The foods that old cats love
Our cats live longer than ever, which leads to the question: "What should old cats eat?"
If we talk about cats that are really reaching the end of their lives, I think the answer is "whatever they want".
Cats become extremely fussy as their quality of life diminishes, so I consider it a great success if we get them to eat something. However, before reaching that point, owners can do many things from the point of view of nutrition to maximize the health and longevity of their cats.
The digestive physiology of a cat changes as it gets older. Around the age of 11 or 12, the ability to digest fat begins to decrease. Fats contain more calories per gram than protein or carbohydrates, so this can have a major effect on a cat's ability to extract calories (energy) from food. To make matters worse, research has shown that about 20% of cats over the age of 14 have a reduced ability to digest proteins. Put these two conditions together and without dietary intervention, a cat will lose both fat and muscle mass. The loss of muscle mass is especially worrisome because these people have an increased risk of illness and death.
Most older cats also have some degree of arthritis and have an increased risk of kidney disease. Advanced age also increases the production of free radicals within the body. A free radical is "a group of atoms that contain oxygen and electrons that can alter and damage the chemical structure of cells or other compounds."
Free radicals essentially "steal" electrons from what is nearby. When another molecule is forced to abandon an electron, it often becomes a free radical in itself, which continues the cell injury cycle.
Based on all this, a good diet for a big cat has the following characteristics:
High levels of antioxidants (for example, vitamins A, C and E, beta carotene and selenium) to counteract the damage of free radicals.
Low levels of phosphorus to protect the kidneys. High-quality protein sources contain less phosphorus than low-quality sources.
Enough protein to maintain a cat's muscle mass. Extra carnitine (an amino acid) can also help in this regard.
Fish oils and other sources of essential fatty acids to counteract the effects of brain aging and promote joint health.
A moderate to high level of fat, based on the score of the cat's body condition. Skinny cats need a lot of fat to maximize their caloric intake. Overweight cats can do it with a little less.
And last but certainly not least, excellent palatability and odor to stimulate the appetite.
These recommendations can certainly change if an old cat suffers from an illness that is managed, at least in part, through the diet. Ask your veterinarian to help you determine what particular food might be best for your cat based on your individual needs.
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