Our domestic feline friends can be known to live up until the grand age of 20 and even more, if they’re lucky, so we want to make sure they live out their older years as happy and healthy as possible by providing them with the best cat food for seniors. Selecting the best cat food plays a vital role in helping your pet get all the nutrients they need to fill them up, which is why it is important to switch to senior food later in life. Experts recommend that you change from adult dry cat food to cat food for seniors when your cat turns seven.
The main difference between senior and adult cat food is that cat food for seniors is lower in calories and has a little less protein – as too much can lead to health issues in older cats. As your cat ages, they no longer get as much exercise and their metabolism slows down. They, therefore, do require fewer calories and you will need to feed them less food in terms of portion size.
Best senior cat foods at a glance:
• Best cat food for seniors: IAMS Delights Wet Senior Cat Food Pouch Multipack Land and Sea Collection 12 x 85g - viewon Amazon UK
• Best senior cat food recommended by vets: Hill's Science Plan Senior and Adult Wet Cat Food - view on Pets At Home
• Best dry senior cat food: Purina ONE Senior 7 Plus Dry Cat Food Chicken, 3kg - view on Amazon UK
• Best value senior cat food: Felix As Good As It Looks 7+ Senior 120 x 100g - view on Amazon UK
Older cats are prone to being a little fussier when it comes to eating their breakfast and dinner and will more than often eat less than what they used to - read our article on cat food for fussy cats if that's the case. However, some older moggies still have a huge appetite, so it is always important to monitor your cat's weight whatever their size. Overfeeding an older cat can contribute to other health issues, including joint problems such as arthritis, UTIs and diabetes.
Some brands have tried to make their senior wet and dry food easier to swallow for those wobbly teeth. According to the RSPCA, the most important thing to keep your cat healthy is to ensure a diet that is well-balanced and meat-based. You should never feed your cat a vegan or vegetarian diet, as they need meat to be healthy and happy. To help you give your ageing cat the best life, we've rounded up the best senior cat food on the market.
Best cat food for seniors
Best cat food for seniors
AmazonIAMS is known for providing high-quality nutritional food to support your cat's later years. The senior collection is easy to chew and contains quality animal protein for strong muscles and vitamins and minerals to help maintain strong bones.
Customer review: "I have a very fussy elderly cat who has always eaten only a smidge of wet food bits but all the jelly. She adores these and clears her bowl so I'm actually saving money. The smell is not offensive unlike a lot of wet food."
Pros
- Soft texture
- Good for fussy eaters
- Ideal pouch size
- Easy to serve
Cons
- Not many flavours
- Some reviews say it is a little rich so your older cat might not eat a whole portion
Best senior cat food recommended by vets
Pawswww.petsathome.com
Hill's Science Mature Adult Cat Food helps to support those older cats with their heart health, kidneys, and bladder. As our cats get older, we want them to get as many nutrients as possible, and this cat food for seniors gives the best balance of taste and nutrition.
Customer review: "Bought this about a month ago as my cat (who had had surgery some months ago to remove bladder stones) seemed to have gone off her usual dry food (the dry version of this). Wasn't sure she'd like the wet version. She adores it, so have bought several more multi-packs."
Pros
- Made with mature adult cats in mind
- Pouches can be recycled
- Improves coat
Cons
- Hard to find in supermarkets
Best dry senior cat food
Purina dry cat food is well-loved by many cats and kittens, but this senior dry food for cats is specifically formulated for ageing cats, with special attention being paid to natural defences and heart and kidney functions. This 3kg bag will also last you a while and is best fed alongside wet food.
Customer review: "My cat loved this food. It is a bit more expensive than my usual brand but she ate everything put in her bowl. Would buy this again."
Pros
- Great for fussy cats
- Scent-free
- Good to buy in bulk
Cons
- Can get expensive compared to other brands if you also buy Purina wet food alongside it
Best senior dry cat food for sensitive stomachs
AmazonScrumbles dry senior cat food is wheat-free and packed full of protein - making it a great choice for senior cats, especially those with sensitive stomachs. It is also made in the UK and Ireland and is hypoallergenic to support a healthy, glossy coat and healthy urinary tract.
Customer review: "My old cat had no bother transitioning to this from other dry foods. The nuggets are quite small but that doesn’t bother her. I’ve given five stars for taste as she delved straight in."
Pros
- Helps with digestive health
- No additives
- Small sized kibble
- High protein content
- Scent-free
Cons
- Hard to buy in bulk
- Plastic packaging
Best senior cat food for weight loss
Amazon Losing weight can be a problem for older cats for a number of reasons, including decreased metabolic activity, gastrointestinal infections, and dental problems. This Lily's Kitchen paté is packed full of meat and natural ingredients and has no added sugars. As it is paté, it is so easy to chew and benefits sensitive stomachs as well as helping your senior cat maintain a healthy weight.
Customer review: "Great treat for cats. Lovely packaging, easy to open and paté itself looks delicious. Gave this to two of my cats and they ate it all within minutes. Loved it. Is a little more expensive than standard cat food but perfect for treat days."
Pros
- Smooth texture so easy to chew
- Good for cats with sensitive stomachs
- High meat content
Cons
- Your cat may need time to adjust if they're used to other food
Best value senior cat food
Amazon Felix recipes are specially formulated for cats of age 7+ to help keep them healthy. The pouches are packed full of irresistible ingredients and flavours including beef, salmon, chicken and tuna - great for caring for your cats in their later years.
Customer review: "I have a very fussy elderly cat who has always eaten only a smidge of wet food bits but all the jelly. She adores these and clears her bowl so am actually saving money and the smell is not offensive unlike a lot of wet food."
Pros
- Big box split into 3 x 40 for better storage
- Good for fussy eaters
- Great for multiple cat households
- Variety of flavours
Cons
- The jelly is firm, making it harder to eat for cats with dental health issues
- Check the delivery source when ordering from Amazon
Best fresh senior cat food
AmazonIf you're after a natural solution to your cat turning its nose up at its normal food, Applaws Senior creates food that is one hundred per cent natural - made from the finest cuts of meat and fish. To keep it fresh make sure you keep it in a cool, dry place.
Customer review: "Our old moggy seems to finally be gaining some weight after introducing these alongside other "luxury" cat foods. She's super fussy so food has to be rotated as she goes off it quick. These are going down well though."
Pros
- If your cat is a little underweight, this food will up protein levels
- Genuine meaty chunks
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Smaller portions
FAQs
Wet or dry cat food – what should I buy?
Firstly, you may already know which food your cat prefers. Wet cat food has a lot of moisture content and is often cheap, but will produce bacteria if let out for long – always remember to replace bowls and don’t leave them out for longer than an hour. Dry cat food is convenient and can help your cat’s teeth by getting rid of plaque, but can be harder to chew for older cats.
Most nutritionists would recommend feeding a mixture of wet and dry food, so your cat gets the best of both worlds, and you can also check out an automatic pet feeder to make sure your kitten is getting all the food it needs.
What are the most popular cat food brands?
Our selection of the best senior cat food includes the top-rated products for every need including cats with sensitive stomachs, but here are some other brands you can look into that come highly rated by pet owners.
Purina
James Wellbeloved
Go Cat
Royal Canin
Lily's Kitchen
Natures Menu
Hill's Science Plan
AVA
Iams
Whiskas
Sheba
Felix
What cat food is recommended by vets?
There are many different brands of cat food recommended by vets, you just need to have a little search. These brands include Science Diet, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, AVA, and many more. If you’re not sure, call up your local vet and see what they recommend.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, cooking, researching or testing products, she's rennovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in her jungle garden with her three cats and sausage dog Waffle.