Caring for a senior cat can be stressful, as we watch their bodies change with age. For some cats, aging means they develop a more sensitive stomach than they once had. If your senior cat has a sensitive stomach, our Pittsboro vets are here to provide advice on the best food you should be feeding them.
When is a cat considered a senior?
People often think one "cat year" is equivalent to seven "human years", but this isn't quite true. Instead, it's generally accepted that a cat's first year is similar to the development that would occur in a human by the time they reach 16 years old.
So, a cat at two years old is more similar to a human between 21 and 24 years old.
After that point, one "cat year" is equal to roughly four human years (for example, a 10-year-old cat is like a 53-year-old human; a 12-year-old cat is like a 61-year-old human; a 15-year-old cat is like a 73-year-old human, etc.) You'll be the proud owner of a senior cat by the time they hit about 11 years old.
If your cat lives beyond 15 years of age, they'd be a "super-senior". When caring for older cats, it sometimes helps to think of their age in human terms like that, and therefore you can adjust your care accordingly.
What happens as my senior cat ages?
Cats experience many behavioral and physical changes as they age, just as we do.
While aging in cats is not a disease in itself, keeping your vet up to date on changes in your senior cat's body and personality will go a long way to ensuring they receive the most comprehensive wellness care possible.
Particularly, your senior cat may be less active than they were when they were younger, and you will have to adjust their diet so that they do not gain weight. Conversely, if your cat develops a sensitive stomach as they age, they may begin to lose weight as they avoid their food, knowing it will upset their gastrointestinal system.
Signs Your Cat May Have a Sensitive Stomach
If your cat displays any of the following symptoms, it’s possible they have a sensitive stomach.
These symptoms include:
Vomiting: While cats may occasionally vomit hairballs, frequent or chronic vomiting can indicate a sensitive stomach.
Diarrhea: Loose or liquid stool is a common symptom of a sensitive stomach. However, any changes in bowel movements could be a signal.
Lack of Appetite: Cats with sensitive stomachs may not want to eat or may eat less than usual, because they know eating the food will upset their stomach.
Weight Loss: Unexpected weight loss can occur if the cat isn't eating well due to stomach issues.
Excessive Gas: Flatulence can be another sign of a sensitive stomach.
Other signs include licking their lips, fever, and lethargy. If your cat is displaying any of the above symptoms, get them to the vet. While a sensitive stomach could be the cause, you want to be sure they aren’t happening because of something more sinister.
How do I help my senior cat with their sensitive stomach?
After you’ve been to the vet and they’ve run some diagnostic tests to ensure there is nothing else wrong with your cat, your vet may suggest you switch your senior cat to a sensitive stomach cat food. These cat foods usually have limited ingredients, allowing them to avoid some of the additives that could be upsetting your cat’s stomach.
Best Senior Cat Foods for Sensitive Stomachs
There are three main types of food you can feed your sensitive tummy senior cat.
They are raw food, wet food, and dry food.
Raw Food
Raw cat food is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and is easy for cats to digest. It also doesn’t have artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers often found in commercial cat foods that can potentially upset a sensitive stomach. However, before you start your cat on a raw food diet, consult your veterinarian. Raw food is more susceptible to bacteria and pathogens and bacteria than other food that has been processed more.
Wet Food
Wet cat food is easy to digest because of its softer, moist consistency. It also provides additional hydration, which is important for not only digestive help, but urinary and kidney function. Cats commonly suffer from kidney problems as a result of not getting enough hydration throughout their life, so feeding wet food is a good way to combat that.
Dry Food
Dry kibble is the most common way to feed a cat because of its ease, availability, and how long it lasts. Unfortunately, dry food isn’t the best option for cats with sensitive stomachs. There are limited ingredient kibbles that can be purchased should you choose to, but the dryness of food itself may be difficult for your kitty to digest.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.