Last updated: May 2026
My cat Oliver turned 15 last year. He sleeps about 20 hours a day now. The other four hours are split between eating, staring at walls, and yelling at me for no reason. Classic senior cat behavior.
But here is the weird part — his appetite did not decrease. At all. He still begged for food like he was training for the Olympics. Meanwhile, his activity level dropped to basically zero. He went from chasing laser pointers to watching them with mild interest.
This is the senior cat trap. Their metabolism slows down — sometimes by 20-30% — but their appetite stays the same. Or gets worse because they are bored. So they gain weight. Or they lose muscle because they are not moving. Both are bad.
Conventional wisdom says "senior cats need less protein." Wrong. Senior cats actually need more high-quality protein, not less. Their ability to digest protein decreases with age, so they need more of it to maintain muscle mass.
Look for foods with at least 35-40% protein on a dry matter basis. Avoid "senior" formulas that slash protein to 25%. Those are designed for cats with kidney issues, not healthy seniors. If your cat has kidney disease, that is a different conversation with your vet.
Oliver gets wet food with 45% protein. He has maintained his muscle mass despite sleeping like a log. His vet is impressed. I am just happy he can still jump onto the bed without help.
A 4kg senior indoor cat needs about 160-180 kcal per day. That is 10-20% less than an adult cat of the same weight. Use our calculator and select "senior" — it automatically adjusts the multiplier.
But do not cut calories drastically. Senior cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver) if they lose weight too fast. Aim for 0.5-1% of body weight per week. For a 5kg cat, that is 25-50g per week. Barely noticeable.
Weigh your senior cat monthly. Use a baby scale or hold them and subtract your weight. Small changes add up over months. Catching weight gain early is much easier than fixing it later.
Senior cats (7+) face a lineup of potential issues: kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arthritis. Each affects diet differently.
Kidney disease: Lower phosphorus, moderate protein. Wet food is critical for hydration. Your vet will prescribe a therapeutic diet if needed.
Hyperthyroidism: Increased appetite but weight loss. Needs treatment, not just more food. The food is not the problem — the thyroid is.
Diabetes: Low carb, high protein. Wet food is almost always better than dry. Some cats go into remission with diet change alone.
Arthritis: Omega-3 fatty acids help with inflammation. Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin) can help. Warm food is easier to eat if dental issues exist.
Here is what actually works for Oliver:
Oliver is 15 and still going strong. He still yells at me. He still demands food at 5 AM. But his bloodwork is clean, his weight is stable, and his vet says he is in great shape for his age. That is all you can ask for.