This review of the best dry cat food for senior cats is a must-read. As our cat’s age, their dietary needs change too.
But there’s a challenge.
If your cat’s daily protein requirement is not met, your furry friend loses weight pretty fast. And because they are less active, high-calorie foods can as well lead to obesity.
That’s why you need to ensure that your cat’s diet is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a senior cat.
Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best dry cat food for senior cats :
- Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food
- Blue Buffalo High Protein Grain Free Mature Dry Cat Food
- Iams Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food
- Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult & Senior Dry Cat Food
- Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult 11+ for Senior Cats
Best Dry Cat Food for Senior Cats – 2022 Top Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food
Specially formulated for adult cats, this food has every nutrient your cat needs to thrive and stay healthy – even at old age. It is tender, crunchy, and full of flavor. Most cats love it.
Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food is 100% natural and has no fillers.
And because it is made with real chicken (which is the top ingredient), this food has all the proteins needed for strong and healthy muscles.
It is also fortified with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Many who have tested this product reported impressive results in just 28 days.
Their cats became healthier, the eyes were brighter, and the coats shinier. The teeth and gum too became noticeably stronger.
What We Like
- 100% natural – no artificial additives or flavors
- Made with real chicken as the top ingredient
- Results are notable within 28 days
- Flavorful and crunchy
- Promotes healthy teeth
- Shiny fur and healthy skin
What We Don’t Like
- Some customers reported that the smell of this cat food is not as palatable as they would prefer.
- SmartBlend of high-quality, Purina ONE cat food ingredients starts with real chicken, which provides protein for cats to support strong muscles, and has high-quality carbohydrates for healthy energy
- Is Purina ONE Tender Selects good for cats? The digestive health cat food supports a microbiome balance and contains prebiotic cat fiber for gut health and immune support
- Every high-quality ingredient has a purpose, crafting a natural cat food with added vitamins, minerals and nutrients that's made with 0 percent fillers and no artificial flavors or preservatives
- This digestive cat food contains four antioxidant sources for a strong immune system, vitamins A and E for bright eyes, and omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin
- Is Purina ONE made in the USA? Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend adult dry cat food is proudly produced in Purina-owned, U.S. facilities by Purina ONE, a veterinarian-recommended brand
2. Blue Buffalo High Protein Grain Free Mature Dry Cat Food
If you want to feed your furry friend with a recipe that has more proteins and fewer carbs, consider a grain-free diet.
They are also perfect for cats with allergies to carbohydrates.
Blue Buffalo has an entire product line of grain-free food for senior cats. These foods are a favorite among many cat owners.
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Mature Dry Cat Food is an all-natural protein-rich healthy meal specially made for the mature cat.
It has a unique and well-balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, and healthy carbs. And it has no artificial preservatives.
Your cat will be more playful, stronger, and healthier. Its fur will also be shiny and lustrous.
What We Like
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for a healthy coat
- Grain-free diet
- Contains healthy fruits and vegetables
- Rich in protein for strong muscles
- Easily digestible
- A unique blend of antioxidants and vitamins for improved immunity
What We Don’t Like
- Cat parents have mentioned that some individual pieces may be too hard for their senior cats with ailing teeth condition to bite through. You can choose to add some water to soften the food before feeding your cat.
- REAL CHICKEN FIRST: This Blue Buffalo cat food is made with real, high-quality chicken as the first ingredient
- FORMULATED FOR MATURE CATS: This dry cat food for mature cats contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to help maintain energy requirements for an active lifestyle
- IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT: This high-protein cat food contains exclusive, antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits
- HEALTHY, WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: This natural cat food is made with no chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and no corn, wheat, or soy
- Contains: One (1) 5-lb. bag BLUE Wilderness Natural Mature Dry Cat Food, High-Protein and Grain-Free, Chicken
3. Iams Proactive Health Adult Indoor Weight & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food
As your cat ages, he’s likely to spend a better part of their day indoors, sleeping.
This decrease in activity translates to lower energy and fat requirements.
Thus, the ideal diet for senior cat should be high in fiber, rich in protein, and lesser fat content.
Luckily, the IAMS Proactive Health Adult Dry Cat Food has what your cat needs.
It is made with real chicken and turkey for stronger healthier muscles. Plus, it has reduced fat content making it an ideal diet for indoor senior cats.
What We Like
- Lower fat content
- Real chicken and turkey protein
- 100% natural
- Reduces hairballs
- Perfect for weight management and weight loss
What We Don’t Like
- Morsels could have been bigger
- Quantity of corn could have been lower
- Complete and Balanced for Adult Cats: 100% nutrition, 0% fillers, this dry cat food supports whole-body health with essential nutrients and is enriched with antioxidants for a strong immune system
- Provides Hairball Care: IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH dry cat food is formulated with a proprietary fiber blend with beet pulp that helps reduce hairballs before they start
- Supports Healthy Weight: This adult dry cat food is formulated with L-carnitine to help your indoor cat burn fat and maintain a healthy metabolism so they can continue to live a happy life
- Nourishes a Healthy Heart: Packed with essential nutrients like calcium and potassium, IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH helps nourish a healthy heart for your cat
- Helping Keep Pets Healthy for Life: The IAMS brand believes all pets deserve the best nutrition to support them at every stage of life, which is why our portfolio of wet and dry food for kittens, adult cats, and seniors provides tailored nutrition for every cat’s unique need
4. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult & Senior Dry Cat Food
This is a nutritious and delicious meal for mature and aging cats. It is made with safe natural ingredients from trusted suppliers and farmers.
You don’t have to worry that your cat is being exposed to GMO products. This meal has no artificial coloring agents, flavors, preservatives, corn, wheat, and chicken by-products.
On top of that, the Nutro Wholesome Essentials formula is rich in protein.
Its top ingredient is chicken which provides the needed protein for healthy muscles.
It is also packed with healthy omega 6 fatty acids for a shiny coat.
That’s not all. You and I know that aging cats are at a higher risk of heart problems.
Luckily, this dry cat formula is rich in taurine to promote the good health of your cat’s heart.
And it also contains antioxidants to help promote your cat’s immunity to diseases.
What We Like
- Grain-free
- Quality ingredients used
- Ideal for senior cats with a sensitive stomach
- Taurine boosts the health of your cat’s heart
- Omega 6 fatty acids for soft and healthy fur
What We Don’t Like
- May cause smelly poop
- Real Chicken is the #1 Ingredient: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is made with real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- Quality Recipe: This dry cat food recipe is made with no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy protein and no artificial flavors or colors, although trace amount may be present due to potential cross-contact during manufacturing
- Healthy Digestion: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is made with natural prebiotic fiber to support healthy digestion
- Healthy Immunity: This dry cat food recipe contains essential antioxidants like Vitamin E and Selenium to support healthy immunity
- Healthy Heart: Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is crafted with essential nutrients like Taurine to help support a healthy heart
5. Hill's Science Diet Dry Cat Food, Adult 11+ for Senior Cats
To wrap up this list of cat food for senior cats is another popular diet. It is a healthy and nutritious all-natural diet made with the needs of senior cats at heart.
The Hill’s Science Diet Dry Cat Food for senior cats is fortified with natural fibers to aid proper digestion of food for aging cats.
Additionally, it has well-balanced minerals and nutrients to promote good kidney and bladder health. And taurine works well in preventing heart problems.
The kibbles are also small and soft enough for any senior cat to gobble effortlessly.
Your cat will be more alert, playful, happy, and healthy
What We Like
- Promotes shiny healthy coats
- Better digestion
- Rich in vitamins and minerals for healthy kidney and bladder
- Taurine promotes heart health
What We Don’t Like
- A few users reported constipation
- Essential taurine for heart health and balanced minerals to support kidney and bladder
- Easy to digest ingredients with natural fibers for healthy digestion
- Omega-6s, omega-3s, and vitamin E for beautiful skin and coat
- Made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust
- #1 Veterinarian Recommended
Bonus Pick: Rachael Ray Nutrish SuperFood Premium Dry Cat Food
Rachael Ray Nutrish Superfood Blends Dry Cat Food is crispy and crunchy delicious cat meal that is aimed at ensuring your senior cat lives a longer healthier life.
Its main ingredient is real chicken, raised on U.S. farms.
Chicken is a source of rich yet highly digestible protein perfect for your senior cats.
The formula contains zero chicken by-products, wheat, wheat gluten, or any other fillers.
This diet also includes salmon, menhaden fish meal, and chickpeas.
Salmon and menhaden fish meal contains DHA which boosts the alertness levels of your feline.
On the other hand, chickpeas are rich in plant protein that promote leaner stronger muscles for a healthy cat.
What We Like
- Easily digestible
- Perfect for weight control
- Encourages alertness and playfulness
- Boosts your cat’s immunity
What We Don’t Like
- Contains corn gluten
- Contains one (1) 14 Pound pack of Rachael Ray Nutrish Super Premium Dry Cat Food, SuperFood Blends (Packaging May Vary)
- Real chicken is the #1 ingredient plus real salmon
- Salmon & menhaden fish meal contain DHA, which helps support mentual acuity
- Chickpeas are high in protein & fiber, which help support strong muscles and optimal body weight
- Safely USA cooked with the world's best ingredients
How to Choose the Best Dry Cat Food for Senior Cats
Senior cats, between the age of 7+, are usually less active and are prone to obesity.
Some may even have difficulties digesting food. And their appetites may decrease too.
The main challenge is often in sieving out the best dry cat food from the pool of all options available.
Below we look at tips on how to choose the best dry cat food for senior cats.
- Higher Protein Diet
Go for options that have top-quality proteins as their main ingredients.
Senior cats need a higher amount of highly digestible protein to maintain healthy muscles.
- Rich in Antioxidants
Older cats are more prone to various infections.
Thus, choose a diet rich in antioxidants to boosts your feline’s immunity against these diseases.
- Healthy Fats
Senior cats are indeed prone to obesity.
But this doesn’t mean that you should do away with fats in their diets. Instead, ensure that the fats included are healthy animal-sourced fats.
- Enough Water
Due to the risk of kidney diseases, that may lead to increased urination, your cat must get enough water.
Provide fresh water for your cat to drink all day long. You can as well consider feeding wet foods to your senior cat.
- Rich in Fiber and prebiotics to promote better digestion
- Fewer calories because your cat is less active
- Contains easily digestible carbohydrates
FAQs on The Best Dry Cat Food For Senior Cats
1) Do senior cats need special food?
As your cat grows older, their nutritional needs will change.
If you are very particular with his health so your pet can live longer, you will give him “special food” which is an appropriate diet for his age and condition.
Senior cat foods must provide high-quality protein, less levels of fats, and tummy-friendly carbohydrates for easy digestion.
Because an aging cat is prone to bone and digestive problems, their choice of food intake is vital.
Over time, their sense of smell and taste will change and chewing is not as easy as when they’re younger so switching to senior food is essential.
2) At what age should cats eat senior food?
When your cat turns 7 years old, he enters senior age and his metabolic system changes.
This is the best year for you to shift your cat to senior food to avoid health problems and complications.
The reason for the switch is to maintain the right body weight and the prevention of acquiring chronic diseases associated with aging.
Some of these health issues are obesity, dental problesm, arthritis, infections, allergies, diabetis, urinary problems and more.
3) Should senior cats eat dry food?
When feeding your cat with dry food, the nutritional value must consist of at least 10% Fat and 28% Protein.
The amount of each portion should be determined by your vet based on your cat’s health condition.
Before reaching senior age, they are mostly given a high-calorie diet but during their 7th year onwards, it must be switched to a high-protein diet.
An all dry-food diet is not good since it lacks nutrients and may be harmful to your pet in the long run.
4) Can I mix wet and dry cat food?
Mixing wet and dry food for your cat is generally OK as long as you cat benefits from it.
When you mix food, you make the diet more palatable for your feline friend. When they like their food, it makes them drink a lot so that increases their water intake daily.
For your senior cats, mixing food can help them maintain good weight.
It is also cheaper when you combine them so that helps you save.
However, if your cat is on a prescribed diet, your vet will base the serving on your cat’s condition and assess the right proportion, or if mixing is applicable.
Final Verdict
Finding the best dry cat food for senior cats shouldn’t be a challenge now that you have all the information needed to make a wise decision.
All the diets reviewed above are great. But you cannot go wrong with the Purina ONE Tender Selects Blend Adult Dry Cat Food. It is natural, rich in protein, and low in calories. It has no fillers or artificial additives.
Hope this resource helps you reach a wise purchase decision. Happy hunting!
