What’s the best way to feed older cats?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for feeding a senior cat. Just like people, every cat has their own preferences and needs. Some older cats may slow down and need fewer calories, while others may lose weight or interest in food and need extra encouragement at mealtime.
What matters most is choosing a food that supports their changing body, is easy to eat and digest, and makes them excited to come to the bowl!
Benefits of raw food for senior cats
Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried raw cat food is made in the USA with 98% meat, organs, and bone, and should be rehydrated with warm water or broth to achieve each cat’s perfect texture. Raw diets are naturally rich in nutrients that support lean muscle, joint comfort, oral & digestive health key areas of concern for older adult cats.
And since all of our recipes (except for kitten-specific meals) are formulated for all life stages, our raw cat food is perfectly suited for kittens and adult cats, too!
Is wet or dry food better for senior cats?
Wet food is often ideal for older cats who need more hydration, have dental issues, or are picky eaters. The soft texture and rich aroma of animal proteins that have been cooked in broth or gravy can rekindle interest in eating. But some senior cats still prefer the crunch of dry food, or enjoy a mix of both.
Stella & Chewy’s offers both soft and crunchy options, including high-protein and nutrient-dense freeze-dried raw morsels that you can hydrate to any cats’ preferred texture, wet foods (like savory shreds, smooth pâtés, and morsels in gravy) as well as dry options including raw-coated kibble or raw blend kibble (with extra freeze-dried raw pieces mixed in).
You can also soften a senior cat’s dry food with warm water (or use wet food as a topper) for an easier-to-chew kibble meal.
Do senior cats really need special food?
It all depends on your cat’s unique needs as they enter their golden years! Mature cats often benefit from certain nutritional adjustments, and your vet can help you make sure your cat’s diet is appropriate as they grow older.
The best foods for senior cats (whether they say “senior” on the label or not) offer:
- High-quality animal protein to maintain lean muscle
- Easily digestible ingredients and fiber for sensitive stomachs
- Moisture-rich meals for hydration and kidney support
- Calorie-appropriate formulas for weight gain or loss
- Omega-3s and antioxidants to promote brain, immune, and joint health
All Stella & Chewy’s cat foods are crafted to help cats thrive at every age, including older adult cats. Here’s how:
- Weight management: Our protein-based grain-free freeze-dried raw, wet and dry foods help preserve muscle mass, create satisfying meals that keep cats full and energized, and can help with healthy weight management .
- Digestive health: Freeze-dried raw and dry recipes are enhanced with natural probiotics for a healthy gut. Stella’s Solutions Digestive Support is a full meal or topper that supports digestive health with natural sources of fiber and enzymes, plus prebiotics and probiotics.
- Kidney & urinary health: Moisture-rich wet foods help with hydration, a key factor in urinary tract and kidney support.
- Joint health & mobility: Raw recipes include ground cartilage and bone (natural sources of calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin) to help keep joints limber and bones strong.
- Appetite & picky eating: The irresistible taste and aroma of freeze-dried raw and wet foods offer mouthwatering appeal to waning appetites and tempt highly selective seniors.
- Allergy control: Our cat foods are grain free and have limited ingredients—great choices for cats with food allergies, sensitivities or itchy skin. Stella’s Solutions Skin & Coat Support is a full meal or topper that supports skin and coat health with biotin, vitamin E, zinc and linoleic acid.
Made with only the good stuff, our recipes help your mature cat stay playful, purring, and well-nourished—no matter how many lives they’ve lived!
