Did you know that your feline friend needs a different diet once he gets older? Do you know what to feed him?
When your cat becomes a senior citizen of the cat world, the lungs, kidneys, heart and digestive system can start to have potential problems.
- To feed your older cat you need to look for cat food specifically for senior cats, which have a high quality protein source and lower levels of phosphorus; this will reduce the strain on the kidneys. Also look for added vitamin E this is to keep their naturals defenses healthy.
- Your older cat´s activity levels may drop off, so he will need fewer calories to keep him at a good healthy weight. Very old cats tend to get thinner; they will need more food to maintain their healthy weight. Older cats sometimes lose their sense of smell and taste, and can have problems chewing the food and digesting it. Senior cat foods kibbles are smaller and softer and a lot more suitable for your older feline.
- You can give your cat canned senior food, dry senior cat food or a mixture of both. If you combine the two, make sure to check for the caloric intake on each one and feed accordingly. Dry cat food will stay fresh all day; you can leave it out for them to nibble on all day whenever they want it. Keep your canned cat food in the fridge and always warm it up just a bit, this makes digestion easier. Don´t keep the canned cat food open for longer than 24 hours.
- Feed your older cat small amounts often throughout the day, this helps aid in their digestion too. If you notice your cat is losing his appeal for the food, try this little trick, pour the liquid from one can of sardines over the food and this will make the cat food much more appealing to him and he´ll think it´s a treat.
- Feed your cat away from where you have your meals. Always feed him in the same place and the same time everyday. Cats don´t like change. You want this area to be calm, quiet and free from distractions. You need to keep the feeding bowls on an easily cleanable surface such as tile floors or a mat. Always keep fresh water available and clean the food bowls regularly. Do not place the feeding area near the litter box; our furry friends are very picky about that.
You have several options to feed your older cat and you´ll guarantee him a healthier, happier lifestyle by feeding him the best food for his age and activity level.
