How to make cat food for senior cats? Cat food for senior cats is not the same as that used for adult cats. The most important difference is energy density, which means that senior cat food contains fewer calories per cup than regular kibble.
While the primary focus is on older cats, these foods can also be fed to younger cats if they are overweight or have a chronic health condition such as heart disease or kidney disease, often a factor in weight loss.
The most important thing you should look for in senior cat food is calorie content, as this will affect your cat’s overall health and longevity. It is not enough to check the ‘senior’ designation on the label; you must read what they mean by ‘senior.’ This will be in the form of either age or weight or both.
You’ll find that most foods designed for senior cats are pretty low in protein, with just between 22 and 24 percent. Most adult cat foods have a protein content of around 30 to 36 percent, so you’re looking at quite the decrease.
Check the ingredients list for foods that contain more fiber and fewer starches, such as brewer’s rice. This is a lower-quality form of rice that has been leftover from the process of beer production. It is not digestible and passes right through your cat’s system without providing any nutrients or calories.
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How to make cat food for senior cats?
Although many senior cat food formulas are formulated with health considerations in mind, they can’t possibly include everything your senior cat needs. Supplementation is critical after the age of 7 for most cats. You’ll also need to make some dietary adjustments:
- Make sure you feed her at least three small meals a day and avoid free-feeding. This will help keep her metabolism healthy.
- Supplement with a multivitamin that includes vitamin B, E, and A. You can also supplement daily with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Add taurine to your cat’s diet. This critical amino acid is usually found in meat, but it is sometimes added to commercial foods. If not, your cat needs to get her taurine from another source (such as supplements or fresh meat).
- Increase the amount of protein she is getting. Older cats need more moisture in their diet, so try moistening kibble with some water or adding some warm broth. This will boost the flavor and texture, making it tastier for your cat.
- Supplement with some canned food, which has higher moisture content and is easier to chew. Canned food is also richer in protein and fat, so it’s better for your senior kitty than dry food.
Use the following recipes to make your home-cooked meals and supplements:
Recipe 1: Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
This is a great basic recipe for senior cats, but you can add some meaty bits of cooked chicken to give it more flavor. You can use leftover roasted or poached chicken from dinner as long as it includes the skin and bones. Be sure to remove any bits of bone!
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult 11+ for Senior Cats, Chicken Recipe
You can use either white or brown rice, but brown rice has more fiber and B vitamins. It is also preferable if your cat has diabetes because it does not contain as much carbohydrate as white rice.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3
Ingredients:
● 1/2 cup (100 g) brown or white rice
● 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
● 3 cups (710 ml) water
● 3/4 cup (180 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
Preparation:
1. In a medium pot, bring rice and water to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until the liquid is completely absorbed. Remove from heat and cool before using in cat food.
2. In a separate pot, bring broth to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and add rice.
3. Mix well, reduce heat to very low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.
4. Let cool before using in cat food recipes—yields about 3 1/2 cups (830 g).
Nutrition Facts of this recipe
- Calories: 40 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Sodium: 12 mg
Recipe 2: Tuna and Potato Recipe
Although most cats are not big fans of canned tuna, they may be more receptive to it if you mix in some cooked ground beef or lean chicken. If your cat is used to having her food moistened with broth, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) warm broth when mixing tuna and potatoes.
Ingredients:
● 3/4 cup (95 g) cooked, ground meat (beef or chicken)
● 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
● 1/2 cup (130 g) canned tuna, packed in water, no salt added
● 1/4-1/3 cup (60-75 ml) water or broth
● 1/4 cup (60 g) canned, diced tomatoes
● 3/4 cup (105 g) cooked potatoes, cooled
Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Natural Mature Dry Cat Food for Senior Cats, Chicken & Brown Rice
Preparation:
1. In a small pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned; drain well. Transfer to a plate to cool before adding to cat food.
2. In a blender, combine tuna and its water or broth, cooked meat, tomatoes, and potatoes; blend until completely smooth. If the mixture is too dry, add more water (1 tablespoon at a time) and blend again until desired consistency is reached_yields about 4 cups (760 g).
Recipe 3: Sardine and Sweet Potato Recipe
Sardines packed in tomato sauce are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are very important for your cat’s heart. The combination of sardines and sweet potatoes also makes this recipe extremely palatable to picky eaters. This is an excellent food to feed your cat if she has diabetes or has a thyroid problem.
It’s best to cook the sweet potatoes in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for later use. If you do not have time to cook the sweet potatoes before, you can substitute 1/2 cup (75 g) canned pumpkin puree.
Purina Pro Plan Prime Plus Senior 7+ Adult Dry Cat Food
Ingredients:
● 1/2 cup (110 g) tomato sauce from a can of sardines packed in water, no salt added
● 4 1/2 cups (570 g) cooked, cubed sweet potatoes (about one large sweet potato)
● 3/4 cup (20 g) fresh parsley or spinach, finely chopped
● 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
Preparation:
1. In a small pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sardines with their tomato sauce and cook until the sauce bubble; remove from heat and cool before adding to cat food.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine cooked sardines with sauce, sweet potatoes, and fresh parsley or spinach; blend until completely smooth_yields about 4 cups (800 g).
Also Read: 11 Best Soft Food for Senior Cats: Top Guide for Your Cat
Nutrition Fact Of cat food for senior cats
As your cat reaches middle age, some changes begin to occur in her body. Although aging cats do not become suddenly frail, they gradually lose muscle mass and strength over time. This is due to a decrease in testosterone production, which occurs naturally as your cat ages. Muscle loss can be an issue because it increases the risk of falls and injuries, especially for overweight cats.
Good nutrition can help slow down the aging process of your cat by maintaining strong muscles and bones. This is why it is important to feed her good quality food throughout her life – not just when she’s older. Buy organic cat food because it contains higher amounts of vitamins and minerals than regular cat food.
Also, avoid feeding your senior cat large amounts of protein because it is more difficult to digest than when she was younger.
If you feed your older cat commercial dry kibble, make sure that the first ingredient listed on the bag is meat (chicken, turkey, or beef). While not overly concerned with fat or calorie content, older cats are more prone to weight gain, so monitoring their food intake is important.
Is homemade food better for cats?
Feeding your cat a homemade diet is beneficial for so many reasons.
For one, when you make meals from scratch, it’s easier to control the number of proteins, carbs, and fats in each serving. You can also assure that there are no added flavors or preservatives in the food. Homemade cat food is very healthy because you have complete control over the quality of the ingredients, how it is prepared and what your cat is eating.
Making your cat food sounds complicated, but it’s easier than you may think. We recommend using high-quality organic meat to ensure that your pet doesn’t ingest any harmful chemicals or hormones.
There are many recipes for homemade cat food that you can find online. It’s important to consult with your veterinarian before starting a new diet for your cat because some foods may not be appropriate for her.
What do senior cats need in their diet?
As your cat ages, she may start to develop some health problems. You can help prevent some of these issues with a healthy diet for older cats that meets their nutritional needs.
Older cats are particularly at risk for heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and kidney failure. As your cat gets older, her metabolism will slow down, which can cause her to retain fat and fluids in her body. This is why it’s so important to keep your cat slim and trim even after she reaches middle age.
What brand of cat food is best for senior cats?
“If you get to the store early enough, you get the best pick of what’s in season.” – George Eliot
Although not all cats are alike, some brands seem more suitable for senior cats than others.
Wellness is one of our favorite brands because its recipes are based on the idea of creating cat food that mimics your pet’s natural diet. They use simple, fresh ingredients like whole meats and vegetables to provide the energy your cat needs without any added preservatives or flavors.
All Wellness formulas are made with premium quality seafood or grain-free poultry as the number one ingredient (which means they contain higher amounts of protein), making them perfect for senior cats and those with sensitive stomachs.
Hill’s science diets, on the other hand, maybe advertised as perfect for “senior cats.” Still, it is important to note that these formulas are extremely processed and contain many ingredients that your cat doesn’t necessarily need.
It also contains a high amount of carbohydrates, which can help your cat gain weight.
Royal Canin has a wide range of special diet formulas that are also considered good for older cats because they contain higher amounts of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids to support urinary tract health in senior cats.
The best advice for choosing the right food for your senior cat is to do some research.
Look at the ingredients list and ensure it contains a high amount of protein with relatively few carbs or vegetables.
It would be best to opt for a brand with probiotics that help your pet’s digestive system work more efficiently.
The Bottom Line
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Hi there! My name is Koushik; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
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