Food for really old cat

[Ace-T]

Wednesday is 22 and a bag of pretty sprightly bones and fur. Just taken her to the vets because she has started this weird dry retching thing. Vet cant find anything wrong with her teeth, gums etc and her tummy and vitals seem to be ok too.

She has as many Iams senior crunchies (she has been on them for years) as she wants with fresh water and occasional treats of tinned tuna in spring water. Oh and Whiskas cat milk.

We thought she may have a cough or sore throat so we got some Whiskas senior really fishy stuff, as I thought it may be softer on her throat, which she is hoovering up like she has never been fed before.

Just wondered if I should continue to give her this stuff or will it do more harm than good? Can anyone recommend something else or is this stuff ok? Any thoughts much appreciated.

Trace

[Mobile Chicane]

Whiskas is probably the worst food you can offer. It's the feline equivalent of Bernard Matthews turkey twizzlers.

I also personally don't think that a diet of dried food is at all good for cats. Tuna either, as it's very salty and not good for their kidneys.

Get he/she onto Lily's Kitchen trays, or raw food. A finger load of 'Logic' oral hygiene gel before bed.

Edited by Mobile Chicane on Monday 29th July 22:48

[bexVN]

Their cat is 22 yrs old so can't have been all bad for her!!

Basically at her time in life I'd concentrate on what she enjoys but doesn't upset her tummy too much which Whiskas may do.

Maybe Natures Menu, Lilys Kitchen, Applaws (stick to fish varieties). All available via internet. All excellent quality ingredients and she should find enjoyable . Enjoyment is key at her age!

Unless she's had raw in the past I would be very reluctant to advise this now..

Edited by bexVN on Monday 29th July 23:03

[Mobsta]

Going prawning is fun, you'll catch stacks with a decent net.
You'll need to shell them (chucking the shells away) and the part of the prawn humans dont eat, cats go crazy for.

Lot of effort for a few cat meals, but if you like prawns at no cost and live near the sea...

[ali_kat]

I'm with Bex

Look for the 'softer' pate style foods, but I'd be giving her what she wants.

We have to feed Pepi a tablet daily for his cystitis, so they get 1/2 pouch each, what it is varies on what is on offer - their biscuits are expensive Vet guided ones so they get the cheap pouch as a 'treat'.

Currently, Felix 'Sensations' are being wolfed down like they have been starved, nice jelly with flakes of food rather than chunks

[Jasandjules]

ali_kat said:

Look for the 'softer' pate style foods, but I'd be giving her what she wants.

Yep. Ham and tuna and so on now and again too....

[Ace-T]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Bit of an update too. We have continued to give her the Whiskas fish pouches (which she loves!) and she has put on weight noticably in the last 2 days! Not on her tummy but along her spine and ribs. Haven't seen her coughing either and she seems quite chirpy too.

Will see if I can post a photo later.

Thanks again.

[BlackVanDyke]

I'll second Applaws - you can see it's the good stuff and the fuzzies go mental for it. Bex - why just the fish ones?

[bexVN]

Often easier to digest and generally less chance of upset stomach compared to other meats (even chicken) and good oils beneficial to an older puddy tat.