With the improvement of living standards, the life span of cats is getting longer and longer. When I was a child, I still remember that cats in rural areas basically do not live to be 10 years old. If they are over 10 years old, they are considered longevity cats. But today's pet cats often live into their teens, and some even approach 20 years old. The increase in the lifespan of cats is a good thing for owners, but it is also something that needs to be more worrying! After all, the physical condition of old cats is not as good as that of kittens, and there is not much room for choice in food. Below, Qupet.com will summarize for everyone what foods old cats should eat!

A cat’s digestive ability gradually decreases as it ages. When it is 11 to 12 years old, a cat’s ability to digest fat begins to decrease. And because fat produces much more calories than protein and carbohydrates, the decline in fat digestion will have some impact on cats' adequate caloric intake. To make matters worse, about 20% of cats over the age of 14 will have reduced protein digestion. Putting these two situations together, when cats are old, even if they eat a lot, their bodies will become weaker due to lack of sufficient digestion ability!

In addition, most elderly cats will have a certain degree of arthritis and kidney disease. In addition, advanced age also increases the production of free radicals in cats, which can change and damage the chemical structure of cells.

What foods should older cats eat?

Based on the above conditions, the best food for elderly cats has the following characteristics:

1. High antioxidant properties, such as vitamins A, C and E, β-carotene and selenium, etc., these substances can offset the damage of free radicals;

2. Food contains lower phosphorus, which can protect the kidneys. High-quality protein contains less phosphorus than low-quality protein;

3. Enough protein to maintain the cat’s muscle mass, and additional carnitine (an amino acid) will also help in this regard;

4. Fish oil and other essential fatty acids can counteract the effects of cat brain aging and promote cat joint health;

5. According to the cat’s physical condition, old cats should eat more fat. Especially some very thin cats need to eat a lot of fatty food to ensure their survival, while obese cats can eat less fat. some;

6. Finally, but also very important, you must find the food with the cat’s favorite taste, which can stimulate the cat’s appetite.

The above is a detailed explanation of the characteristics of some foods that elderly cats should eat summarized by Qupet.com

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. We have not listed specific foods, because in fact, according to each of the aboveYou will have many choices. I hope everyone’s cats can have a healthy old age!