This Is the Best Senior Cat Food. We Checked.

Not every senior cat needs special food, but you may notice some changes in your pet’s appetite and energy levels as they age.

Senior cats are more vulnerable to kidney issues, and their metabolism may not be as efficient as earlier in life. So, at the least, older cats benefit from extra hydration and vitamins. Cats with dental issues also appreciate soft food since it is easier to eat.

Important supplements for your senior cat include vitamins B6 and D, fiber, calcium, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. You can give these nutrients to your cat through enriched foods or by adding supplements to her diet.

In addition to enriched senior cat foods, raw food can be an excellent diet for elderly cats as long as it’s served with plenty of water. If you lean too heavily on dry food as your cat ages, it can cause problems in the long run.

Cats need to eat to stay healthy. If your older cat has lost a significant amount of weight, try new foods but also take her to the vet. There are health complications that cause weight loss in older cats, including hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arthritis, and renal failure. The sooner you catch them, the easier they are to address.

In this review we’ll take a look at the best high-quality cat foods that will help keep your aging pet happy and healthy for as long as possible.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Senior Cat Food

#1 Overall Best: Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Senior Wet Cat Food

In our review, the overall best senior cat food is the Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Senior Wet Cat Food for its smooth texture, quality high-protein formula, and nutrient-rich antioxidants.

Older cats still need plenty of high-quality protein, and this food delivers with salmon broth, salmon, and chicken as the first three ingredients. Pumpkin adds a natural source of antioxidants and digestive support. Plus, added vitamins and minerals round out the health-supporting formula.

This food delivers quality with non-GMO ingredients and a low carbohydrate formula. The mousse is a smooth texture that is easy for your senior cat to enjoy, and the formula is free of animal by-products and artificial colors or flavors. It is also delivered in an easy-serve pouch.

The only drawback to this product is that some customers have reported that their pets don’t like it.

Pros and Cons of the Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Senior Wet Cat Food

Overall Best

Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse Senior Wet Cat Food

• The smooth texture is easier for senior cats to eat
• High-protein formula
• Includes nutrient-rich antioxidants
• The first 3 ingredients are salmon broth, salmon, and chicken
• Pumpkin provides antioxidants and digestive support

Check Chewy

2. Best for Joint Health: Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Wet Cat Food

Older cats often need a little extra support for their aging joints, which is why we recommend the Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Wet Cat Food.

This food is is scientifically crafted to support healthy aging and overall well-being in your aging cat. The added glucosamine and chondroitin nurture your pet’s joints, and omega fatty acids from flaxseeds benefit their skin and coat health. It also contains taurine to support the immune system, as well as vitamins and minerals for all-round good health.

The recipe is 100% free of grains, carrageenan, or artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. Plus, the wet formula helps keep your cat hydrated. 

Although this product comes as a tasty pate formula, some customers have reported that it is quite sticky and not the texture they expected.

Pros and Cons of the Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Wet Cat Food

Best for Joint Health

Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Wet Cat Food

• This wet food is scientifically formulated to support your cat's healthy aging
• Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
• Omega fatty acids from flaxseeds promote skin and coat health
• This wet formula provides vital hydration
• 100% free from grains, carrageenan, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors

Check Chewy

3. Best Whole Prey Ratio: Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

For a meal packed with whole prey you can’t go wrong with the Ziwi Peak Rabbit and Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food.

Ziwi Peak is a high-quality brand that uses free-range proteins sourced from New Zealand. Their formulas follow a “whole prey” ratio which mimics your cat’s natural diet of fresh meat, bones, and organs. 

This nutrient-rich formula includes green-lipped mussels, a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine for mobility, joint, and bone support. Ziwi Peak does not include TSPP, BPA, or carrageenan in its canning process. The high-protein, moisture-rich formula is also free of potato, soy, or other cheap fillers your cat doesn’t need to thrive.

Ziwi’s holistic approach is suitable for all life stages and breeds. It delivers peak nutrition and quality ingredients. Organic kelp is added as a natural source of minerals and antioxidants to improve your cat’s metabolism, reduce inflammation, and protect his heart and brain. Taurine and vitamin supplements are added to further fortify the formula.

However, this food is an expensive option compared to some of the other options and the list, so it may not be for everyone.

Pros and Cons of the Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

Best Whole Prey Ratio

Ziwi Peak Rabbit & Lamb Recipe Canned Cat Food

• Made with free-range proteins sourced from New Zealand
• The formula's whole-prey ratio mimics your cat's natural diet
• Includes green-lipped mussels, a source of chondroitin and glucosamine
• High-protein and moisture-rich
• Free from cheap fillers like potato and soy

Check Chewy

4. Best Freeze-Dried: Stella & Chewy’s Yummy Lickin’ Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

As the best freeze-dried option we suggest Stella & Chewy’s Yummy Lickin’ Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food.

While raw food comes with risks, cats in the wild would eat only raw foods, and fruits, vegetables, and grains would be partially digested in their prey’s stomach. Freeze-dried raw food delivers pure, concentrated nutrients your cat can digest. Stella & Chewy is one of the top raw food brands for cats and dogs.

Mimicking a diet your cat would eat in the wild, the recipe includes salmon, chicken, plus organs and bones. Taurine is added as an essential nutrient for your pet heart health, and probiotics support digestion.

These raw foods are all-natural and minimally processed with no added hormones, antibiotics, grains, or fillers. More importantly for your senior feline, it is 100% complete and balanced for every life stage.

These freeze-dried raw cat food morsels should be rehydrated with cool or warm water before serving it to your older cat because getting sufficient moisture is crucial. Instructions say never to cook the food before serving, including adding hot water.

Unfortunately, this food is expensive, and some customers have reported that their picky eaters do not care for it.

Pros and Cons of Stella & Chewy’s Yummy Lickin’ Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

Best Freeze-Dried

Stella & Chewy's Yummy Lickin' Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food

• This freeze-dried raw food is closer to what cats eat in the wild
• Includes concentrated nutrients your cat can digest
• Stella & Chewy is one of the leading raw food brands for cats and dogs
• This recipe is made from salmon, chicken, organs, and bones
• Taurine, an essential nutrient for cats, and probiotics for digestive support are added

Check Chewy

5. Best for Digestion: Solid Gold Tropical Blendz Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Looking after the digestive health of your older feline is always important, and that’s why we recommend the Solid Gold Tropical Blendz Grain-Free Canned Cat Food.

This holistic, grain and gluten-free wet food is specially crafted for cats of all life stages, including seniors. Formulated with lean and tasty chicken and tuna, this food is free of fillers like corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, meat by-products, and preservatives. Several nutrient-dense superfoods such as carrots, pumpkin, and spinach are added to provide natural vitamins and nutrients your cat can digest.

As part of your cat’s diet, coconut oil can benefit her immune system, reduce hairballs, soothe arthritis inflammation, improve bad breath, and help with a healthy stomach. Therefore, this food contains coconut oil to support the overall good health of your cat. However, not all cats like coconut so this food may not be suitable. Also, it’s important to remember that a grain-free diet may not be suitable for all cats either.

Pros and Cons of the Solid Gold Tropical Blendz Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

Best for Digestion

Solid Gold Tropical Blendz Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

• This wet formula is made with coconut oil to promote a healthy immune system, ease arthritis inflammation, and more
• Holistic formula
• Grain-free/gluten-free
• Formulated with chicken, tuna, and nutrient-dense vegetables
• Free from fillers

Check Chewy

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When choosing the best senior cat food, there are three factors you will want to consider. Specifically:

• Does it contain high-quality protein?
• Does it include unnecessary fillers?
• Does it have additional supportive ingredients or supplements?

Protein

Cats are adorable, cuddly little hunters who need high-quality protein at every stage of life. Meat by-products aren’t necessarily harmful, but they can contain too many organ meats for a healthy balanced diet. You want cat food that uses high-quality protein sourced from reliable suppliers to know you are delivering good food to your furry friend.

Fillers

Cats don’t need corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes to thrive. Many times these and similar unnecessary fillers can contribute to obesity and other health concerns. For senior cats, simple, high-quality foods are the best choice.

Supportive Ingredients

Aside from cheap and unnecessary fillers, there are many nutrient-dense foods like pumpkin, blueberries, flax seeds, salmon oil, coconut oil, and kelp that add a natural source of critical vitamins and minerals to nourish your cat’s well-being.

The Different Types of Senior Cat Food: Pros and Cons Compared

There are hundreds of senior cat foods on the market, which is why we sort through to bring you some of the best for your pet. There are three basic types of senior cat food: wet, dry, and freeze-dried raw.

Here are some pros and cons of each type.

Wet Food

Dry Food

Freeze-Dried Raw Food