Older cats tend to lose their sense of smell and taste. This can make them more picky as they age.
You may notice that your cat seems to have gotten picky in her old age. Picky as in she picks up a piece of kibble in her mouth and then drops it. That doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't like the food, but it's a good sign that her mouth is the gateway to gums that are red, inflamed and swollen.
If your cat suddenly becomes very finicky after not previously displaying that kind of behaviour, or appears to be losing weight you should talk to your vet. Sometimes behaviour that appears fussy can be caused by an underlying medical reason like a dental problem, a digestive upset or hairballs.
As they age, the sensitivity of senses like taste and smell (among others) are thought to decline. Both senses are important drivers of appetite, which is why it can be challenging to encourage older cats to eat the food they need to help maintain their body weight.
Cats can become fussier as they age. Wet food is closer to a cat's natural diet so may be more appealing to a senior cat who has lost their appetite.
Intensive growth 2-4 months. This is the naughty stage of the kitten development chart when your kittens start to show their true colours! An important stage in kitten growth, the personalities of your kitties will come forth during this time making it one of the most endearing stages of kitten development.
Cats are juniors until the age of 2, and like human children, may start to show a different temperament between 6 months and 2 years old, even progressing from the (sometimes) defiant 'Terrible Two's' to becoming a stroppy teenager!
As a cat ages and becomes less active, its need for food naturally decreases. Feeding a highly palatable food with a strong odour in smaller amounts across a day will help to maintain a healthy food intake for an aging cat. Wet food may be easier for an older cat than dry food.
Switch Up the Diet
If your kitty is being picky, Dr. Fox suggests switching up the protein source you're feeding them. “Switch it up from the usual chicken and tuna to something like duck, venison, or turkey,” she says, since “cats appreciate different flavors in their diets.”
Cats are notoriously finicky eaters, so even if your cat was eating one type of food just fine for months, it's possible he suddenly no longer likes the taste of it. Heinze says that some kitties are sensitive to the shape or texture of food as well, and they may want wet food one day and dry kibble the next.
A cat's loss of appetite often indicates illness and is a medically significant symptom. Therefore, it is important to monitor your cat and if the behavior lasts for more than a day you should call your vet immediately.
Disliking the Food
The most common cause of a cat losing interest in food but acting normally otherwise is simply that she doesn't like the food. If it is new food or if she has been eating the same food for a long time, she may decide to be picky about what she eats. This is normal—but it can be frustrating!
According to the kitten growth chart at Raising Happy Kittens, your kitty may become less affectionate during this time. But not to worry. Usually, cats start to mature and settle down after the eighteen-month mark, and by their second birthday your cat will have fully grown into their adult personality.
While many cats will eat their food (eventually), others are finicky and it's tricky to get them to eat. The good news is there are ways to get even the fussiest cat to eat. Before incorporating the following suggestions, check in with your veterinarian.
You'll be the proud owner of a senior cat by the time it hit about 11 years old. If a cat lives beyond 15 years of age, it'd be a "super-senior". When caring for older cats, it sometimes helps to think of their age in human terms.
Senior cats need some extra attention. Here are a few tips to make your senior cat comfortable and happy. Place resources (food, water, litter boxes, bedding) in multiple locations where your cat can easily access them. If your cat is having trouble jumping to favorite high surfaces, add steps or ramps for access.
Many older cats develop dental problems that make chewing kibble difficult. Wet food is easier for many senior cats to manage, and the increased moisture content is important for digestion and kidney health as well. If your cat insists on dry food, try using moisture-rich wet food as a topper.
Fancy Feast range is a complete food for adult cats, whilst they have options for kittens as well. They do not have cat foods for senior cats. This includes the 'Senior 7+' option which is only listed as suitable for adult cats. Only the Fancy Feast classic pate and flaked wet foods are suited for all life stages.
Senior cats, age seven and above, should maintain the same feeding regimen. "Once cats reach adulthood, once a day feeding is fine as long as they are healthy and have no disease problems suggesting a reason to feed differently," says Dr. Kallfelz.
In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms.
The answer is clear when you realize that the average lifespan of an indoor cat ranges from 10 to 20 years, whereas cats who go outdoors typically live only 2 to 5 years. Cats who are allowed to roam outdoors face huge safety and health risks, and sadly, some pay for that freedom with their lives.
The average lifespan for a pet cat is probably around 13 to 14 years. However, although their lifespan varies, a well cared for cat may commonly live to 15 or beyond, some make it to 18 or 20 and a few extraordinary felines even pass 25 or 30 years of age.