We take reviews seriously. This article has product links we may be compensated for as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you.
With my cat recently turning 7 years old, I’ve become obsessed with creating a diet to help her thrive for what I hope will be many more playful years. I recently started giving her cat food formulated for mature life stages.
After intense research, we found that our best cat food for older cats is Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Wet Cat Food.
- Top 5 ingredients real and natural
- Contains animal protein and organs
- Grain-free, no wheat, corn, and soy
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joints and mobility
- Omega fatty acids for coat and immune health
However, I know that there are many variables that go into what makes the best cat food for senior cats for different cats. That’s why I’m sharing my other great picks for several categories to help you find the option for your furry friend.
At the end is a full buying guide with everything you need to make an informed decision.
These are the other products we review in this article:
Nulo Freestyle Senior Dry Food
- High in quality protein
- Patented probiotic
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- No grains, potato, filler, or by-products
- Small kibble for cats who have trouble chewing
Fancy Feast Senior 7+ Variety Pack Canned Food
- Hyper palatable to encourage eating.
- Contains real protein.
- Vitamin E
- Grain free
- Variety pack & made in the USA.
Blue Buffalo Blissful Belly Digestive Care Wet Food
- Real chicken
- High in natural prebiotic fiber
- Proprietary Life Source Bits
- No wheat, corn, soy, or fillers
- Low phosphorous, ash, magnesium
- High moisture
- Single protein source
- No grain, gluten, carrageenan
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Dry Food
- Real chicken is first ingredient.
- High in natural and prebiotic fiber
- Vitamin and omega fatty acids
- Senior cat formulated to support the heart, kidney, bladder
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Variety Pack Wet Food
- Easy to eat mousse texture in a pouch.
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free
- Formulated for older cats.
- Overall Best Wet Senior Cat Food
- Overall Dry Wet Senior Cat Food
- Best Cat Food for Older Cats for Weight Gain
- Best Senior Cat Food for Weight Loss
- Best Cat Food for Senior Cats for Sensitive Stomach
- Best Senior Cat Food for Constipation
- Best Low Phosphorous Senior Cat Food
- Best Cat Food for Older Cats That Vomit
- Best Cat Food for Older Cats for Hairballs
- Best Easy to Eat Senior Cat Food
- What Qualifies as a Senior Cat?
- Dietary Requirements of Senior Cats
- Senior Food vs. Regular Cat Food
- How to Choose a Cat Food for Senior Cats
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Wet Senior Cat Food
- Top 5 ingredients real and natural
- Contains animal protein and organs
- Grain-free, no wheat, corn, and soy
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joints and mobility
- Omega fatty acids for coat and immune health
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, whitefish, chicken hearts
- Guaranteed analysis: 10.5% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 96 kcal/can ME
- Life stage: Senior
This yummy wet (pate) chicken (poultry) offers grain-free protein in a high-moisture recipe. That built-in moisture is important to me because senior cats sometimes struggle to make the rounds to the water dish throughout the day.
Even if they’re “eating” their moisture, older cats need to stay hydrated to avoid UTIs. The tenderness and fragrance of this pate are very enticing for older cats who may be struggling with dry food.
The high glucosamine and chondroitin levels from real chicken are great for joint health. The omega fatty acids can help to protect the coat and skin from dryness and brittleness. I’ve seen reviewers share that this food brought back coat shine.
This recipe skips corn, wheat, soy, preservatives, and artificial colors.
I personally like the way the protein, fat, and fiber are in proportion to give my cat what she needs while still being very gentle on her digestive system and organs.
What We Like:
- Chicken and other whole foods as top ingredients
- Natural glucosamine and chondroitin
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free, no by-products or fillers
What We Don’t Like:
- Only 2 flavors
Best Dry Senior Cat Food
- High in quality protein
- Patented probiotic
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- No grains, potato, filler, or by-products
- Small kibble for cats who have trouble chewing
- First 5 ingredients: Pollock, chicken meal, turkey meal, yellow peas, green lentils
- Guaranteed analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 14% Crude Fat, 6% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 431 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Senior
I was excited to find a dry (kibble/discs) that actually uses real pollack (fish) as the first ingredient. It’s also nice to see a high-protein formula that gets 75% of its protein from real fish and poultry.
As a grain-free dry food for senior cats, this stands out for being extremely nutritionally dense.
That extra protein and fat are important if you have an older cat who is still very active. Unlike many cat foods for senior cats, this one doesn’t assume that your cat is slowing down just because she’s getting up there in age.
After helping my Chelle through some weight issues and digestive sluggishness in the past, I like seeing so much natural fiber in this kibble. This food also has a probiotic blend.
In addition, it promotes good digestion by being 100% free of grains, wheat, corn, gluten, fake colors, fake flavors, and additives.
I just want to make a quick note on the size of the kibble because I’ve seen some conflicting experiences. Nulo Freestyle makes these bits smaller to make it easier for cats with sensitive teeth to chew them.
While I personally find this helpful, some reviewers have shared that the smaller bits are actually harder for their older cats to bite down on.
What We Like:
- High in quality protein
- Patented probiotic
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- No grains, potato, filler, or by-products
- Small kibble for cats who have trouble chewing
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains meat meals
Best Cat Food for Older Cats for Weight Gain
- Hyper palatable to encourage eating.
- Contains real protein.
- Vitamin E
- Grain free
- Variety pack & made in the USA.
(Chicken Feast)
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, fish, meat by-products, liver, chicken broth
- Guaranteed analysis: 11% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 96 kcal/can
- Life stage: Senior
(Beef Feast)
- First 5 ingredients: Beef, fish, meat by-products, liver, beef broth
- Guaranteed analysis: 11.5% Crude Protein, 5% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 95 kcal/can
- Life stage: Senior
(Tuna Feast)
- First 5 ingredients: Fish broth, tuna, wheat gluten, chicken, liver
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 79% Moisture
- Caloric content: 75 kcal/can
- Life stage: Senior
(Chicken Feast In Gravy )
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, wheat gluten, liver, meat by-products
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 2% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 79% Moisture
- Caloric content: 75 kcal/can
- Life stage: Senior
This wet food (pate and minced in gravy) offers a moisture-rich, tasty recipe (poultry, fish, or red meat) that can reawaken a senior cat’s appetite for the “good” stuff!
The medium-level protein balanced by low fat and calorie content can be great for feeding muscles without worrying about overfeeding a cat pivoting to a more sedentary lifestyle.
Overall, I’m left impressed by the antioxidants and vitamin E that help with immune function, coat health, and overall vitality. I think it’s hard to go wrong with a cat food for weight gain filled with such high-quality protein sources at this price point.
My only hesitation is that this food isn’t 100% free of filler. While I’d definitely call it a low-filler food, there is some wheat gluten thrown into the mix that disqualifies this as a grain-free senior pick.
What We Like:
- Hyper palatable to encourage eating
- Contains real protein
- Vitamin E
- Grain free
- Variety pack & made in the USA
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains wheat and by-products
Best Senior Cat Food for Weight Loss
- 90+% Of Protein Is Animal Based
- High Protein Optimizes Body Condition For All Cats
- Primary Ingredients Are Among The Highest Biological Value Proteins Available
- 100% Grain Free And Gluten Free Omega 3 Fatty Acids
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, dried egg product, pork protein isolate, gelatin, chicken fat
- Guaranteed analysis: 59% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture
- Caloric content: 554 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Senior
This dry low carb cat food is one of the few mainstream, non-prescription cat foods to offer 90% of its protein from animal sources. The high protein content of this food provides great fuel for an older cat struggling to maintain muscle mass.
In fact, it’s formulated to offer the highest biological value for protein available.
The 12% moisture content is so rare among dry foods. I love that you don’t have to worry about your cat getting dehydrated if you’re pivoting away from wet food because it’s too messy or unsatisfying for your aging cat.
This low-glycemic formula gets just 4% of its energy from carbohydrates. Catering to the needs of older cats as they become more susceptible to urinary issues with age, it has no-to-low oxalate to help prevent the common problems of calcium oxalate crystals and bladder stones.
I’ve actually seen several cat owners share that they’ve switched to this blend for their diabetic cats after learning that the formula was better than prescription diabetic cat food.
What We Like:
- Extremely high protein
- Low carb
- Grain and gluten free
- Simple ingredient list, no filler or by-products
What We Don’t Like:
- May cause GI issues at first, as it is very nutrient dense
Best Cat Food for Senior Cats for Sensitive Stomach
- Real chicken
- High in natural prebiotic fiber
- Proprietary Life Source Bits
- No wheat, corn, soy, or fillers
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, potatoes, chicken liver, whitefish
- Guaranteed analysis: 8.5% Crude Protein, 3% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 86 kcal/can
- Life stage: Senior
This wet cat food is so succulent and fragrant. I can see how it will be a breath of fresh air for a cat who has been struggling with tummy issues because it’s both easy to indulge in and easy to digest.
This ultra-smooth sensitive stomach cat food has prebiotic fibers mixed in to help feed healthy bacteria in the gut. Its hydrating qualities are great for stopping indigestion and constipation that are common when gut health is out of sync.
I also like seeing immune-boosting vitamins C and E in generous amounts in this formula because digestive issues in cats often have an underlying autoimmune issue.
The natural preobiotic fibers in Blue Buffalo’s wet food come from carrot, beets, and apples. While I don’t always love seeing starchy potatoes on the ingredient list, they do actually have a purpose in this recipe that goes beyond acting as filler.
Potatoes are full of a type of prebiotic called resistant starch that actually feeds the good bacteria in the colon to help heal the gut lining.
What We Like:
- Real chicken
- High in natural prebiotic fiber
- Proprietary Life Source Bits
- No wheat, corn, soy, or fillers
What We Don’t Like:
- Reliance on potatoes
Best Senior Cat Food for Constipation
- Quality protein as first ingredient
- High fiber, probiotics, prebiotics
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain and gluten free
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, lentils, peas, turkey
- Guaranteed analysis: 36% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 8% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture
- Caloric content: 425 kcal/cup
- Life stage: All stages
While this cat food for constipation isn’t specifically a senior blend, the breakdown of guaranteed analysis and ingredients makes it a perfect pick for an older cat suffering with chronic constipation.
That 8% crude fiber is rare in a dry (pellet) food. In addition to packing in tons of protein (poultry) to keep your cat healthy and energetic, this blend also gives special attention to the tummy using live probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids from DHA to support gut health.
Lentils, apples, broccoli, almonds, and pumpkins are full of natural prebiotic fibers that can improve a sensitive stomach by reducing hairballs and smoothing out digestion.
Surprisingly, these ingredients all somehow come together to make a flavor that’s irresistible to cats. I can’t tell you how many reviews I’ve seen from owners swearing that their finicky cats love this stuff!
My only hesitation with this food is its higher calorie count. While not a problem for cats at healthy weights, a cat suffering from weight and digestive issues may not be a perfect fit.
Of course, it’s hard to make a judgment from here because weight gain in cats is sometimes caused by poor digestion.
What We Like:
- Quality protein as first ingredient
- High fiber, probiotics, prebiotics
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain and gluten free
What We Don’t Like:
- The price
Best Low Phosphorous Senior Cat Food
- Low phosphorous, ash, magnesium
- High moisture
- Single protein source
- No grain, gluten, carrageenan
- First 5 ingredients: Beef broth, beef, pumpkin, sweet potato, potato starch, carrot
- Guaranteed analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 1.3% Crude Fat, 0.5% Crude Fiber, 86% Moisture
- Caloric content: 62 kcal/3 oz can
- Life stage: All stages
This grain-free wet food is something to have on your radar if your senior cat has any risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
Made from chunks of grass-fed Australian beef, this low phosphorous cat food features carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato full of antioxidants and healthy prebiotic fibers.
While the rich gravy format is appetizing, you can rest assured that your cat is getting satisfaction from a low-calorie, low-fat option that doesn’t skimp on essential protein.
Using this formulation is a much better idea than simply “halving” portions of other cat foods because you can lose completeness of vitamins and minerals when you do it that way. Each portion of Weruva TruLuxe is perfectly proportioned.
The high moisture content of this food becomes more important if your cat is skipping trips to the water dish as she ages!
While the price is obviously a little high on these cans, many cat owners use them as cheaper alternatives to prescription cat foods. Some reviewers have also turned to this appetizing option after their cats refused the taste of prescription low-phosphorus cat food.
What We Like:
- Low phosphorous, ash, magnesium
- High moisture
- Single protein source
- No grain, gluten, carrageenan
What We Don’t Like:
- Texture may not be for all cats
Best Cat Food for Older Cats That Vomit
- Hyper palatable
- Real, novel protein source
- Grain free
- Natural prebiotic fiber
- First 5 ingredients: Duck, liver, meat by-products, water, ocean whitefish
- Guaranteed analysis: 10% Crude Protein, 6% Crude Fat, 1.5% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture
- Caloric content: 87 kcal/can
- Life stage: Adult
This wet cat food for cats who throw up offers a good balance of protein and fat without any grains or fillers that could irritate their digestive tract.
Duck is notoriously easy on the stomach. It also has a distinct flavor and smell that cats go wild for! Reigniting that love of food can be so hard when a cat is constantly suffering after every meal.
With 25 essential vitamins and minerals, this wet grain-free food helps to quickly replenish nutrients and moisture that your cat may have lost through frequent vomiting.
One tip with this food to know if your cat tends to “gobble until full” is to divide a serving up over several portions that you feed her a few hours apart. This is also just a smart way to measure her tolerance for any new food if she has a history of food sensitivity.
What We Like:
- Hyper palatable
- Real, novel protein source
- Grain free
- Natural prebiotic fiber
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains by-products
Best Cat Food for Older Cats for Hairballs
- Real chicken is first ingredient.
- High in natural and prebiotic fiber
- Vitamin and omega fatty acids
- Senior cat formulated to support the heart, kidney, bladder
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, whole grain wheat, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, powdered cellulose
- Guaranteed analysis: 28.5% Crude Protein, 15.5% Crude Fat, 10.7% Crude Fiber, 8% Moisture
- Caloric content: 333 kcal/cup
- Life stage: Senior
This high fiber cat food packs in an impressive amount of protein while also delivering the fiber cats prone to hairballs need.
While you can’t always stop your cat from excessively grooming, you may be able to prevent injury and pain by feeding her a fiber-rich diet that allows hairballs to pass easily.
Dried beet pulp, apples, broccoli, carrots, cranberries, and green peas all contribute natural prebiotic fibers that help to support gut health.
In addition to helping cats to pass hairballs more frequently, these prebiotic fibers also nourish the healthy bacteria in the gut to improve overall digestive health and comfort.
I want to point out that this hairball control cat food isn’t just good because it’s good for hairballs.
While it may get your attention for being anti-hairball cat food, it’s packed with vitamin E plus, omega fatty acids, and special minerals meant to balance kidney and bladder health that make it as good as anything else you’ll find in the “regular” cat food aisle.
I personally like this food because it’s easy to consistently find either online or at the store without a big search.
What We Like:
- Real chicken is first ingredient
- High in natural and prebiotic fiber
- Vitamin and omega fatty acids
- Senior cat formulated to support the heart, kidney, bladder
What We Don’t Like:
- Just 1 flavor
Best Easy to Eat Senior Cat Food
- Easy to eat mousse texture in a pouch.
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free
- Formulated for older cats.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, pumpkin, dried egg, sunflower seed oil
- Guaranteed analysis: 12% Crude Protein, 3.8% Crude Fat, 1% Crude Fiber, 80% Moisture
- Caloric content: 76 kcal/pouch
- Life stage: Senior
This category is here because I’m constantly asked to provide a review for cat food for older cats with bad teeth.
This silky and smooth wet cat food (poultry) comes in a pouch that’s easy to serve. Its puree-like texture makes it basically like a meat-based cream of wheat for your cat!
I love that something so soft and easy to lap up contains so much real animal-sourced protein with essentially zero filler.
What We Like:
- Easy to eat mousse texture in a pouch
- Omega fatty acids
- Grain free
- Formulated for older cats
What We Don’t Like:
- Flavor not for all cats
What Qualifies as a Senior Cat?
“You’ll be the proud owner of a senior cat by the time it hits about 11 years old,” according to Ferguson Animal Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island.
While we often think that a single cat year is equal to seven human years, the truth is that cats actually reach age 16 in human years by the time they have their first birthday.
Every cat year after that is equal to roughly four human years. That means that a cat at 11 years old is approaching 60 years old in terms of health and wellness.
What if your cat turns 15 years old? In addition to being the equivalent of tuning 73 in cat years, your cat has also just become a geriatric cat.
“The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) consider cats between 11-14 years of age to be senior while geriatric cats are 15 years and older,” shares VCA Animal Hospitals.
How long is the average lifespan of cats? As PetMD shares, the average cat lifespan is somewhere between 13 years old and 17 years old.
Dietary Requirements of Senior Cats
Your cat is going to have different dietary requirements at different stages of their life.
Weight Maintenance and Calorie Intake
One of the biggest leaps in nutritional needs occurs as a cat moves from being a cat to an active adult cat.
Kitten foods are higher in calories and fat than adult cat food because cats are growing, developing, and bouncing around at high rates! Kitten food also has higher calcium and phosphorus to support the development of bones and teeth.
As cats pivot to middle age, they often need fewer calories due to inactivity. Once cats reach age 10, the need for calories creeps up again slightly to ensure that cats are getting the nourishment they need for brain, eye, and joint health.
Protein and Essential Nutrients
However, some things never change. A cat is an obligate carnivore at all stages of life. Due to the fact that they evolved as hunters, cats do best on diets that mimic the full-prey diet they’d get from eating small animals whole in the wild.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University shares that cats require more than a dozen nutrients that include vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.
Managing Health Conditions
It’s also sometimes necessary to do a drastic diet change if a cat develops a special health condition. Most health conditions that require dietary changes are impacted by protein levels, phosphorus, moisture levels, taurine levels, or allergens.
Here’s a rundown of some common feline health conditions that may necessitate dietary changes:
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Cats with CKD may have waste products and other compounds in the bloodstream that aren’t being properly eliminated by the kidneys. Decreasing protein, sodium, and phosphorus may help.
Diabetes: Cats with elevated blood glucose have a condition called diabetes mellitus. Age, obesity, and genetics can all play roles. Low-carb, grain-free diets are often recommended for diabetic cats.
Urinary Tract Issues: Infections, crystal formation, and diabetes can all cause urinary dysfunction in cats. Wet foods with high moisture content can help to relieve pain and discomfort.
Senior Food vs. Regular Cat Food
When you get into senior territory, cats need different things from other adult cats. Here’s what to look for in the best cat food for senior cats:
Digestibility
Seafood, duck, and other alternatives to red meat can be gentler on a cat’s stomach. Filler should also be avoided.
More Fiber
In addition to keeping a cat free from constipation, fiber in the form of natural prebiotic fiber from fruits and vegetables actually feeds healthy gut bacteria to keep a cat’s digestive system healthier.
Moisture
Senior cats are known to go on strike with the water fountain or bowl. If your older cat doesn’t like to get up to get a drink, a wet food with 78% to 80% moisture can help to prevent dehydration.
Nutritionally Dense
Every calorie counts when cats are eating smaller portions due to everything from lack of appetite to illness. High-quality senior foods scale nutritional content for smaller portions.
Easier to Eat
Most senior formulas are softer. In my reviews above, I cover some options that cats can lap up without any chewing. If you’re looking for dry food, smaller bits can sometimes be beneficial for cats who have trouble applying pressure with their jaws or back teeth.
Higher Enticement Factor
Many cat foods for older cats are full of delicious odors, rich textures, or appetizing gravies to entice cats who aren’t mesmerized by food any longer. Cats can go for a few days without food safely, but we don’t want it to come to that. Allure them with the good stuff.
How to Choose a Cat Food for Senior Cats
As you can tell from my reviews, the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list tell so much about a cat food’s quality and purpose. Don’t make a choice without scanning these! I also recommend buying food with AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) approval.
Finally, the thing I want you to take away is that every cat needs protein from a high-quality animal source. Fat is also important. While some cats need moderate fat content, it always needs to be there. It’s also important to go for filler-free food that is low in carbs.
If your cat has signs of early kidney disease, talk to your vet about switching to a low-phosphorus cat food. My final personal tip is to look for foods that are rich in omega fatty acids to help lower age-related inflammation that can slow your cat down.
The good news? My review list above makes it clear that you can get all of this from both wet and dry foods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food to feed a senior cat?
While the answer depends on the cat’s health history, I recommend a grain-free wet or dry cat food with protein from a real animal source listed as its first ingredient.
Is senior cat food actually better?
Yes! This is not just a marketing fad. The dietary needs of cats change at different life stages. Trying to keep your cat on the same cat food for life can put her at risk for obesity, diabetes, kidney failure, and a shorter lifespan. Revaluate your cat’s diet once she turns 7 years old.
Do senior cats need wet or dry food?
Both wet and dry cat food are great to feed! However, some senior cats will benefit from the ease of wet food if they have issues with their teeth or jaw. Additionally, wet food has a higher moisture content that can help to prevent dehydration or UTIs in cats.
Do I need to feed my senior cat with a senior cat food?
Only your vet can provide a concrete answer. However, the overwhelming opinion of vets and cat experts is that switching to a senior formula after around age 7 can help a cat to thrive by providing her with the right blend of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture needed as she progresses in age.
I’m Gary Hu, a proud cat dad to a 15 lb Maine Coon. Have taken care of outdoor and indoor cats for over 10 years, and learned tons on behavior, habits, health, and products. I help new Maine Coon (or any other cat) parents with common questions and issues based on real, practical experience.
