.0%
- Moisture (max): 10.0%
Runner Up
Made in the USA, this pack actually contains more protein and less fat than the Nutro recipe above, but we relegate it to the second best choice because the Bistro-inspired flavor doesn’t fare well among picky eaters according to the customer reviews. Regardless, the nutritional value of this recipe is without question.
First 5 ingredients:
- Deboned chicken
- Chicken meal
- Turkey meal
- Dried potato
- Peas
This meal features 70% animal protein and wholesome fiber-rich produce like peas, sweet potatoes, and organic alfalfa that help with gentle digestion. It has zero grains, gluten, by-product meats, wheat, corn, soy, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives to ensure the cleanest nutrition possible. It’s fortified with taurine, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids for healthy heart, eyes, skin, coat, and immune function.
Most notably, this recipe features yucca schidigera, which is a Native American herbal medicine for arthritis. If your senior cat is experiencing some joint inflammation, this could help alleviate a bit. If not, just know that research has shown that yucca schidigera can reduce waste odor by 26%.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 38.5%
- Crude fat (min): 12.0%
- Crude fiber (max): 7.5%
- Moisture (max): 11.0%
Best wet food for senior cats
Go with wet food for urinary health. In particular, we recommend this nutrient-dense can with real chicken as the first ingredient.
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken broth
- Chicken liver
- Potatoes
- Pea flour
It has a smooth pate texture that is super popular among finicky felines, so give it a try if palatability is high on your list.
The hearty can is full of healthy fruits, veggies, vitamins, minerals, and taurine and contains absolutely no grain, gluten, by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives. It also has a significant DHA profile to give your cat an extra boost in cognitive functioning and heart health.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 8.0%
- Crude fat (min): 5.5%
- Crude fiber (max): 2.0%
- Moisture (max): 78.0%
Runner Up
Is your cat having some issues with her joints? The recipe includes chondroitin, which helps with moisture retention in cartilages for enhanced elasticity, and glucosamine, which helps with bone joint lubrication. Get this can to bank in some joint mobility points.
First 5 ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken liver
- Chicken broth
- Water
- Brown rice
If your cat is in fine health, she’ll still benefit from this wholesome choice packed with real chicken protein, fruits, veggies, vitamins, and minerals. The savory can full of smooth gravy is completely free of by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives, so make sure to give it a try – it never hurts to get hooked on delicious, clean nutrition.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 8.5%
- Crude fat (min): 4.5%
- Crude fiber (max): 1.5%
- Moisture (max): 78.0%
Best budget
Looking for something affordable but of decent quality? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve advised before that chicken is the premium protein source for cats. However, if that’s out of your budget, you can look to other animal proteins of similar nutritional value based on the feline ancestral dietary profile.
First ingredients:
- Beef
- Fish
- Meat by-products
- Liver
- Beef broth
This can is full of animal proteins, mostly from beef and fish, and can help support muscle tone and bone structure. It’s also fortified with antioxidants, vitamin E, and taurine to take care of skin, coat, and heart health. The delicate texture ensures that every bite is gentle, palatable, and easily digestible for your senior cat.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 11.5%
- Crude fat (min): 5.0%
- Crude fiber (max): 1.5%
- Moisture (max): 78.0%
Best cat food for older cats with sensitive stomach
Does your senior cat have a sensitive stomach? Then you must try this Paleolithic recipe that’s mostly pure meat with no added carbs, grains, corn, soy, plant fillers, artificial colors, or preservatives.
First ingredients:
- Brown Rice,
- Corn Gluten Meal,
- Pork Fat,
- Ocean Fish,
- Cracked Pearled Barley.
This can contains 98% of its protein from real rabbit meat – which has a gentle flavour and lean texture that entices picky cats. The fact that wild cats do hunt rabbits makes this can a healthy choice that fits the natural feline diet plan. This meal is fortified with vitamins and minerals for a robust immune system.
Nutritional info:
- Crude protein (min): 11.0%
- Crude fat (min): 7.0%
- Crude fiber (max): 1.0%
- Moisture (max): 78.0%
Best cat food for older cats with kidney problems
A combination of beef broth, grass-fed beef, and the slow-release energy of pumpkin and sweet potato gives this formula from Weruva a unique advantage: it’s low phosphorus, low fat, and low protein, while still containing real whole meat ingredients.
First ingredients:
- Beef Broth,
- Beef, Pumpkin,
- Sweet Potato,
- Potato Starch.
The broth-based gravy also makes it much more appealing to picky eaters than many of the formulas on this list.
(Product requires authorization from a veterinarian).
What are owners saying?
Owners appreciated the balance between protein and phosphorus levels offered by Weruva, making it a good choice for cats who don’t quite need a prescription KD diet. One reviewer commented that “the cans are not fully filled, some are about 80% full” suggesting that value for money may be a question. Overall, however, the Weruva Truluxe Steak Frites gets a rating of 4.2 from over 110 owners.
Nutritional info:
- Protein: 10%
- Fat: 1.3%
Here are some essential considerations when deciding on the best cat food for older felines. Because let’s face it – there are an overwhelming number of options. We’re here to ease your decision-making process.
While this seems like an information overload, it’s much easier to narrow down food options once you know your cat’s specific needs. Then you can browse the top options we have found for you below with more ease!