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When should I start feeding my cat senior food?

Last Updated: September 09, 2010

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For most cats, we see changes related to aging at about 7 years of age. At this time, cats may overeat and become overweight. Switching to a senior pet food that is lower in calories may prevent this. However, many cats over 12 years old may have impaired ability to digest the protein and fat in their diets. This, combined with failing senses of taste and smell, can result in weight loss and decreased food intake in very old cats. If you have an old cat that has a difficult time maintaining body weight, you may need to feed a canned diet that is stronger smelling and more digestible to ensure he is meeting his nutrient needs. Be sure to consult your veterinarian to rule out underlying disease processes as well.

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