The nutritional needs of older cats require easily digestible and nutritious food. Maintaining their health necessitates a different diet than for younger cats. Firstly, their teeth may fall out or become brittle, making it difficult for them to chew hard foods. Secondly, as their internal organs decline, their digestive and absorptive capacity decreases, and their thermic effect also diminishes. Therefore, an ideal diet for older cats is soft, easily digestible, and highly nutritious. Furthermore, as carnivores, cats require different nutrients than omnivorous humans. Cats need more protein than humans, but they do not need seasoned or salty food, as this can be detrimental to their health. Some people who also own dogs feed their cats dog food for convenience, but the nutritional content of animal protein in dog food differs, and consistently feeding them dog food can lead to nutritional deficiencies. 
Beware of obesity: Excessive intake of highly nutritious foods can lead to obesity. Obesity is a cause of various diseases and can make older cats, who are already not very active, even more lethargic. Furthermore, due to brain and nerve decline, they may become uncontrollably hungry, accepting any food offered by their owner. Please adhere to the principle of moderation and carefully consider the portion sizes you feed them!
Provide high-quality protein: If an older cat thrives on a diet that is easily digestible and highly nutritious, then a high-protein diet is ideal. However, too much protein can strain its kidneys, so be mindful. Please provide small amounts of high-quality protein and supplement its energy intake with carbohydrates and fats!
1. High-quality protein: If using chicken, choose fatty chicken breast or wings. Other good sources include beef liver, horse mackerel, flounder, halibut, and other white-fleshed fish, as well as eggs. Animal-based foods and plant-based foods have different types of amino acids that make up proteins, and cats require amino acids found in meat, fish, and dairy products. Taurine, in particular, is an essential amino acid for cats as it is not found in plants. Insufficient animal protein intake can lead to a deficiency.
Red snapper or bluefin bream, for example, generally contain less protein than meat. Excessive intake can easily lead to vitamin E deficiency, potentially causing "fatty body syndrome." Additionally, when feeding fish and meat, remove any fish bones, especially large ones like chicken bones, as these pose a risk of injury. As for eggs, since the yolk is high in fat and easily digestible, it's best to give them fresh. However, because the protein is harder to digest, it's better to cook it until it's partially cooked before feeding.
Although it is necessary to control fat intake, DHA and EPA, which are unsaturated fatty acids, have the effect of improving dementia.
2. Carbohydrates: Compared to bread, rice is easier to digest and absorb, and contains less salt, making it suitable for older cats. However, excessive grain intake can burden the digestive organs of carnivorous cats, so it should not be given in excess. Small amounts of cooked rice can be fed to aid digestion.
3. Vitamins and Calcium: As cats age, calcium absorption decreases, leading to weakened bones. Incorporate calcium-rich foods into your senior cat's diet! Use low-fat, low-sodium skim cheese or chopped dried fish for easy consumption. Additionally, vitamin absorption becomes increasingly difficult, so consider commercially available cat vitamins. Reducing fat intake also decreases the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, so supplement with vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties and can help combat aging. Furthermore, B vitamins, which aid in protein and fat metabolism, are also crucial.
Sample diet: Protein (chicken breast + egg + chicken liver/beef liver + white fish) + carbohydrates (small amount of rice) + vitamins and calcium (fat-free cheese + chopped dried fish + powdered vitamins). Salt and sugar intake must be controlled: Almost all older cats have kidney problems, just to varying degrees. Salt puts a strain on the heart and kidneys, and if continued, can lead to obesity or illness. This should be addressed from a young age; avoid giving them ham, fish cakes, or other seasoned human food.
Make good use of commercially available products: There are now many cat foods available on the market specifically for senior cats. Since homemade meals can easily lead to nutritional imbalances, why not make good use of senior cat foods labeled "comprehensive nutrition food"?
