Cat food for older cats
Older cats can go either way with weight — some pile it on as they slow down, others start losing it as digestion and kidney function change with age — so 'food for older cats' is less about one fixed formula and more about watching your own cat and choosing a food that matches what is actually happening to them.
Why older cats need watching, not just a different bag
A senior cat food is generally adjusted for lower activity levels, and some ranges add ingredients aimed at digestive or joint support, but no single senior recipe suits every ageing cat because ageing itself does not follow one pattern. A cat who is putting on weight needs a different approach to one who is losing it, even though both are simply getting older.
Unexplained weight loss in an older cat is worth a vet check rather than assuming it is 'just age' — it can be an early sign of several conditions common in older cats, including kidney disease and an overactive thyroid, both of which are managed very differently to normal ageing and need a food suited to the specific condition rather than a general senior recipe.
What to look for in the food itself
Easier digestibility and moderate rather than high fat tend to suit a less active older cat, and wet food's extra moisture can help a cat who is not drinking much on their own, which becomes more common with age. Dry senior recipes with smaller kibble can also help a cat with dental wear, which is worth considering if they seem to be struggling with harder food.
If your cat has a diagnosed condition, a general senior food is not a substitute for one formulated for that specific issue — your vet can advise on a therapeutic diet where one is genuinely needed, and a general senior recipe should not be used in place of it.
Making the switch
Introduce any new food gradually, mixing it with what they already eat over a week or so, since older cats can be more particular about sudden change than younger ones. Keep an eye on their weight over the following weeks rather than assuming the new food is working just because they are eating it.
If your cat goes off their food entirely, loses weight quickly, or seems otherwise unwell, that is a reason to see your vet rather than simply trying a different food — appetite loss in an older cat is more often worth investigating than managing through diet changes alone.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
James Wellbeloved Senior Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for senior cats, formulated with added joint-care ingredients
From£21.79
Whiskas 7+ Senior Cat Complete Dry with Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in a 1.9KG bag
£12.39
James Wellbeloved Senior Dry Cat Food Chicken
A single-source chicken dry food for senior cats, with taurine and glucosamine in the mix
£21.79
Iams Senior Cat Advanced Nutrition Tuna
Dry senior cat food with glucosamine for joints and taurine for the heart
£12.49
Iams 7+ Senior Cat Advance Nutrition Chicken
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+, in an 800G bag
£5.35
Burns Adult/Senior Cat Sensitive Grain Free Duck & Potato
Grain-free duck and potato food for cats with digestive or food sensitivities
£16.49
Whiskas 7 Poultry Feasts Senior Wet Cat Food Pouches in Jelly
Whiskas complete senior wet cat food with Chicken, Turkey, Poultry and Duck
From£5.35
Iams Senior Dry Cat Food Chicken
Complete dry food for cats aged 7+, wheat-free with added glucosamine and taurine
£12.49
Purina One Pouches 7+ Senior Cat Mini Fillets in Gravy 40pk
A 40-pouch box of complete wet food for senior cats, mini fillets in gravy, mixed flavours
£18.15
Felix as Good as It Looks Senior 7+ Fish in Jelly 12pk
Chunky trout, sardine, tuna and salmon in jelly, made for cats aged seven and up
£5.99
Purina One Senior 7+ Bifensis Chicken
Senior cat dry food (7+) with added Bifensis probiotic and a weight-based feeding guide
£46.45
Common questions
- At what age is a cat considered 'older'?
- Around seven is the usual guideline for moving towards a senior food, but it is a general marker rather than a fixed rule. Some cats show ageing changes earlier, others much later, so watching your own cat matters more than the number.
- My older cat is losing weight — should I just feed more?
- See your vet before assuming more food is the answer. Unexplained weight loss in an older cat can be an early sign of a condition that needs proper diagnosis and a specific diet, rather than something a bigger portion fixes on its own.
- Is wet or dry food better for an older cat?
- Both can work well. Wet food adds moisture, which helps a cat who does not drink much, while dry food with smaller kibble can suit a cat with some dental wear. Many owners feed a mix of both.
- Does my older cat need a special diet if they're diagnosed with kidney disease?
- Yes, kidney disease is typically managed with a specific therapeutic diet formulated for that condition, which is different from a general senior cat food. Your vet can advise on the right food if your cat is diagnosed.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.