Why You Should Feed Soft Cat Food to Senior Cats

We love our aging kitties. We want to make sure that they are happy, healthy, and get plenty to eat. As our cats age, they might start to struggle with eating due to dental issues. On top of this, their sense of smell and taste could begin to fade as they grow older. Smaller and softer pieces of cat food can help your older cat get the most out of a meal. While you can soften dry cat food for senior cats, this is usually not the most recommended solution since it will decrease the palatability of the food. Instead, wet food for older cats is more recommended. The higher meat content in many senior soft cat foods can also improve the smell and flavor for your aging kitty, making it more appealing to them. This article will discuss: 

• Why you shouldn't soften dry cat food
• How to feed soft cat food to an older or senior cat
• The benefits of wet or soft cat food for senior cats
• If you should feed soft cat food to your cat

What is Soft Cat Food?

Soft cat food is food that holds a tender texture, making it easier for cats to chew or swallow. This is especially true for cats with dental diseases. Additionally, many soft cat foods for senior cats tend to have higher moisture content, which can assist a cat’s digestion and kidney health. Proper hydration is crucial for their overall well-being. 

You might be wondering, What is the best soft cat food for senior cats? For aging cats, there are plenty of wet senior cat food options on the market these days that your older kitty might love. Talk to your vet and see which option will be best for your furball.

Why You Should Not Soften Dry Cat Food

Let’s say your kitty loves the crunch factor of dry cat food, but needs that higher moisture content. The good news is there are plenty of dry senior cat food options that have the high moisture content already added. What you do not want to do is soften the kibble with water, broth, gravy, or otherwise. The reason is because this will decrease the palatability of dry cat food for senior cats. It will also make it soggy and undesirable for your feline.

Most senior cat foods already provide everything your senior cat will need, such as high-quality protein along with added vitamin E to give your kitty a nice boost to their immune system. Therefore, the only thing you must worry about is finding the right senior cat food option for your older cat with the help of your vet. If you notice that your cat is still struggling to eat the dry senior cat food, then it might be necessary to slowly change them to wet senior cat food instead.

Benefits of Feeding Wet Cat Food to a Senior Cat

You might be wondering, Is wet food better for older cats? It turns out there are a lot of advantages to giving your senior cat wet food to eat:

• A softer texture makes it easier for kitties to chew and swallow, especially if they have dental issues
• Wet or canned cat foods have more moisture content, which keeps your kitty hydrated
• The higher moisture content aids in a cat’s overall health and assists in proper organ function
• Wet or canned cat foods tend to have higher proportions of meat, which improves the smell and taste for an aging cat making it more appealing 

On top of the above benefits, there are many ways to encourage your kitty to eat softer cat food if they are not consuming enough. For example, you can try warming the food to room temperature or adding a strong-smelling cat treat that they love. You will also want to make sure that the food is easily accessible, since a senior kitty can have trouble getting around. Your vet might even have some other great suggestions on how to entice them to eat more to maintain a healthy weight. Try different methods and reach out to your vet if you need further assistance with your older cat.

When to Switch to Soft Cat Food

Cats over the age of 7 might need to switch to a soft senior cat food, as this is when they usually start needing more support for their teeth, joints, immune system, and overall health. Gradually introduce them to the new food over an 8-10 day period. Some cats might need a few extra days, so be patient with your furball as they adjust. Start by mixing 1/4 of the new food with 3/4 of the old food, then gradually the new food while decreasing the old food. Talk to your vet if you need advice on alternative formulas or foods.

How Much Soft Cat Food to Feed a Senior Cat

Each cat is going to be different when it comes to portion control. You want to make sure to take into consideration their individual conditions, such as indoor vs. outdoor cats, spayed/neutered, overall weight, etc. You also want to take into consideration whether you are feeding them wet or dry food. It’s important to portion out their meals based on their daily caloric intake, which your veterinarian can help you figure out. Generally, the guidelines suggest feeding an average-sized adult cat about one 3-ounce can of wet cat food per every 3-3-1/2 pounds of their body weight daily. For dry food, if they are 5-9 pounds, then the guidelines suggest they eat about 1/3-2/3 cup spaced out within a 24-hour time span. If they are 10-14 pounds, then the guidelines say to eat about 3/4-1 cup of dry food across a 24-hour timeframe. These meals can be divided into 2-3 meals throughout the day. Make sure to give your kitty the same portions at the same time every day to develop a good feeding habit. Talk to your vet to figure out the best portion size and feeding schedule for your loved one.  

If you notice any drastic changes in your cat’s eating habits or their overall weight, then they might have an underlying health condition. In this instance, it’s best to reach out to your vet or local animal hospital right away. 

Purina Soft Cat Food for Seniors

One of the great things about Purina’s senior cat food line is the diversity of wet and dry foods that we offer older cats. We even offer a Pet Food Finder to help you find the perfect senior cat food match for your loved one, including soft cat food for seniors. We understand that each cat is unique and has different needs, tastes, and desires. We also understand the importance of senior cat nutrition and ensuring that their dietary requirements are met. Our experts work hard to make sure that each senior cat food formula is optimized to meet the unique needs of aging kitties and have the highest-quality ingredients for their overall health.

For more expert tips on caring for your senior cat, explore our other feeding senior cat articles.