Nutritional needs of geriatric cats – time for a change?

A number of age-related physiological changes respond to nutritional intervention, such as immune function and cognitive changes. It follows that tailored nutrition for senior cats is desirable.

Geriatric cats and diet

Aging is a complex, multifactorial process. Cats are generally considered senior when they reach 8 to 10 years of age.

A 2023 study led by the UK’s Waltham Petcare Science Institute used disease diagnosis data to define 5 life stages in cats (youth: 1-4 years; early midlife: 5-9 years; late midlife: 10-11 years; senior: 12-13 years; and super senior: 14+ years).

A cat’s physiology and metabolism alter as they age, with changes including increasing levels of pro-inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and loss of muscle mass and strength.

Evolving knowledge

Past studies have looked at the effects of a multi-nutritional supplement (including antioxidants, a prebiotic, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) on both longevity and quality of life.

Findings concluded that enhancing nutrition with the appropriate supplements can improve both quality of life and lifespan, when compared with a standard complete adult cat food.

A recent review from a team of researchers in New Zealand, published in Animal Frontiers this year, summarized publications on aging and nutritional requirements in cats, looking at evidence for specific nutrients which could be beneficial in age-related illnesses.

Decreasing digestive ability

Research shows that a cat’s ability to digest fat, and to a lesser extent protein, decreases with age. The 2024 Animal Frontiers review found that the format of the diet fed and the nutrient profile may influence the extent of this reduced digestive ability.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) advises reduced caloric intake for cats aged 7 to 11 years, but that cats over 12 years of age have increased daily energy requirements.

At the same time, medical conditions, cognitive dysfunction, reduced gastro-intestinal function and dental disease can all affect a cat’s food intake as they age.

Digestibility comes into play here, with highly digestible proteins and a calorie-dense diet being especially important in these cats.

Muscle wastage

A review article from 2020 published in Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice compared the nutritional needs of healthy cats against cats with conditions believed to be influenced by diet.

The author suggests that highly digestible diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can slow the progression of sarcopenia (age-related muscle wastage).

This study is cited and used in the 2021 Feline Senior Care Guidelines from the AAFP, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, which recommend puzzle feeders and toys alongside diet for preserving muscle mass (independent of illness).

The microbiome

It has long been acknowledged that feeding a phosphorus-restricted diet can improve survival times in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Similarly, canned diets are beneficial for improving hydration.

However, it has more recently been hypothesized that the gut microbiome could also play an important role in health and well-being during the aging process generally, and specifically in CKD.

A very recent review from the US, published in Veterinary Journal, looked at the importance of the gut-kidney axis in CKD, a common disease of elderly cats.

The authors propose that CKD is linked to dysbiosis (alteration of both microbial composition and function), which can worsen CKD, due to systemic inflammation and the accumulation of toxins.

The review concludes that dietary intervention, probiotics and preventing constipation may all prove beneficial in CKD.

Time for change

The typical ‘senior’ diet may be antiquated, introduced when cats only tended to live to around 12 years. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider senior diets, with a more tailored approach for each elderly life stage.

While further research is needed, better defined age clusters may well guide the key stages for nutritional alteration.

Nutritional intervention is likely to be more beneficial when implemented at the optimum time, before age-related changes begin.

The exception is specific therapeutic or ‘prescription’ diets, which should only be implemented once a specific condition has been diagnosed, and as advised by a veterinarian.

Nutrients with proven efficacy in cats

The Animal Frontiers review summarizes nutrients that have proven efficacy in aging cats, namely:

• Improved immune function: vitamin E, correct omega 3:6 ratios
• Cognitive function: vitamin E, vitamin C, arginine, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, folic acid, EPA and DHA
• Longevity: vitamin E, ß-carotene, linoleic acid, chicory root

Naturally, the recommended safe levels need to be adhered to.