When is a cat a senior cat?

When your cat reaches the age of seven, you probably won’t notice much different about the way they behave. After all, most cats live until they’re 13–17. Besides, your cat’s probably still active, healthy, and just as independent and curious as ever!

Even though they don’t really seem to be getting old, by the time your cat reaches seven years of age, their nutritional needs will be changing. However, with the right diet, you can slow down – or even prevent – some of the health issues that may crop up as the years go by, and continue to give your cat the care you’ve provided throughout their life so far.

It’s important not to put off making these changes. By changing your cat’s diet at the right time, you’ll be setting them up for many healthy years to come. If it helps, don’t think of them as a golden oldie – instead, tell yourself they're entering the prime of their life!

Common health issues for senior cats

• Heart problems
• Reduced kidney function
• Poor eyesight
• Difficulties maintaining a healthy skin and coat

The right food for their age

By feeding your cat the right food for their age, you’ll give them the best possible chance of enjoying their senior years in tip-top condition.

For example, the Whiskas® 7+ range contains higher levels of taurine for a healthy heart, as well as the right levels of phosphorus to help keep their waterworks healthy! Meanwhile, the tag-team of zinc and linoleic acid will help keep their coat looking as glossy as ever.

Mixed feeding

Another way to help your senior cat stay healthy is to give them the right mix of wet and dry food. While many dry foods are nutritionally complete, don’t forget that your cat is a natural predator – if they lived in the wild, they'd naturally be hunting and eating their prey. So they'll definitely thank you for including some succulent meat in their diet!

As well as giving them the tastes and textures they love, wet food is also a great source of water – particularly important for your senior cat. Not only does wet food help their kidneys, but it can also help if you’re watching their weight.

Whiskas® recommends a mix for your senior cat of 15g of dry food for every 100g of wet.