Dr Marie Menniti - Miss Cats Team

Dr. Marie Menniti's Veterinary Advice

Diets that have a higher water content, such as canned foods and wet diets, are softer and easier to chew for old cats with poor teeth. They are also more tempting for cats with low appetites.

Canned diets are especially important for senior cats who may be more prone to dehydration as they age.

As your cat ages, her appetite and nutritional needs may vary. So check with your veterinarian for specialist advice on age-related health conditions. When it comes to feeding your senior kitty, here are some important things to know.

1) Choose a diet with a fat content of 10-25%

Fat makes a diet tastier, increases the energy density, and enhances the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, which is especially important for senior cats. The general recommendation for fat content in a senior cat diet is 10-25%, on a dry matter basis.

Cats that are prone to obesity should be given a diet that is at the lower end of that range.

2) Protein content is key

As a starting point, it is recommended that the chosen diet contain 30-45% protein, on a dry matter basis. Although, this can vary if your cat has a health condition.

Protein is needed to maintain muscle mass and immune function, and animal protein also tends to be quite tasty and will encourage cats with low appetites to eat. 

(Note: The nutrient value listed on your food label will most likely be given on an “as fed” basis. You can learn how to convert these values to dry matter basis here.)

3) Choose a diet with added antioxidants

An antioxidant blend containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium has been shown to improve cognitive ability in middle-aged to older cats. Look for these supplements or antioxidant-rich ingredients such as spinach, carrots or tomato. If you don’t see these ingredients, though, you shouldn’t add them to your cat’s diet without checking with a vet, as you may unbalance the diet.

4) Choose a diet with a low phosphorus content

In order to slow the progression of kidney disease, it is advisable to feed a low-phosphorus diet to senior cats. Choose a diet that has between 0.5 and 0.7% phosphorus, on a dry matter basis. The phosphorus content will not always be listed on food label, but you can ask the manufacturer for that information.

Finally, always consider your cat’s energy requirements

Your cat’s energy requirements will often go down in old age, leading some cats to gain weight. You’ll need to adjust their diet accordingly. Some elderly cats may not have as much of an appetite as they used to. In that case, you’ll want to look for an ‘energy dense’ diet- one that has more calories per cup.

What is the Best Wet Cat Food for Older Cats?

IMAGE RECOMMENDED PRODUCTSPRODUCT FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 91 kcal/can
  • Protein: 45%
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 176 kcal/5.5 oz can
  • Protein: 36%
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 95 kcal/can
  • Protein: 47%
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 96 kcal/can
  • Protein: 50%
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 146 kcal/can
  • Protein: 40%

Older Cat Wet Food Reviews

Purina Pro Plan Focus Classic Salmon & Tuna Wet Food For Older Cats

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Salmon
  2. Liver
  3. Water Sufficient for Processing
  4. Meat By-Products
  5. Fish
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 91 kcal/can
  • Lifestage: Senior
NUTRITION
Fat
27%
27%
Protein
45%
45%
Fiber
6.8%
6.8%
REVIEW

Purina Pro Plan Focus Classic Salmon & Tuna Wet Food For Older Cats Review

The Purina Pro Plan Focus Classic Salmon and Tuna Wet Food is a balanced meal that’s designed specifically for adult cats. It contains 45 percent protein and 27 percent fat – the optimum balance in line with Dr Marie’s veterinary advice. The high protein content helps keep your cat’s muscles strong and her immune system strong as she ages.

This formula is also fortified with more than 25 essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. These include vitamins C and E as well as taurine, all of which are essential for older cats.

This recipe is grain-free and is made with real salmon and tuna, which makes it easy to digest whilst being highly appealing for your cat. If you’re searching for the best canned cat food for older cats, this formula is definitely one worth considering.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Wet Food For Older Cats

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken
  2. Chicken Broth
  3. Chicken Liver
  4. Potatoes
  5. Pea Flour
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 176 kcal/5.5 oz can
  • Lifestage: Senior
NUTRITION
Fat
25%
25%
Protein
36%
36%
Fiber
9%
9%
REVIEW

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Wet Food For Older Cats Review

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Wet Food is a grain-free formula designed specifically for older cats. The base ingredient in this formula is fresh chicken, which is blended with fruits and vegetables and further fortified with vitamins and minerals. These include DHA and taurine, which keep your cat in optimum health as they age.

On a dry matter basis, this wet food contains 36 percent protein and 25 percent fat for the optimal energy density. It is free from corn, wheat, soy, by-products and artificial flavors, and has a smooth texture your senior cat will love.

Purina ONE Vibrant Chicken & Whitefish Wet Food For Older Cats

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken
  2. Liver
  3. Chicken broth
  4. Pork lungs
  5. Ocean whitefish
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 95 kcal/can
  • Lifestage: Senior
NUTRITION
Fat
22%
22%
Protein
47%
47%
Fiber
6.8%
6.8%
REVIEW

Purina ONE Vibrant Chicken & Whitefish Wet Food For Older Cats Review

The Purina One Vibrant Chicken and Whitefish Wet Food is a food designed specifically for cats over the age of 7. It has a dry matter balance of 47% protein and 22% fat for maintaining optimum energy levels and muscle mass. This formula contains no grains or filler ingredients that are often very high in calories.

This wet food contains real chicken and real whitefish. Not only are these ingredients very nutrient dense, but they also have a taste that’s very appealing for your cat. The formula is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals like vitamins E and C. It’s also a very moisture-rich cat food. This formula from Purina One is an excellent option for older cats that’s both tasty and nutritious.

Fancy Feast Chicken Feast Pate Canned Cat Food For Older Cats

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Chicken
  2. Fish
  3. Meat By-Products
  4. Liver
  5. Chicken Broth
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 96 kcal/can
  • Lifestage: Senior
NUTRITION
Fat
22%
22%
Protein
50%
50%
Fiber
6.8%
6.8%
REVIEW

Fancy Feast Chicken Feast Pate Canned Cat Food For Older Cats Review

The Fancy Feast Chicken Feast Pate is formulated specifically for older cats. It has an extremely high protein content, at 50 percent. A high protein content is great for older cats, because it helps to keep their muscles strong. It also has a relatively low percentage of fat, and 22 percent.

This cat food has a fresh chicken flavor and a smooth texture that cats like. It’s also fortified with essential nutrients to keep your cat healthy. These include vitamin E, which supports a healthy coat, as well as a blend of antioxidants and taurine for the immune system. If you’re on the hunt for the best wet food for older cats, this formula from Fancy Feast is one worth checking out.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Fish, Chicken & Turkey Cat Food For Older Cats

TOP 5 INGREDIENTS PRICE FEATURES
TOP 5 INGREDIENTS
  1. Ocean Fish
  2. Chicken Broth
  3. Turkey Broth
  4. Chicken
  5. Chicken Liver
PRICE
VIEW LATEST PRICE →
FEATURES
  • Type: Wet food
  • Calories: 146 kcal/can
  • Lifestage: Senior
NUTRITION
Fat
13%
13%
Protein
40%
40%
Fiber
11.4%
11.4%
REVIEW

Chicken Soup for the Soul Fish, Chicken & Turkey Cat Food For Older Cats Review

The Chicken Soup For The Soul Fish, Chicken, and Turkey Cat Food has a very low fat content, at just 13%. A low fat content can help prevent weight gain as your cat gets older. This formula is 40% protein and is fortified with key nutrients such as vitamin E, taurine, and DHA.

This pate is made from real chicken, which is blended with duck, turkey, and salmon for an extremely appetizing taste. It doesn’t contain any wheat, soy, corn, or artificial preservatives, and is low in calories. This is a healthy cat food for older cats that struggle with weight gain.