Senior Cat Food

Senior wet and dry foods, such as Purina One Senior 7+ or Felix As Good As It Looks 7+, are generally adjusted in calorie content to suit a less active cat, since weight gain becomes more of a risk once activity drops off with age. Some senior ranges also adjust texture, since dental comfort can become more of an issue in older cats.

Protein quality remains important for older cats, so a senior recipe is not simply a lower-protein version of adult food; it is a different balance aimed at an ageing cat's specific needs.

Wet senior food, such as Whiskas 7+ Fish Favourites, adds moisture to the diet, which matters more for older cats who are prone to reduced kidney function and benefit from extra hydration. Dry senior food is convenient and helps some cats maintain a feeding routine, but does not provide the same moisture.

Many owners feed a mix of both, using wet food to boost hydration while keeping dry food available for grazing, which suits how many cats prefer to eat small amounts through the day.

Cats are typically considered senior from around seven years old, though a healthy, active cat may not need the switch immediately at that point. Signs worth watching for include weight change in either direction, reduced appetite, or a coat that has become noticeably less well groomed, which can indicate an older cat is struggling with mobility or comfort.

Any of these signs is a reasonable prompt to discuss a diet change with your vet, particularly since some can also indicate a health issue rather than simple ageing.

Switch gradually over about a week, mixing increasing amounts of the new food into the old, since a sudden change can unsettle an older cat's digestion more than it might a younger one. Keep an eye on appetite and stools through the transition.

If your cat refuses the new food outright, do not force it; try a different flavour or format within the same senior range, or check with your vet if the refusal continues alongside any other change in behaviour.