Did you know that by the time your cat hits the age of seven, it’s technically considered to be a senior? It’s true because your cat’s nutritional needs shift when it starts aging. As its sole provider, you must provide your pet with a diet that supports these changing dietary needs. Food specifically designed for seniors is a fantastic place to start.
The pet food market is overwhelming, especially when it comes to senior food. Every brand has its own idea of how to approach senior nutrition, which makes deciding on a diet more complicated than it needs to be. But we can help.
We’ve researched the best senior cat foods in Canada to bring you the ten reviews below. Keep reading to find these reviews and a thorough guide on senior nutritional needs so you can make the most informed decision possible.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
Chicken; Chicken Broth; Chicken Liver; Potatoes; Pea Flour
Protein content:
8.0%
Fat content:
5.5%
Calories:
176 cal/can
The best overall senior cat food in Canada is Blue Wilderness’ Chicken Pate Mature wet food formula. This recipe is made with real chicken to support your old cat’s muscles and is formulated with DHA and taurine to support your cat’s cognition and heart health. It also contains chicken liver for a boost of iron and vitamin A and fish oil that your kitty needs to support its cognitive functioning and skin health. The pate has a smooth and palatable texture that many seniors will find irresistible. In addition, since this is wet food, it will boost your mature kitty’s hydration to ensure its hydration levels are met.
The food comes in a pack of 24 5.5-ounce cans but is quite pricey.
Pros
Contains taurine for cognitive health
Boosts skin health
Highly palatable
Boosts hydration levels
Cons
Expensive
2. IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Senior Cat Food – Best Value
The best senior cat food in Canada for the money comes from IAMS. Their Proactive Health Healthy Senior formula is a dry food that features chicken as the first and main ingredient. This recipe contains many essential nutrients your senior needs, such as calcium and phosphorus to support its joints and bones. It is made with an amino acid called L-carnitine to ensure your kitty maintains a healthy weight. Its high protein content supports strong muscles and gives your senior the energy it needs to play well into its senior years.
The kibble has a broad flat disc-like shape which may be difficult for senior kitties with sensitive tummies to digest.
Pros
High in protein
Supports healthy joints
Encourages a healthy weight
Provides energy for play
Cons
Kibble size and shape may be hard to eat
3. Royal Canin Aging 12+ Cat Food – Premium Choice
Water Sufficient For Processing, Pork By-Products, Chicken Liver, Brewers Rice Flour, Wheat Gluten
Protein content:
8.5%
Fat content:
2.5%
Calories:
122 cal/can
Royal Canin’s Aging 12+ formula is our Premium Choice as it may be on the pricier end, but it may be more than worth the cost for some seniors. This food is designed to support aging joints thanks to its high levels of fatty acids and the inclusion of glucosamine and chondroitin. In addition, the formula has controlled levels of phosphorus to encourage kidney health. The low phosphorus level is perfect for aging kitties who may be at risk of kidney disease. The tender loaf in a sauce is easy on the gums and teeth.
Some cats may not find the smell enticing enough to eat.
Chicken, Brown Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Oats, Pea Protein
Protein content:
30.0%
Fat content:
13.0%
Calories:
439 cal/cup
Hill’s Science Diet’s Senior Vitality formula is the best for senior cat food in Canada. This kibble features a unique blend of ingredients that will support energy, brain function, and vitality in cats over seven. Including vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids ensures your senior kitty maintains its soft and healthy coat. The ingredients are easy to digest and were chosen specifically for a senior cat’s sensitive tummy. In addition, the blend of antioxidants and vitamins work together to support your senior’s immune system.
There are some reports of consumers having issues with the kibble size and texture. It may be too large for some seniors to eat comfortably.
Pros
Supports brain function
Promotes coat health
Easy to digest
Immune system support
Cons
Kibble may be too large
5. Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Salmon & Tuna Entree Cat Food
Salmon, Liver, Water Sufficient for Processing, Meat By-Products, Soybean Oil, Chicory Root
Protein content:
10.0%
Fat content:
7.0%
Calories:
107 cal/can
Purina Pro Plan’s salmon and tuna entrée is a tasty wet food made with real salmon as its main ingredient. It features a proprietary blend designed to improve and extend the lifespan of your senior kitty. Its protein-rich recipe promotes lean muscle mass and helps ensure your kitty maintains a healthy weight. The formula includes antioxidants like beta carotene and vitamin E to support your pet’s immune system. The delicious pate is highly digestible and palatable.
This food is available in packs of 24 cans, each with 85 grams. Unfortunately, the can size is rather small and may mean you need to feed your kitty more to ensure it’s getting the nutrients it needs.
This kibble recipe from Wellness provides your senior kitty with the optimal balance of protein and fat. It contains real deboned chicken as the main ingredient and is formulated with joint supportive ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin. The recipe is crafted to support your senior pet’s entire well-being, providing the energy necessary for play and the ingredients needed to encourage strong teeth and healthy eyes. In addition, this kibble provides skin and coat support thanks to the inclusion of omega-fatty acids in the ingredient list.
If your cat isn’t wild about dry food, you may want to skip this one. There are many reports from consumers that their cats simply would not touch this food.
Pollock, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Yellow Peas, Green Lentils
Protein content:
38.0%
Fat content:
14.0%
Calories:
3,454 cal/kg
This kibble from Nulo is ideal for seniors as it gets 78% of its protein from poultry and fish sources. The recipe is grain-free and doesn’t feature carb-heavy ingredients like white potatoes. The formula is designed to help your senior maintain a healthy weight, and the probiotics will support the digestive process while simultaneously boosting your kitty’s immune system. This recipe is complete and balanced and includes fatty acids and antioxidants for whole body health.
This kibble does have a strong scent which may be a turn-off for some cats.
Pros
Real pollock as the first ingredient
High in animal protein sources
No carbohydrate-heavy ingredients
Supports a healthy weight
Cons
Strong scent
8. Nutro Wholesome Senior Formula With Chicken & Brown Rice
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Pea Protein, Whole Brown Rice, Chicken Fat
Protein content:
36.0%
Fat content:
17.0%
Calories:
3,743 cal/kg
Nutro Wholesome’s Senior Formula is fortified with the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your senior cat needs to thrive. Chicken is the first and main ingredient to provide the high-quality protein source necessary for lean muscle. This formula contains taurine to support your senior’s heart health and antioxidants to boost its immune system function. There are zero GMOs, artificial colors, or preservatives in this recipe, so it’s something you can feel good about offering your pet.
The kibble may be too large and hard for cats with dental issues to chew normally.
Pros
Contains taurine for heart health
Real chicken is the first ingredient
Boosts immune system function
Zero GMOs
Cons
Kibble may be too large
9. Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging Chicken & Brown Rice
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
Protein content:
32.0%
Fat content:
15.0%
Calories:
3,692 cal/kg
This recipe has been formulated to support the health of your senior kitty. It features real deboned chicken as the first ingredient and a host of wholesome whole grains and veggies to ensure your kitty gets the right balance of proteins and carbohydrates to keep active well into its senior years. The recipe contains taurine for heart and eye health and is made without artificial flavors or preservatives. The formula features Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits – a unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins that veterinary nutritionists recommend to support your kitty’s immune health and promote a healthy oxidative balance.
The kibble may be too small for some senior cats to chew comfortably.
Pros
Features taurine for heart and eye health
Perfect balance of carbs and protein for seniors
No artificial flavors
Supports immune health
Cons
Kibble is rather small
10. Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse With Chicken and Pumpkin in Broth
Tiki Cat’s Velvet Mousse formula for seniors features real chicken as the main ingredient to give your mature kitty the protein it needs to thrive. In addition, this recipe is naturally high in moisture for cats who may not be drinking as much water as they should be. The formula has been specially designed to meet the nutrition needs of senior cats with antioxidants and high-quality proteins, while also maintaining a texture that is simple to eat.
Though the food title would have you believe it is a mousse-type texture, it arrives a bit thicker than expected. Keep this in mind if your cat prefers a more velvety texture.
Pros
Texture is easy for seniors to eat
Promotes a higher water intake
Real chicken is the first ingredient
Promotes maintenance of muscle mass
Cons
Not quite mousse
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Senior Cat Food
Senior cats have different nutritional needs than their kitten and adult cat counterparts. So you shouldn’t keep feeding them the same food they’ve been eating since they were a year old when they’re well into their senior years. They need a special diet that supports their aging bodies and is easy for them to eat. Keep reading to find all the things you must consider while you shop for the best food for your senior.
Diet Requirements for Senior Cats
As with humans, cats’ bodies change as they start to age. As a result, they become more vulnerable to medical issues and certain diseases, but proper nutrition can help mitigate the risk of your kitty developing some conditions and diseases. Here are some of the most essential nutrition factors to consider while hunting for the best food for your mature kitty.
Energy and Calorie Requirements
Cat’s energy and calorie requirements will initially decrease once they hit their senior years at around age seven. But, at around 11 years of age, their energy requirements will increase because as cats age, they may start having problems digesting macronutrients like fats and proteins. If the caloric intake is not increased once your cat hits the 10-to-12-year mark, progressive weight loss may result due to the loss of lean body mass.
Protein
Senior cats need a higher protein diet to help them maintain their lean body mass. You do not want your kitty to lose muscle mass as it ages because it may put them at increased risk of illness or death. Dietary protein contains several amino acids like arginine and taurine that your cat needs to thrive but cannot produce on its own.
The protein source should be high quality and highly digestible to ensure optimal digestion and absorption. The best proteins for older cats include chicken, turkey, tuna, beef, and salmon.
Dietary Fat
Dietary fats are derived from animal fats and seed oils and are necessary for cats of all life stages. However, when your kitty is around 11 or 12, its ability to digest fats efficiently begins to decline. Since fats are more calorically dense than proteins or carbohydrates, they can affect your senior kitty’s ability to get the energy it needs from its food.
Senior cats should have moderate to high fat levels in their diet. The exact amount of fat for your cat will depend on its body condition score. Generally speaking, thinner cats need more fats to maximize their calorie intake, while chubbier kitties can do with less fat.
Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are essential to a senior cat’s diet because they can help prevent some of the health conditions seniors are prone to.
Many older cats will suffer from arthritis, so ensuring they have enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet can help treat this condition.
Feline cognitive dysfunction is another condition that older cats can develop. It is similar to dementia in humans. However, research suggests that omega-3s can reduce the effects of dementia in dogs. Though no studies prove the same in cats (yet), it doesn’t hurt to ensure your cat’s diet is rich in omega-3s anyway.
Antioxidants & Vitamins
Senior cats can also benefit from enhanced antioxidant and vitamin levels to ensure their immune systems receive the support they need to work efficiently.
Diets rich in antioxidants and other supportive compounds like vitamin E and beta carotene can reduce oxidative damage and even impair cognitive functioning.
Hydration
Hydration is often a struggle for older cats as they may not realize when they’re thirsty. Wet foods are your best option if you know your senior cat isn’t drinking as it should. You should also set out extra water bowls throughout your home so it’s always available when the need to drink hits your kitty.
Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock
How Much Should I Feed My Senior Cat?
We don’t usually recommend going by the feeding chart on the side of your kibble bag on the label on your canned food as they typically overestimate how much you should be feeding. Instead, consult your veterinarian to receive a specific portion recommendation for your cat’s current size and weight.
When Is My Cat Considered a Senior?
Most vets consider a cat a senior once it turns seven years old. However, once your kitty hits age 10, many vets will use the term “geriatric.”
The term geriatric is used in human medicine to distinguish folks who are of advanced age and require special care. So don’t fret if your vet refers to your kitty as geriatric, as it simply means that your kitty will need special health considerations to continue having a good quality of life.
Feeding Tips for Senior Cats
Feeding older cats isn’t much different from feeding their younger counterparts, but there are some things you should keep in mind to make feeding your senior cat a little easier.
Give them smaller portions more frequently. Your kitty may feel overwhelmed when presented with a large food portion at meal time, so offer them slightly smaller portions a few times per day.
Serve food at room temperature. Food that’s too cold will make it difficult for your senior cat to taste and smell the food as it should. If you’re feeding canned food, take it from the fridge up to two hours before mealtime to allow the food time to return to room temperature. You can also microwave your cat’s food to make it more aromatic and enticing. Ensure you’re heating it in a microwave-safe container and check the temperature before serving to prevent mouth burns.
Avoid overfeeding. As we mentioned, talk with your vet to find the perfect portion sizes for your senior kitty. Obesity is too common in cats and will make your cat less mobile and more sluggish in its golden years, not to mention putting them at risk of developing conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
Take it easy with treats. A senior cat’s digestive system will become more sensitive over time. Too many treats or human food can wreak havoc on the digestive process.
Supplement as necessary. If your cat isn’t getting the nutrition it needs from diet alone, your vet may suggest supplementing its diet with various vitamins or minerals. You’ll want to speak with your vet about this as it’s not something you should take into your own hands. Too much of any substance won’t be good for your sensitive senior kitty.
Final Thoughts
The best overall senior cat food in Canada, Blue Wilderness Mature combines a protein and moisture-rich recipe senior cats need. Your best value option is from IAMS due to its affordable price and joint and weight support. Our Premium choice is Royal Canin’s Aging 12+ as it provides the perfect nutrition for geriatric cats. Finally, Hill’s Science Diet’s senior kibble supports your pet’s immune system and brain function.
The pet food industry can feel overwhelming, but we hope our reviews have helped you narrow your options. Give your senior cat the best golden years by providing the nutrition it needs to thrive.
Our writing team consists of practicing veterinarians and vet technicians, animal trainers who specialize in animal psychology, and people who care deeply about the well-being of all animals, big and small.
