What should I feed my 12-year-old cats?

melanmac

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My vet said I should consider putting my 12-year-olds (I have 2) on a senior cat food, but did not recommend a particular brand/formula. My head is spinning with everything I've read about cat nutrition lately (even just on this site). I've been reading a lot about not using commerical foods with grains and byproducts in them, raw diets, that wet foods are better on one hand but not good for dental health, that older cats require less protein due to potential kidney issues, etc. Any recommendations? I'm currently feeding them Purina Indoor and some canned food. 
 

just mike

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My vet said I should consider putting my 12-year-olds (I have 2) on a senior cat food, but did not recommend a particular brand/formula. My head is spinning with everything I've read about cat nutrition lately (even just on this site). I've been reading a lot about not using commerical foods with grains and byproducts in them, raw diets, that wet foods are better on one hand but not good for dental health, that older cats require less protein due to potential kidney issues, etc. Any recommendations? I'm currently feeding them Purina Indoor and some canned food. 

Did your vet recommend a senior diet for any particular reason? I have been unable to find any significant data that suggests different nutritional needs for senior cats.  If you are looking for less protein, you might want to look at a weight maintenance product.  I only suggest this if your cats are in good health.  Nutro Natural Choice puts out an Indoor Weight Management and an Indoor Senior product in both dry kibble and wet formulas.   Look at the protein percentages on the bags and then compare them with other brands vs what you are currently feeding.

The Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition suggest an 80% wet to 20% dry diet for optimal hydration.  However, if your cat drinks plenty of water, an all dry diet will suffice but remember that dry kibble is calorie dense.

I am not a person that knows much about the raw diet so I can't help you on that one.  My cats get about a 60-70% wet to 30-40% dry kibble and have never had any problems, including dental issues.  Good luck!!!
 
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melanmac

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I think the only reason he suggested that is because of their age. Maybe he wants to head off any potential future kidney problems by reducing protein?  They are healthy, perfect weight and still lots of energy. We do a senior wellness profile blood test every couple of years and everything has been perfect. 

Thanks for the thread space 1101 - some good links I will look at.
 

space1101

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I'm rethinking about this topic.  I have 3 senior cats.  3 vets also told me to give them senior or renal diet as well.  I recently went to vet because my 9 year old cat started limping last week, possibly arthritis, and blood test shows his cholesterol level is high, 328.  It was done 40 minutes after meal though.

I actually switched them from dry to wet/raw in the beginning of last year, and all three of them gained weight and have better appetite.  They don't throw up like when they were on dry any more, so I believe wet/raw is better choise in terms of nutrition, but I'm wondering if it could cause other health problems.

My other 2 cats are much older, but they don't have problem though.  All three have been on dry all their life until last year.  Now I'm not sure if the limp and high cholesterol are some kind of warning signs for this kind of diet, or maybe all I need to do is to cut back  a little and continue feeding wet?  

Now my head is spinning...
 
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