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In worst-case scenarios your cat may not have long left. There is thiaminase in raw fish that could break down an essential B vitamin called thiamine in cats.
A raw-foods diet has been shown to have many benefits for senior cats.
What not to feed your aging cat. Reasons for weight loss in older cats include a decrease in nutrient digestibility a reduced ability to smell and taste hence a less avid appetite and a higher incidence of dental disease. Unlike humans and dogs cats seem to have a decreased ability to digest carbs fats and protein as they dip into their second decade. But thats not true for all cats a point that remains a mystery.
That will increase the odors that attract cats to eat. An older cat who cant smell very well anymore is often unlikely to eat. Add smelly things like tuna juice to their food or consider trying a different flavor of their favorite foods.
There are also medical appetite stimulants your veterinarian can try but if you can get your cat to eat on their own that is even better. Feline Food Offender 1. Human-grade sushi is generally safe for people but it can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats says Dr.
There is thiaminase in raw fish that could break down an essential B vitamin called thiamine in cats. Thiamine deficiency can cause neurological problems and even lead to convulsions. Cats should not eat onions garlic shallots chives or other foods that contain thiosulphate a compound that can cause serious problems.
When enough is eaten the thiosulphate causes destruction of their red blood cells. Many health conditions including urinary tract problems obesity and diabetes can be prevented by feeding a high-moisture high-protein. Catching something that is causing your cat to lose weight or not eat early will be beneficial to their overall health in the long run.
Encouraging Eating Once you have gotten all of the test results back eliminating any health conditions as the cause of your cats weight loss you can begin the process of encouraging them to resume a healthy level of eating. No water just dips her nose in it and gets startled. People with terminally sick cats often ask me whether their pet is in pain.
In many cases like this one it is not possible to. Sometimes your cat may need some persuasion to eat. This could mean feeding it with your finger or a teaspoon.
Do this gently and regularly until your cat starts to feel betterwhen the treatments start working. Ensure however that you do not continue once the cat starts to feel better or your cat may always come to expect to. Your cat needs to eat high quality protein specific levels of fat and amino acids and key minerals and vitamins.
Food tailored to meet the nutritional requirements of senior cats contains all of the nutrients they need and will also contain ingredients that support their joints and immune system as well as being easier to digest. Your old cat may not be able to eat because his teeth are aging and it will end up with his kibbles being too hard to chew. Lack of Flavor If the flavors are too intense or it lacks taste then he may be disinterested or disgusted by your food similar to humans who cant eat if they dont like the taste.
Clean and freshen water bowls regularly to eliminate built up debris that may deter your cat. Feeding more canned food will also increase water intake. Whats the right mix of protein phosphorus and sodium.
Protein is a critical nutrient for maintaining good physical health in the face of aging. In healthy mature cats providing the same high proteinlow carbohydrate option. What to feed your older cat As your cat gets older its a good idea to feed them a diet made specifically for senior cats.
Many popular brands provide special food for elderly cats tailored to meet their precise nutritional needs including higher levels of good quality protein. Your vet can advise on the correct diet for your cat. As cats age and reach 11 to 12 years of age both caloric and protein intake should be progressively increased by a factor of 11 to 16 which is a 10-60 increase to maintain muscle mass and prevent the sarcopenia of aging.
If your cats always eating in places that make her legs ache after jumping or in places that have scary sounds shes probably not going to be too eager to eat regularly. Over years and years of eating cat dishes start to take on an unpleasant smell especially when the dish is full of wet food.
A nice washing can do the trick but. Dont feed your cat too many calories. About 50 calories per kilogram per day is enough for the typical indoor cat Michel says.
Adjust that up or down depending on. All of these issues do require medical care so take your elderly cat to the vet as soon as possible. The health of senior cats is more fragile and early diagnosis and treatment can help extend their lives to the fullest.
Most illnesses can be cured or managed with appropriate treatment. In worst-case scenarios your cat may not have long left. A raw-foods diet has been shown to have many benefits for senior cats.
If you keep your cat lean thats going to keep it healthier longer. Indoor cats live a lot longer than outdoor cats. There was a study done at Purdue a few years ago that said indoor-only cats live 25 times longer than outdoor cats or indooroutdoor cats.
The Quality of the Protein You Feed Your Cat Is as Important as the Quantity. The quality of the protein you feed your senior cat is of utmost importance. Highly digestible and assimilable protein coupled with high moisture content is the type of nutrition that causes the least amount of stress on your kittys aging organs.
If your cat is blind try to keep your cats environment as stationary and consistent as possible including litter boxes and furniture Dr. To avoid disorienting or startling a blind cat do not pick him up unless necessary and call his name before approaching him. Give a deaf cat a point of view.
You should approach a cat with hearing problems from the front rather. Your cat might struggle to eat dry food which could lead to weight loss if no alternative is available. Feed your cat softer food and take it to the vet for a dental checkup.
Cats become more vulnerable to illness in old age. Your senior cat may develop conditions such as. Ensure your cat has a quiet stress-free place to eat.
Be sure younger cats or other household pets are not harassing her when she eats. Pet your cat and talk softly to her as she eats but only if it does not disturb her. Feed balanced veterinarian-prescribed homemade diets.
Ask your veterinarian about short-term use of appetite stimulants.