KatKin is suitable for all lifestages, including senior cats, but the approach to switching them to a new diet might be a bit different than switching a kitten.
If your senior cat has gone off their food, or is struggling to maintain or even put on weight, KatKin could help.
If your senior cat doesn’t have a history of GI concerns, then following our standard switching tips will be the way to go.
Want to know if KatKin is suitable for a senior cat instead? Head here to read our help article.
If your cat has a history of GI conditions
For older cats who are more stuck in their ways, or need a gradual transition to a new food while their stomach adjusts, slowly introducing KatKin alongside their current food will be the best option.
Introduce a few spoons of KatKin next to their regular food (not mixed in). Try an 80/20 ratio at first, and slowly increase the amount of KatKin over the course of a few days.
Stick to our leaner recipes, such as Cluck or Gobble, as these will be gentle on their stomachs to begin with.
Our trays can also be split into more than 2 portions, so feel free to feed smaller portions, more often. Spoon a small amount of food from the morning tray for breakfast, and feed the rest at lunch, then do the same in the afternoon and evening.
Tip! An open tray of KatKin can be left in a tupperware in the fridge for 2 days.
If your cat has limited sense of smell
It’s common for older cats to lose their sense of smell as they age. As a result, food may not smell as enticing to them as it once did.
We can help boost the smell of their KatKin by warming it up in the microwave on a microwave-save plate or adding hot water to their bowl. Warming their food to around 37 degrees mimics the temperature of prey and might help trigger their appetite.
If your senior cat has fewer teeth
There’s several ways for a cat to pick up and swallow food, and surprisingly, cats often don’t use their teeth to do this.
As a result, cats with fewer teeth should still be able to switch to KatKin. Texture will play a big part, and it might take a bit longer to work out the texture your cat prefers.
Trays of KatKin are naturally quite chunky pieces of meat, but don’t be afraid to grab a fork or spoon, and make the pieces smaller and easier to chew. Maintaining some chunks of meat from their tray might help your cat grasp the food with their tongue.
Some cats may prefer a smooth, more pâté-like texture, which you can achieve by mushing up the meat with a fork and adding some water.
For arthritic cats
Senior cats, or cats with arthritis might not be able to travel to their bowl, even if they’re hungry. Try placing their bowl of KatKin next to where they rest. Feeding a cat in a brand new spot also has the benefit of resetting their expectations around food.
Some cats might also prefer to use a raised bowl to eat from too, as it reduces the strain on their joints.
Our recipes are balanced and complete, thanks to our nutrient mix. Cat parents of arthritic cats might also look into adding additional joint supplements to food, which can often help to promote mobility, aid stiffness and support joint function. We’d always recommend speaking to your vet first about which supplements would be beneficial for your cat.
Senior cats and weight concerns
If your cat needs to put on some weight, or you’re concerned about maintaining their current weight, our calorie calculator in your account will help you work out the right amount of food they need to reach their ideal weight.
If you’d like more advice about your cat’s weight concerns, please get in touch with our Cat Experts and they’ll be happy to help.