Best Cat Food For Mature Indoor Cats

Hills Science Diet Indoor Adult Chicken Recipe Editors Pick

The Hills Science Diet Indoor Adult Chicken Recipe is the best cat food for older cats aged 11 years and over. With its new and improved formula, it caters to the needs of senior kitties a lot better.

So, what are these sweet changes? Chicken meat is still the number one ingredient, followed by a healthy blend of complex carbohydrates. These carbs will give your elderly kitty a quick boost of energy.

Adding to that is an antioxidant blend derived from apples, cranberries, and carrots. That aside, natural fiber sources are also added into the mix to aid digestion, reduce hairball formulation, and help minimize litterbox smells.

To make it even healthier, Hills Science beefed up its formula with a range of essential vitamins and minerals to further improve the overall health and vitality of your pet.

All of Hills Science Diet formulas are designed without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The company manufactures its foods only in the USA facilities. Their success in delivering delicious and healthy recipes are reflected by the immeasurable number of satisfied pet parents.

However, its recipe does include whole grain wheat and corn gluten meal. While these two ingredients arent necessarily harmful, in the end, the decision is yours to make.

Blue Buffalo Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food Chicken & Brown Rice 7

$ as of February 13, 2022 7:29 am

Features

• REAL MEAT FIRST: Blue Buffalo dry cat food always features real meat as the first ingredient High-quality protein from real chicken helps your cat maintain strong muscles Plus, it contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit
• HAIRBALL & WEIGHT CONTROL: Made with natural fiber sources including cellulose and psyllium seed husks to help control hairballs. It’s formulated with an optimal blend of protein and calories to help your cat achieve and maintain an ideal body weight
• WITH LIFESOURCE BITS: This formula contains BLUE’s exclusive LifeSource Bits – a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists, to support immune system health
• NATURAL CAT FOOD: BLUE dry cat food is made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals It never contains chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives
• Contains one 7-lb. bag of BLUE Indoor Hairball & Weight Control Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice

Nutritional Requirements For Adult Cats

Before we explore the best senior cat food options for more mature felines like Hootie, lets first take a look at the specific dietary requirements for adult cats. Andrea Fascetti, Ph.D., VMD, a veterinary nutritionist and professor at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California, says that compared to other mammals, cats have some unique nutrition requirements.

Scientific research has shown that cats have obligatory requirements for nutrients that are not essential for many other mammals, she says.

Turns out our feline friends have good reason to be finicky.

No matter their age, cats require protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and waterbut they require some very specific amino acids and vitamins, according to the National Research Council Committee on Animal Nutrition . Heres what they recommend for each nutrient:

When it comes to selecting a particular diet, Dr. Fascetti says that quality does differ across various brands, but a consultation with your veterinarian can help you choose the right one for your individual cat.

The vet knows you, knows your situation, and will be able to help you pick a diet thats right for you, she says. There are certainly good products at every levelgrocery store, pet store, veterinary officethat can be used to healthily support a cats dietary needs. Theres no reason why somebody shouldnt be able to find a good quality cat food.

You May Like: Funnel Chest Cat

Hills Science Diet Senior Dry Cat Food

Hills Science Diet is among the best cat food for senior cats because it actually offers a staged senior dry cat food plan.*

There is one food for senior cats aged 7+ years and one for senior cats aged 11+ years.

Plus, there are two recipes for each age category: senior cats aged 7+ years can choose from Indoor or Active Longevity.

And senior cats aged 11+ years can choose from Indoor Age Defying and Age Defying.

So you can choose the recipe which best matches your cats age and lifestyle.

Tiki Cat Senior Mousse Chicken Grain Free

The TIKI PETS wet cat food offers the assurance of grain-free nutrition with its tender meat formulation as the primary ingredient. The meat is either chicken or fish or a combination of both the ingredients.

The cat food is formulated keeping in mind that cats are carnivorous in nature. It also includes an easily digestible egg and has a smooth and silky texture.

The cat food also includes crude fat and crude fiber apart from crude protein. The food additionally has more than 50% moisture content and offers balanced nutrition with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

There are no processed plant proteins, wheat, rice, corn or potatoes. This cat food does not make use of any fillers, artificial flavors, preservatives or colors and meat by-products.

Pros: Ensures hydration of cats with maximum moisture content, easy to eat for cats with swallowing problems.

Cons: May not be affordable if you have many cats as one packet is for just one feed.

Recommended Reading: What Is A Normal Heart Rate For A Cat

How Much Food Should I Feed My Cat

This is a difficult question to answer because the amount of food a cat needs to function varies significantly from cat to cat. However, there are some basic guidelines you should follow.

• Twice a Day

Its important to feed your cat twice a day, and it is important to feed them at the same time each day. Cats like a schedule and really dislike being off schedule. If you want to keep Felix happy then you will be sure to stick to the schedule. Additionally, feeding your cat twice a day is good for their digestive health. Like humans, cats do better when they get more than one meal per day. Even if your cat likes to graze, it is important to refresh their bowl twice a day to stick with a schedule.

• Portion Control

One of the top health issues cats face is obesity, particularly indoor cats with their lower activity level. So it is important to implement portion control. For example, some cats will always eat all the food that is available to them, it is part of their nature after all! To avoid this, you want to make sure that you institute strict portion control for your cat.

But how much is too much, and how little is too little? This depends on many factors such as your cats age, their current weight, how active they are, and if they are pregnant or nursing. Lets use an average non-pregnant cat as an example:

• Weight: 10 pounds
• Activity Level: Average
• Calories Needed: 200-300

Is Senior Cat Food Necessary

And as our cats age, their nutrient requirements change too. Senior diets, for example, are generally lower in calories but higher in fiber, and often have supplements specific to this life stage such as joint support and antioxidants. Forgo all life stage pet food for senior pets, says Dr. Vogelsang.

Recommended Reading: What To Do If A Cat Hisses At You

Purina Pro Plan Focus Salmon & Tuna

The Purina Pro Plan wet cat food has been prepared keeping your senior feline in mind with protein as its core ingredient. The cat food encompasses an easily digestible formula and optimum fat levels. Apart from protein, the food contents include crude fiber, crude fat and several vitamin supplements.

The cat food offers extra care and nutrition for your cat to have an active and healthy life with 25 minerals and vitamins apart from taurine and guar gum in each serving. It is also loaded with minerals like potassium chloride, manganese sulfate, ferrous sulfate, potassium iodide and copper sulfate. The cat food is available as 3oz. cans in four variants of chicken & beef, ocean whitefish & salmon, salmon & tuna and turkey & giblets.

Pros: Easy on the stomach and digests without any problem because of the highly digestive formula.

Cons: Contains added colors, meat by-products and artificial flavors and is not recommended for cats below seven years of age.

Amazoncom Gift Card In A Black Gift Box

• Gift Card is nested inside a specialty gift box
• Gift Card has no fees and no expiration date
• No returns and no refunds on Gift Cards
• Gift amount may not be printed on Gift Cards
• Gift Card is redeemable towards millions of items storewide at Amazon.com
• Scan and redeem any Gift Card with a mobile or tablet device via the Amazon App
• Free One-Day Shipping
• Customized gift message, if chosen at check-out, only appears on packing slip and not on the actual gift card or carrier

Also Check: How To Draw Cat Realistic

Blue Buffalo Freedom Indoor Recipe Grain

Like all cat foods from the Blue Buffalo brand, this canned cat food is made from high-quality meat, without meat by-products. It is also from a single source, rather than using a mix of animal meats. This can be easier to digest for cats with sensitive stomachs. For the same reason, the formula is grain-free and uses sweet potato as its main carbohydrate.

The resulting recipe is higher in calories and fat than many of the other food for seniors, so be careful about portion size. The formula also has a lot of added vitamins and minerals to ensure that your senior cat gets enough of them. It is particularly high in taurine, which is essential for your cats eye and heart health. Natural fiber from berries makes it highly digestible.

Pros

How To Transition Your Senior Cat To New Food

Making adjustments to the food your senior cat eats is important for their health and wellness, but try not to make the change too quickly. Sudden dietary changes can upset your cats stomach. Instead, transition in the new food slowly over the course of seven to 10 days. You can start by mixing 25% of the new food with your cats current diet and slowly increase the ratio as your kitty adjusts.

Recommended Reading: How Many Calories Should My Cat Eat A Day

Why Did I Choose Wet Cat Food Not Dry Food Senior Wet Cat Food

As our feline babies get older day by day, their muscles begin to weaken and coats begin to shed. So, with high protein, taste, and a great digestive system, wet cat food is the perfect choice for senior cats.

Veterinarians say that older cats often suffer from kidney and bladder diseases because they hate water. So, to find that extra moisture and hydration, wet canned cat food is purposefully beneficial. Plus, if the senior kitty has any tooth missing, then it will be easy for them to easily eat and digest.

In addition, for the soft texture and gravy, canned wet foods seem to be tastier than dry kibble foods. So, even if your senior kitty is a picky eater, then you dont have to worried about these. I have picked some very delicious and nutritious senior cat foods after a long research jump into review time.

Best Senior Cat Food For Older Cats

Updated: March 16, 2021 by Kristen Chapple

While I will always think of my cat as my little kitten, as she is now in her 13th year, I have had to accept that she is getting older! From about the age of 11, I noticed her slowing down and spending less time outdoors.

I also noticed that she was much fussier with her food and regurgitated her meals more often. I consulted my vet, and they told me that now that she is older, her nutritional needs have changed.

If you also have a senior cat and you are looking for the right food to keep them healthy and happy in their older years, fear not, I have done all the research, and found what I believe are the best senior cat foods for older cats.

To know which one is right for your cat will depend on their particular age issues. Read on to find out more about how cats nutritional needs change as they get older, and to find the right food for your senior cat.

But I prefer the Blue Buffalo recipe because it is made only with quality meat, and no meat meal or by-products, which naturally contains more of the nutrients that my cat needs. While I appreciate the way that cat food are enriched with extra nutrients, I want her to get as much of her nutrients as possible from natural sources.

Don’t Miss: How Old Is 20 In Cat Years

Purina One Hairball Weight Control Natural Dry Cat Food Indoor Advantage

as of February 13, 2022 7:29 am

Features

• 16 lb. Bag – Purina ONE Hairball, Weight Control, Natural Dry Cat Food, Indoor Advantage
• Real turkey is the #1 ingredient, and each serving contains 38% protein
• Weight control dry cat food helps your cat maintain a healthy weight and minimizes hairballs
• Antioxidant blend helps provide immune support for cats
• Purina ONE is veterinarian recommended

Nutro Core Wholesome Essentials

The Nutro Core dry cat food is made using non-GMO ingredients and contains chicken protein as its key ingredient. It also has natural fiber to assist in proper digestion. The Omega-6 fatty acids give your mature feline a lustrous coat and healthy skin.

The cat food includes whole brown rice, brewers rice, wholegrain oatmeal, pea and potato proteins, plain dried beet pulp and fish oil. The food also consists of amino acids, vitamin extracts, flaxseeds, minerals, antioxidants, rosemary extract and natural flavors.

It is free of artificial colors, preservatives and flavors as well as chicken by-products, wheat, corn and soy protein. The dry food can be given along with wet food by reducing its quantity appropriately.

Pros: Suitable for mature cats with a sensitive stomach, has no meat by-products.

Cons: Must be stored in a dry and cool place after sealing the bag tightly to retain freshness.

Don’t Miss: Why Does My Cat Attack Her Tail

Nutro Senior Indoor Cat Dry Food

This premium quality Indoor Senior Cat Food is available in two flavors chicken and brown rice and fish and brown rice. The two recipes have real animal protein as their major ingredients with the carb and fiber also coming from whole grain brown rice.For improved immunity, both recipes are fortified with antioxidants and valuable nutrients such as taurine for a healthy heart.The nutrient-rich real chicken contains healthy fat for your older kittens skin and coat alongside fish oil for the omega-3 fatty acids. Theyre both supplemented with chelated minerals to ensure maximum nutrient absorption. The tons of natural ingredients in both recipes help to guarantee a natural flavor that only a few cat foods for seniors can compete with.Why we like this food….

It has a high-quality animal protein as the main ingredient.

Rich in Omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, antioxidants for improved immunity, and taurine for a healthier heart

However, please bear in mind…

It contains grain and may not be ideal for cats with stomach problems or grain allergies.

Best Organic: Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Organic Turkey Recipe

Castor & Polluxs ORGANIX canned cat food is grain-free and certified organic. It contains no artificial preservatives, added growth hormones, antibiotics, chemical pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers.

Its ingredients include organic turkey, chicken, and chicken liver, as well as brown rice and a blend of superfoods like flaxseed, coconut flour, dried egg, and cranberries. This wet food also contains omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy skin and fur, plus extra fiber to help control hairballs.

Also Check: Cat Tail Fracture

Best Overall: Royal Canin Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food

If you want the best cat food for an indoor, adult cat, Royal Canins dry food is a great option. Their food is designed for healthy cats between the ages of one and seven it contains all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Among other things, this cat food has fiber to help control hairballs, protein to help with digestion, and essential minerals to slow the formation of tartar. Some of its main ingredients are chicken meal, corn, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, wheat, and chicken fat. With its moderate calorie count, this Royal Canin food is perfect for adult house cats.

Hills Science Diet Adult 11+ Healthy Cuisine Canned Cat Food

This is a great choice if you are looking for a mostly natural diet for your older cat. It provides good quality protein primarily from muscles and organs, and couples this with vitamins and minerals found naturally in fruits and vegetables. There are also no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. The resulting recipe is low-calorie, however, it does contain grains, which can cause stomach issues for some older cats.

It is great that the recipe is all-natural, but it means that there are no additional probiotics to aid in your cats digestion. However, the formula is high in fiber, so hopefully, this is not essential.

Pros

Also Check: How To Tell Cat Gender

Blue Buffalo Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food Meaty Choice

Pros

Cons

• More expensive than other options

Blue Buffalo is a brand that is dedicated to quality in every sense of the word. Known for their top quality natural ingredients, Blue Buffalo started out as a small niche pet food company in 2002 and has since rocketed up the ladder to the top of the natural pet food industry. Blues specially formulated Indoor Health dry cat food ticks all our boxes and is our staff choice for best cat food for indoor cats.

Nutrition & Ingredients

Its always good to see real meat as the top ingredient and this dry cat food doesnt disappoint deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient providing the bulk of the kibbles 32% protein. This special formula is tailored to suit the needs of an indoor cat with L-carnitine to help manage weight as well as notable vitamin-filled natural antioxidants and fiber sources like cranberries, blueberries, spinach and kelp. Of course Blues dry food for indoor cats also includes their trademarked Lifesource Bits that promote a healthy immune system, amongst other healthful benefits. All-natural and providing about 400 kcals per cup, cat parents can rely on Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Adult Dry Cat Food to provide adult indoor cats with a nutritious well-balanced diet.

What Are Buyers Saying?

The Bottom Line