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cat article tips feeding your senior cat
Tips for Feeding Your Senior Cat

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Tips for Feeding Your Senior Cat

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Aging pets may need special senior cat food, such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Senior Plus.
 

Mature cats need the same kinds of nutrients as younger adult cats, but as their metabolism slows, the quantities of those nutrients and the ways in which they are provided may need to change. Each cat is different, so ask your veterinarian for dietary recommendations based on your cat's physical condition.

 

Here are some special dietary concerns of mature cats:

  • Obesity. Cats tend to gain weight as they age and become less active. Those between the ages of 7 and 9 are at the highest risk of becoming obese, making a lower-calorie diet appropriate in some cases. If your cat is overweight, ask your veterinarian to help you modify the diet you're providing.
  • Weight loss. Some cats may become thinner as they get older. This can be part of the normal aging process, but progressive weight loss can also be caused by serious medical problems. Tell your veterinarian about any significant changes in your cat's weight and then discuss whether diet modifications are necessary. If a physical examination rules out disease, you might consider a calorie-dense 'senior' food that has higher amounts of readily digestible fat, which cats find especially tasty. It may help improve your cat's appetite.
  • Dental problems. As your cat ages, periodic dental checkups will help prevent the oral diseases that are common in older cats and can affect their ability to eat. If your cat has irreversible dental problems, a change from dry food to canned or semi-moist food might be necessary.

 

Follow these guidelines for feeding an older cat:

  • Choose the right senior cat food. To ensure proper nutrition and to safeguard the health of your cat, select a nutritionally balanced and complete diet specifically formulated for mature cats.
  • Take your senior cat for regular (at least once a year) medical checkups. Your veterinarian can talk with you about any special health problems your pet has and the dietary changes that might be necessary. In many 'old age' diseases, special foods can be prescribed along with medication to help manage the conditions. Give your cat supplements only if your veterinarian specifically recommends them.
  • Watch your cat's weight. If you notice that your older pet is gaining or losing weight, tell your veterinarian. The doctor can check for medical problems that might be contributing to the weight change and recommend modifications in diet to correct the problem.
  • Watch the treats. Older cats—and their digestive systems—are even more sensitive than the youngsters to the unbalancing effects of frequent snacks, treats, and table scraps.
  • Keep fresh water in a clean bowl available at all times. If your pet is not drinking, consider buying a pet water fountain, as running water is sometimes more appealing to cats.
  • Make food more appetizing. As cats age, their senses of smell and taste become less acute, so pet food manufacturers have developed senior cat food with intensified aromas and flavors. You can try to make your older cat's food more appealing by warming it to increase its smell (just be sure to stir it to eliminate any hot spots), or by adding bouillon or gravy. If your cat has dental problems, you can change the food's texture by blending or mashing it with water.

  • Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten

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    Kitten Training

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    Your kitten is one of a kind, not to mention adorable. But training your li’l baby comes with some basic guidelines. Scroll on for a handful of our favorite kitten training tips.

     

     

    Set up your kitten for litter box training success.

    Introduce your new kitten to their litter box as soon as they get home. Then always set your cat in their box right after meals and as soon as they wake up from naps.
     

    And don’t forget to reward your kitten with a treat, toy or some extra love after they use it.

     

    Kitty, meet litter.

    Litter, meet kitty.

     

     

    Nip kitten biting in the bud.

    When Kitty forgets their manners and bites you or shows their aggressive side, say “ow” or “no” clearly and sternly.
     

    Then slowly remove your hand — or other body part — from their razor-sharp clutches. Pick up your kitten, place them away from you, walk away and ignore them.
     

    You can also redirect them to a feather wand or another toy or activity if you want. But that’s your call.

     

    Ouch!

    That’s my hand,

    not a treat, tiny cat.

     

     

    Squash kitten scratching (and save your furniture).

    By giving your little feline lots of sturdy scratching posts throughout your house, especially where they like to hang out, you can save your favorite furniture from unwanted claw marks and damage.
     

    Oh, and be sure to trim your kitten’s nails regularly.

     

    Say it with me:

    Sofas are NOT

    scratching posts.

     

     

    Cue the cat carrier training.

    Teach your kitten that their cat carrier is a safe, comfortable place to chillax and feel protected.
     

    Trust us, by making a carrier part of your fuzzball’s daily life, road trips and vet visits will be easier and safer for years to come.

     

    Cozy up,

    Buttercup.

     

     

    It's midnight. Bring on the zoomies, furry one.
    (Actually, please don’t.)

     

     

    Curb the crazies when you’re asleep.

    Want to stop your kitten from bouncing off the walls while you’re supposed to be deep in slumber land? Try these tips.

     

     

    Did you know there are five distinct cat personalities?

    Yep, it’s true! One of our favorite Opens a new windowstudies from the University of South Australia proved it.

     


    To help train your kitten, pick the word that best describes them:

     

     

     

     

    Skittish

    These anxious felines tend to run away when the doorbell rings and are fearful of new situations.


    The key to training a skittish kitty? Practice lots of patience and never force them to face their fears, like meeting your house guests after they’ve already runaway and hidden.
     

     

    Outgoing

    Some call them nosy, but we call them fearless. Outgoing kitties are curious and adventurous. They love to explore and get into everything — and they sometimes act naughty because they’re bored.


    One of the tricks to training an outgoing kitten is to give them lots of toys and actively play with them. It stimulates their mind and helps burn off energy.
     

     

    Dominant

    “Bossy” best describes these kitties. They bully other cats (and even other pets) and hog things like food bowls, toys and litter boxes.


    If your kitten fits this category, be consistently firm and make sure you play with them regularly so they have less energy to be aggressive.


    You might also want to make sure your little CEO (Cat Executive Officer) has their own food bowl, water bowl and litter box.
     

     

    Spontaneous

    Two words describe these felines: impulsive and erratic. Their behavior and moods are unpredictable, even if they’ve encountered the same situation before.


    When training, never raise your voice — it’ll just ramp up your kitty’s nerves and make them more erratic.


    Also, be sure to stick to a consistent daily schedule for feeding and playtime so your little fuzzball knows what to expect and doesn’t get stressed out.
     

     

    Friendly

    This personality is every cat lover’s dream.


    These sweeties can usually be found curling up against your shins, meowing loudly and purring away.


    The key to training these kittens is to never yell and to socialize them early and often. That way, they’ll continue to be everyone’s best friend for life.

     

    You had me at
    meow, li’l feline.

    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten
    Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten