Chicken And Cranberry Cat Treats
Cranberries are thought to help reduce the risk of UTIs by lowering the urinary pH levels and preventing bacteria from sticking to the system. Hence, adding some cranberries to a cat treat recipe can not only brighten your cats day but may also help to keep UTI at bay!
Prep time: 20 minutes
- 1 heaping tablespoon dried catnip
- 1 large egg
Recipe Instructions:
What Affects Protein Digestion In Cats
If you want your cat to digest protein efficiently, you should consider the following factors:
- The quality of the meat in your chosen cat food, especially how the meat was processed.
- The number of meats being used in one cat food. Too much variety can overwhelm a cats sensitive stomach.
- The protein content of the meal along with the balance of other macronutrients.
- Whether the meat in your cats food mimics its natural prey. Could it catch this type of prey in real life?
- Your cats gut health. This can be influenced by other dietary ingredients, such as fiber and pre/probiotics.
- The age and health status of your cat. Felines have different protein requirements throughout their lifespan.
Chicken Soup For The Soul Weight And Mature Care Recipe
The Chicken Soup for the Soul cat food is an effective choice for older cats. This meal is a dry food designed specifically for cats in their senior years. Chicken soup for the soul has a crude protein percentage of 34%, with a main ingredient of chicken.
It is a simple, balanced and complete food meal that contains trusted ingredients and solid nutrition. This is a great-tasting recipe that your feline friends will love.
Try this pick from Chicken Soup for the Soul to help manage your cats weight.
Key Features
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How To Introduce New Food To Your Senior Feline
Lastly, remember the trick to introducing your kitty new foodSlowly and surely.
This is especially important for older kitties who probably have more sensitive stomachs to begin with.
A basic rule of thumb is to gradually adjust the ratio of old food to new food over the course of a week and a half or so. You may want to use this template as a guideline:
- Start by mixing 25% of your cat’s new food in with 75% of her old food .
- After 3 to 4 days, adjust the ratio to 50/50: half old food, half new food.
- After 3 to 4 days of this, adjust the ratio again so she’s getting 75% new food and 25% old food.
- Finally, after 3 to 4 days of 75/25, switch her fully to her new food. Watch her closely to make sure she’s tolerating the switch well, and talk to your vet if you have any concerns of how she’s responding.
Best Wet Cat Food For Senior Cats Kidney Health: Weruva Paw Lickin Chicken In Gravy Grain
High animal protein for strength and mobility
High moisture for hydration
Low phosphate and added calcium for kidney health
No grains or carrageenan for easy digestion
Familiar chicken protein source which senior cats will be used to and tolerate
Contains potato which raises carb content slightly
Too low in fat for underweight senior cats
Lets take a look at Weruva Paw Lickin Chicken in Gravy Grain-Free Canned Cat Food.
I chose this option due to the benefits relating to kidney health. This wet cat food is high in moisture and low in phosphate which helps maintain a senior cats kidney function and prevent deterioration. The product has close to a 1:1 phosphate: calcium ratio which may be optimal for kidney health and reduce the risk of kidney stones.
The main food source in the can is chicken which is a common protein source that senior cats are more likely to tolerate.
The downside of this product is the added potato starch, which raises the carbohydrate content slightly . This may not be a problem, but a diabetic cat may benefit from a lower carbohydrate choice.
Additionally, the fat content is a little low compared to what is optimal for senior cats. Fat helps provide more calories and higher fat wet canned foods help improve palatability for senior cats with a decreased sense of taste.
INGREDIENTS
Caloric Content: 57 kcal/3-oz can, 105 kcal/5.5-oz can, 192 kcal/10-oz can
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American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain
Our Top Pick for the Best Affordable Cat Food for Weight Loss: If youre looking for an affordable cat food option that will help your cat lose weight, this American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free cat food might work well. It is not specifically designed for weight loss, but it contains 40% protein and just 15% fat with less than 400 calories per cup. It features several lean sources of premium animal protein with grain-free, digestible carbohydrates and a minimum of 4% dietary fiber. This cat food is supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients as well as added vitamins, chelated minerals, and probiotics.
- Pros: Affordable price, high in protein with moderate fat, lean sources of animal protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, grain-free carbohydrates, chelated minerals, probiotics
- Cons: Could be lower in fat and calories, contains some plant protein
Overall Best: Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Salmon & Pumpkin In Broth Senior Wet Cat Food
In our review, the overall best Best Senior Cat Food is Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Salmon & Pumpkin in Broth Senior Wet Cat Food for its smooth texture, quality high-protein formula, and nutrient-rich antioxidants.
Older cats still need plenty of high-quality protein, and Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse delivers with salmon broth, salmon, and chicken as the first three ingredients. Pumpkin adds a natural source of antioxidants and digestive support. Added supplements round out the health-supporting formula.
Tiki cat delivers quality with non-GMO ingredients and a low carbohydrate formula. The mousse is a smooth texture that is easy for your senior cat to enjoy, and the formula is free of animal by-products and artificial colors or flavors. It is delivered in an easy-serve pouch.
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Adult 11+ Classic Salmon & Tuna Entre Canned Cat Food
This food is an excellent choice for senior cats that favor seafood as it is made from real salmon and tuna, though they have also snuck some meat by-products in there. It is also grain-free, which should be good for sensitive stomachs, however, some artificial flavors are a red flag as the chemicals in these can be problematic for older cats.
The resulting fish formula is relatively high in fat and calories, so portion control should be exercised. But even with the smaller portion, they should get all the nutrients that they need as it is enhanced with 25 essential vitamins and minerals plus taurine.
Pros
Solid Gold Fit As A Fiddle Grain
Our Top Pick for the Best Grain-Free Cat Food for Weight Loss: If you prefer to feed your cat grain-free food, this Solid Gold Fit as a Fiddle Grain-Free Adult Dry Cat Food is a great option. It is designed for weight control but is still loaded with healthy, high-quality ingredients like fresh Alaskan pollock, chickpeas, turkey, and chicken. This formula is grain-free to reduce the risk of food allergies and supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients. It contains a full 30% protein and just 8% to 10% fat and 9% fiber.
- Pros: Holistic recipe made with grain-free ingredients, weight control, high in protein and fiber, low in fat and calories, fresh fruits and vegetables, probiotics
- Cons: Some cats may be sensitive to chicken ingredients, no chelated minerals
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Best Cat Food For Older Cats
Though caloric content and protein counts are important factors, they arent the only figures that define a good cat food for older cats. Theres a little more to it and that, but well talk in more depth as we walk through each product pick.
When reading, remember that protein, fat and other macronutrient contents are measured as served. Wet foods typically list 5-10% protein content, while dry packaging reads 25-30% these ranges usually equate to roughly the same dry-matter protein content . Here are the best cat foods for older cats, providing a balance of protein, fat, and fiber that is perfect for seniors.
Dietary Recommendations For Cats With Kidney Disease
Once your cat has been diagnosed, its time to start treatment. Follow your veterinarians advice in terms of prescription medication and additional therapies but know that there will be some dietary management involved as well.
When it comes to treating kidney disease, one of your primary concerns is hydration. You need to increase your cats moisture intake to reverse the effects of dehydration and to restore healthy kidney function. Many cats dont like to drink water unless it is fresh, so buying a pet fountain could help encourage your cat to drink more. You can also introduce more wet food into his diet.
Another dietary change you may want to make is switching to a kidney-friendly cat food.
Here are some features often included in cat food for kidney disease:
- Higher moisture content
- Restricted protein
- Controlled phosphorus and sodium content
- Rich in water-soluble vitamins for optimal nutrition
- Supplemented with fiber and antioxidants
As you start shopping for commercial cat food for kidney disease, youll come across some veterinary diets. Be wary of these products because they are often made with highly processed ingredients and low-quality fillers. Just because they are expensive doesnt mean theyre good.
Your best bet is to look for a high-quality cat food designed for kidney support or simply one that meets the following requirements:
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Buying Guide: How To Choose The Best Wet Cat Food For Senior Cats
Unsure of what to feed your senior cat?
Cats are seniors at the age of 12 years of old. At this age, a cat experiences a range of changes to its health which influence dietary needs. This includes loss of smell, taste, reduced mobility, and kidney disease.
Unlike dogs, senior cats are prone to losing weight as they arent able to digest protein and fat as well. Between the ages of 10-15 years, a senior cat may lose one-third of its muscle mass.
In this buying guide Ill walk through the main factors youll need to consider when choosing wet cat food for seniors.
Lets get into it:
Raw Chicken Liver And Salmon
Raw chicken liver and heart homemade cat food recipe may not sound particularly appetising to you, but Mr Whiskers will definitely be drooling over this tasty homemade cat food recipe! Chicken liver and heart boast essential nutrients that your cat needs, including tons of vitamin A, vitamin B, minerals, iron and protein. With so many nutrients packed in a meal, this recipe is also suitable for kittens whore on a growth spurt! However, moderation is key when it comes to raw chicken liver consumption as too much of it may cause your cat to have loose stools.
Prep time: 10 minutes
- 700g raw chicken wings with bones and skin
- 100g raw salmon with bones
- 1 tsp taurine supplement powder
Recipe Instructions:
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At A Glance: Our Top Picks For Best Low Protein Cat Food To Buy
2000+
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, weve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. Youll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
- Cats like the flavor and texture
- Primarily made with animal protein
- Controlled phosphorus levels for kidney disease
- Formulated for cats with kidney disease
- Cats like the flavor and texture
- Fish oil as a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3s
- High-quality animal protein as the first ingredient
- Free from potentially harmful additives
- Controlled phosphorus and protein levels
- Formulated for cats with kidney disease
- Rich in biologically valuable animal protein
- Raw formula rich in moisture
- Restricted protein, phosphorus, and sodium content
- Limited number of highly digestible ingredients
- Supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids
- Primarily made from digestible animal ingredients
- Low carb content compared to many low-protein foods
- Free from potentially harmful additives
Hills Prescription Diet Kidney Care
Not only does this food contain low protein and phosphorus, but it also includes fish oil, which can have numerous benefits for your cat. Its also full of antioxidants and your cats shouldnt need any persuading to eat this food, its delicious.
This food is specifically formulated to help cats with kidney disease and comes in both wet and dry options. It protects the kidneys, provides nutrients and will give your kitty a nice little energy boost.
The best part, the nutrition of the Hills k/d is clinically tested to improve and lengthen the quality of life.
You will need a veterinary prescription for this food but your kitty will thank you for it.
Hills Prescription Diet Kidney Care Wet Food / Dry Food
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Aafco Crude Protein Requirements
AAFCO sets standards for pet foods in the United States. While compliance with AAFCO standards is not required for commercial pet foods, most veterinary nutritionists recommend feeding only diets that are AAFCO compliant.
These products will have a nutritional adequacy statement that states that the diet conforms to one of the AAFCO Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles or Feeding Protocols.
An example of the importance of AAFCO compliance is further illustrated by a discussion of protein analysis. The Guaranteed Analysis section of the pet food label contains the percentages of each of the following:
-
Crude Protein
-
Crude Fiber
-
Water
Crude Protein is determined based on chemical analysis of all nitrogen-containing sources in the food. Therefore, some non-protein-containing sources, such as urea, can be included in the crude protein content.
AAFCO states that not more than 9% of the crude protein in a diet should be pepsin indigestible, meaning that at least 91% of the protein content of AAFCO-approved foods should be digestible protein. Therefore, diets that do not follow AAFCO recommendations may appear to contain adequate protein based on the percentage of Crude Protein however, this protein may be largely indigestible.
Pet foods that are AAFCO-compliant adhere to more in-depth nutrient profiles that also include recommended amounts of amino acids such as taurine and arginine.
What Are The Signs Of Aging In A Senior Cat
Aging cats tend to experience weight loss.
Senior cats may have reduced mobility , lower appetite , and reduced grooming.
It is important to get frequent vet checkups. Up to two visits per year are recommended for senior cats.
A vet will perform a physical and medication examination which will help to provide your cat specific recommendations for diet. Some senior cats may need special diets depending on the circumstance .
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The Benefits Of Senior Cat Food
So, what exactly are the benefits of senior cat food and how can they help your senior cat in their golden years? Cat foods that are optimal for senior cats have the following characteristics:
- Enhanced antioxidant levels. Senior cats can benefit from antioxidants that provide extra support to their immune systems, which may be declining.
- Highly digestible ingredients. Your senior cats ageing digestive system will benefit from ingredients that are easy for them to fully digest.
- Adapted calorie levels. Optimized calorie levels help senior cats maintain an ideal body condition while supporting joint health.
- Higher protein. A higher protein diet helps older cats maintain lean body mass. Because some senior cats experience less efficient protein digestion as they age, dietary protein should be high quality and highly digestible.
- Healthy fats. Fats can be particularly difficult to digest for some senior cats, but theyre still an important part of their nutritional needs. Reduced-fat diets are not advisable for older cats.
Hills Science Diet Tender Tuna Dinner
While not marketed as therapeutic food for cats with renal issues, this food from Hills Science Diet does have relatively low phosphorus . Consult with your veterinarian to see if they think this is appropriate for your cat. No prescription needed.
Hill’s Science Diet Tender Tuna Dinner
You can limit phosphorus while still giving your kitty a delicious tuna dinner.
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Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels With Chicken And Chicken Liver
This food from Wellness isnt specifically designed for cats with renal disease, its grain-free, high protein, and relatively low-phosphorous recipe makes it an option for some. Its especially appealing to cats who like chunky foods. Your vet can help you decide if its right for your cat. No prescription needed.
Wellness Healthy Indulgence Morsels