Is it safe to give 4 year old cats food intended for mature cats ages 7 and up?

crawford81-

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I have two 4 year old cats and two cats that are turning 7. I have always fed them Hill's Science Diet (Adult 1-6 years) cat food. Since two of my cats are now turning 7 I will most likely have to change to the Science Diet (Mature adult 7+). My question is if it's safe to give my two younger cats the same cat food as my older cats? Thank you!
 

Willowy

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Senior foods are a gimmick and usually lower-quality than the regular adult formulas. But, no, it won't hurt a younger adult cat to eat it (it would be bad for a growing kitten), except for the lower-quality part. Do they get any canned food? As they get older, it gets more important for them to get enough fluids to keep their kidneys flushed out. www.catinfo.org
 
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vball91

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I agree with Willowy that senior foods are a marketing gimmick. After kittenhood, the nutritional needs of a cat remain the same unless there are health reasons. Cats are obligate carnivores who need high animal protein/low carb food, preferably wet. Most senior foods have higher carbs which provide less nutritional value. As kitties age, they may need fewer calories if they are not as active as they used to be, but barring specific health concerns, what they need to eat doesn't change.
 
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