Macronutrient Considerations for the Healthy Senior Cat

What age is considered senior?

There is not a concrete age at which a cat is considered “senior”. However, most cats may be considered senior starting around the age of 7 years. As a cat ages, various nutritional needs should be considered. For instance, the special considerations for a healthy cat over 11 years old, may be different from a healthy cat at the age of 7 years. This article discusses healthy senior cat nutrition and not those that require special nutrition in a diseased state. As always, consulting with a veterinarian to ensure the food choice is appropriate for that individual cat is highly recommended.

Water

In all species, water is often overlooked. It is a critical nutrient in the health of animals, especially those of geriatric or senior age. Aging decreases thirst and hunger sensitivity.¹  Dehydration may also reduce the ability of a cat to thermoregulate.² It may be beneficial to leverage foods with higher moisture percentages to combat low water intake. Fresh water should always be provided.

Protein

Adequate protein and energy intake are necessary to sustain lean muscle mass, protein synthesis, and immune function.³Decreased muscle tone and mass are more prevalent in cats over 11 years old.⁴ Due to limited research on older cats, information has been extrapolated from human studies. For instance, increasing dietary protein intake to 1.6g/kg/day was associated with beneficial effects on lean body mass and bone mineral composition, in elderly women.⁵ Additionally, it has been noted that protein intake of 1.0 – 1.3 g/kg body weight (BW)/day is necessary to maintain nitrogen balance in elderly humans.^6,7 Using a moderate increase of 1.0 g/kg BW/d from the recommended allowance of 0.8g/kg BW/day for adult maintenance, that is a 25% increase. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) minimum requirement for cat maintenance is 26% on a dry matter basis. The equivalent increase would have a moderate protein level for senior cats around 32% on a dry matter basis. A diet providing a moderate amount of protein may also enhance palatability for older cats, in turn improving feed intake and weight maintenance.⁸ 

Fat

Energy intake is important for all cats; and in senior cats that may be hard keepers, increasing dietary fat increases caloric density and may increase palatability. Older cats have lower or similar energy digestibility when compared to younger cats.^9-11 Additionally, it has been noted that lower-energy digestibility is driven by a decrease in fat digestion.¹⁰ This in turn may result in an imbalance of energy causing a reduction in lean body mass. 

In the aging cat, various skin and coat changes can occur, which can result in thinning of the haircoat as well as decreased skin elasticity.^12,13,14 Maintaining a moderate fat content can also provide essential fatty acids in the diet, which can help maintain skin and coat health. 

Dietary fat level needs can vary depending upon the age, activity level, neuter/spay status, and body condition scores. Obesity-prone cats may require a slightly lower fat content in their diet than cats with healthy body weights. Having open discussions with a veterinarian about a cat’s health is the best way to determine if a diet is appropriate for that individual cat.

Fiber

Fiber facilitates gastrointestinal health by promoting gut motility and providing nutrition through volatile fatty acids to bacteria.¹⁵ For a normal, healthy cat having a diet containing less than 5% soluble and insoluble fiber, on a dry matter basis, fulfills those needs. An additional benefit of providing a balance of soluble and insoluble fibers is it can help with constipation, which can be prevalent in older cats. Fiber should not be the sole source of constipation prevention and/or management; however, it is beneficial for providing regularity. 

Dietary fiber levels between 5 and 15%, on a dry matter basis, may be considered for obese prone or inactive cats. An increase in dietary fiber can increase satiety, reduce dry matter digestibility, and dilute caloric density.⁸ This may be beneficial for those cats that require less energy-dense foods. 

Conclusion

Macronutrients play an important role in cat health, with older cats being no exception. As animals age, their metabolic needs change. Understanding how those needs change is important and will help with choosing the right food that suits an individual cat’s needs. It is also important to have open discussions with a veterinarian about an individual cat’s health.

References:

1. Kenney WL, Chiu P. Influence of age on thirst and fluid intake. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;33(9):1524-1532.
2. Doris PA, Baker MA. Effects of dehydration on thermoregulation in cats exposed to high ambient temperatures. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol. 1981;51(1):46-54.
3. Carbone JW, Pasiakos SM. Dietary Protein and Muscle Mass: Translating Science to Application and Health Benefit. Nutrients. 2019;11(5).
4. Armstrong P. Changes in body composition and energy balance with aging. Vet Clin Nutr. 1996;3:83-87.
5. Meng X, Zhu K, Devine A, Kerr DA, Binns CW, Prince RL. A 5-year cohort study of the effects of high protein intake on lean mass and BMC in elderly postmenopausal women. J Bone Miner Res. 2009;24(11):1827-1834.
6. Morais JA, Chevalier S, Gougeon R. Protein turnover and requirements in the healthy and frail elderly. J Nutr Health Aging. 2006;10(4):272-283.
7. Campbell WW, Crim MC, Dallal GE, Young VR, Evans WJ. Increased protein requirements in elderly people: new data and retrospective reassessments. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;60(4):501-509.
8. Bauer J, Heinemann K, Lees G. Small animal clinical nutrition. 2010.
9. Peachey SE, Harper EJ. Aging Does Not Influence Feeding Behavior in Cats. The Journal of Nutrition. 2002;132(6):1735S-1739S.
10. Taylor EJ, Adams C, Neville R. Some nutritional aspects of ageing in dogs and cats. Proc Nutr Soc. 1995;54(3):645-656.
11. Anantharaman-Barr H, Gicquello P, Rabot R. The effect of age on the digestibility of macronutrients and energy in cats. Proc Br Small Anim Vet Assoc. 1991;164.
12. Miller W, Griffin C, Campbell K. Structure and function of the skin. Mueller & Kirk’s) Small Animal Dermatology, 7th edn Elsevier Mosby, St Louis, Missouri. 2013:1-56.
13. Vogt AH, Rodan I, Brown M, et al. AAFP-AAHA: Feline life stage guidelines. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2010;46(1):70-85.
14. Case LP, Daristotle L, Hayek MG, Raasch M. Canine and feline nutrition: a resource for companion animal professionals. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010.
15. Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:25.

 

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About the Author

Dr. Sydney McCauley is a Board-Certified Companion Animal Nutritionist and earned both her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees at Virginia Tech in Animal and Poultry Sciences. McCauley’s research was in nutritional physiology with a focus on understanding the effects of low birth weight on glucose, fatty acid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism in skeletal muscle and overall metabolic homeostasis during neonatal development.