You will find that as your cat grows older their food needs change and they may require a new or altered diet. They will probably prefer to eat less at their meal times and you may notice that they become choosier about their choice of food. It is quite likely that they will have fewer teeth or that their teeth and gums have become far more sensitive. Food that needs more chewing will be ignored or only nibbled at times, so the less active it’s going to be. Older cats take longer to digest their food too.
With less activity comes a reduction in lean muscle mass and lean body mass, so the energy requirements of the older animal tend to be reduced. The elderly cat takes and requires less exercise and so their lean muscle mass decreases as does their body mass. As a consequence they require less energy and thus less food. Many cats become overweight as they age because their owners continue to feed them the same amount of food as when they were young adult cats. Of course, if your older cat maintains his active approach to life he will need more food. Thus it is important to observe the changes in your cat as they age.
The extra weight puts extra demand on joints and muscles, puts pressure on the heart and lungs and can lead to diabetes, arthritis and kidney disease. Some elderly cats lose too much weight as senior felines find the absorption and digestion of food more difficult. They need a higher calorie diet so that their correct weight is maintained. It is common for many older cats to develop medical conditions that lead them to lose weight such as kidney and thyroid disease. Dietary management plays a key role in controlling many ailments common to older cats such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, kidney failure, dental problems and cancer. Remember; if in doubt always consult your vet.
Many vets will recommend specialist foods for your cat and will happily carry out regular health checks. They can explain the differences between many of the different foods on the market and suggest which may be most suitable for your particular animal. If your cat develops a chronic illness they will usually be able to supply specialist foods for the cat’s diet. For example, a cat with a heart condition may do well with a low sodium senior diet. These can be more expensive than regular cat food but they will help prolong your pet’s life.
An effective senior diet provides concentrated, low fat, high quality, protein and easy to digest carbohydrates for energy. Key minerals support ageing joints, and vitamins, along with protein, help resist infections that the body may become vulnerable to as the immune system declines.
As far as putting out food for your cat is concerned, it is better to avoid leaving food out throughout the day. Get into a routine of feeding him in the mornings and evenings. With older cats you do need to monitor their food intake to avoid over or under feeding, so a regular routine is useful. Be sure to measure the amount of food you give your cat so that you know how much you should increase or decrease the portions should your cat start losing or gaining weight. Always provide plenty of fresh drinking water, as older cats may need to drink more.
Throughout its life, it is a good idea to weigh your cat every one to two months. Most vets weigh cats when they have their yearly check up and vaccination boosters but it is wise to do this more regularly if you can. At the very least use your eyes and hands to check your cat’s body shape. If weight is steadily increasing after 12 months of age, you need to start reducing your cat’s food. Weight loss can be an early sign of illness, so check with your vet.
Cats, like humans, vary in size from small to large, so weight alone will not tell you everything about your cat’s health. The only way to tell if your pet is overweight is to examine it carefully. Can you see a defined waist when viewed from above? Can you feel your pet’s ribs with light finger pressure? If you can’t then it is time to reduce food intake. A potbelly is also a clear sign over feeding or possible health problems so it is definitely time to go on a diet or take the cat to your vet for a check up. Please do not just put your pet on a crash diet as it is dangerous for cats.
With older cats it may be better to follow one of the many senior diets. These tend to be lower in calories and so reduce the chances of weight gain. Restricting protein has not been proved to be beneficial for healthy cats but it does aid cats with kidney problems. If your cat has kidney disease ask your vet for advice on a suitable diet.
By: Jayme Wilson
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