The Best Cat Food for Brain Health (Cats with Dementia)

Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

Your cat’s brain changes as they age. This can lead to anxiety, increased vocalization, disrupted sleep, disorientation, and house soiling. In severe cases, cats can develop feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), similar to dementia in people.

Like in people, cognitive dysfunction cannot be cured with medication. However, there is increasing evidence that certain types of food can protect the brain from age-related changes and reduce symptoms of cognitive decline.

Many of these brain-boosting nutrients can be found in regular cat food – if you know what to look for. This article will help you spot the signs of cognitive decline early and explain how what you feed your cat could help.

Aging and Your Cat’s Brain

Aging causes multiple changes in your cat’s brain, often starting years before you notice any signs at home. These include loss of brain tissue, chronic inflammation, vascular changes, loss of neurons (and reduced growth of new ones), and accumulation of damaged proteins. Research has also shown that the brain struggles to utilize glucose as it ages, the main energy source for the brain.

So, what does this mean for your cat?

These changes affect your cat’s cognition – their ability to learn, problem-solve, and remember (including previously learnt behaviors such as toilet training).

For many senior cats, the signs at home may be very subtle and only detectable with specific tests. But for others, it can become very noticeable. In the most severe cases, it can lead to feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome, also called cat dementia.

Symptoms of Cognitive Decline and Dysfunction in Cats

Increased vocalization is a common but subtle sign of early cognitive decline in older cats. Melina Grin / Cats.com

Sadly, cognitive decline in cats is very common. According to research into Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats nearly a third of cats between 11-14 years old have at least one behavioral change related to cognitive decline, increasing to over half of cats over 15 years old.

Signs you might notice at home include

• Soiling or marking in the house
• Increased vocalization
• Anxiety
• Increase in aggressive behavior
• Disorientation, eg. forgetting where the litter tray is, getting stuck in unusual places
• Altered sleep patterns eg. waking at night
• Confusion or disorientation
• Changes in feed patterns eg. asking for food at unusual times
• Unusual behaviors eg. staring at walls or repetitive behaviors such as circling
• Altered social interactions with family, visitors, or other animals

Speak to your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your cat’s behavior. Many of these symptoms can be a sign of other health problems in cats, including pain, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and high blood pressure.

What Causes Age-Related Cognitive Decline in Cats?

Increasing Age

This may seem obvious! Of course, none of us is immune to the effects of time, and increasing age is the most important factor in the development of cognitive decline in cats.

However, other factors can increase the changes we see in the brain with age, including oxidative damage and reduced blood flow to the brain.

Reduced Blood Flow to the Brain

As your cat ages, blood flow to the brain tends to reduce. Common health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and anemia, can all exacerbate this, leading to more rapid decline of brain cells. Regular health checks will help detect signs of these conditions early.

See below for how brain-boosting nutrient arginine could help increase blood flow to your cat’s brain.

Oxidative Damage

Your cat’s body produces a harmful substance called free radicals during normal daily metabolism. They are neutralized by antioxidants, preventing them from causing cell damage. However, ageing, stress, disease, and environmental factors such as cigarette smoke and pollution can all increase the production of free radicals. This leads to increased cell damage across the body, including the brain.

Read on for more about how adding antioxidants to your cat’s diet can protect your cat’s brain from this oxidative damage.

Top Nutrients for Brain Health in Cats

There are multiple nutrients shown to protect the brain and improve brain function in older cats – and many of them are found in commonly used high-quality ingredients such as salmon. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

As in people, there is currently no cure for cognitive decline or dysfunction. However, research into the impact of certain nutrients on brain health has shown promising results. Slowing the progress of brain aging can reduce your cat’s symptoms and improve their quality of life.

According to the authors of Nutrition and the aging brain of dogs and cats:

“Although cognitive decline and cognitive dysfunction may occur as pets age, neither should be accepted as simply a consequence of aging.”

There are several nutrients found to improve brain health and function in older cats. They’re shown to have the most benefit when used in combination, with one prominent study showing Cognitive enhancement in middle-aged and old cats with dietary supplementation with a nutrient blend containing fish oil, B vitamins, antioxidants, and arginine.

Let’s look at each nutrient individually.

Antioxidants

Oxidative damage is a major cause of cognitive decline in people and animals. Antioxidants work by neutralizing harmful free radicals. Too many free radicals cause oxidative damage, contributing to multiple diseases, from cancer to premature aging.

We know that natural levels of antioxidants reduce as the body ages, leading to worsening oxidative damage – the brain is especially susceptible to this type of damage. Although research in cats is lacking, several studies in dogs found that a diet enriched in antioxidants reduces cognitive dysfunction. The authors stated that “antioxidant treatment can result in significant improvements, supporting the need for further human studies”. The same is likely true for our cats, too.

Antioxidants known to protect brain health in cats include vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium.

Check out Why Antioxidants Matter for Your Cat for more on the benefits of antioxidants and cats and how to use them.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). They are often found in foods like fish oil, salmon, seaweed, sardines, and liver.

Omega-3 fatty acids are neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory, meaning they support healthy brain function and protect the brain cells against age-related damage.

In people, research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids protect against cognitive decline and improve cognitive function. This benefit is increased when given alongside B vitamins.

Check out our 10 Best Omega-3 Fish Oils for Cats

B Vitamins

Certain B vitamins, including thiamine, folate, and cobalamin, are important for brain function in cats. When these levels are low, it can cause an increase in a substance called homocysteine, which is linked to brain atrophy, cognitive impairment, and dementia in people.

Studies in humans show that supplementing with B vitamins reduces brain atrophy and improves memory and cognition. The same effect is likely to be true in pets.

Arginine

Arginine is an amino acid found in protein-rich foods like meat, nuts, and liver. It is vital for the production of nitric oxide (NO), which helps regulate blood flow to the brain, ensuring the cells receive the oxygen and nutrients they need. It also plays a crucial role in immune response and the activity of antioxidants in the brain, as well as your cat’s memory.

For more on arginine, see Arginine Deficiency in Cats.

Ketones and Medium-Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

Glucose is an important source of energy for your cat’s brain. But as they age, the brain finds it harder to utilize glucose, even when there is plenty available. The brain requires a lot of energy, so when this is reduced, the cells can become damaged and die. This leads to irreversible changes in brain function and behavior.

However, ketones and MCTs can be used as an alternative energy source, ensuring brain cells receive the energy they need.

Dietary MCTs are fats (such as coconut oil) that are metabolized to form ketones. As well as being fuel for the brain, MCTs and ketones also offer a range of neuroprotective benefits. This includes reducing damage from oxidative stress and supporting brain function.

Finding a Diet to Support Your Cat’s Brain Health

There aren’t currently diets specifically for brain health in cats, but many high-quality diets already contain everything you need to support your cat’s brain as they get older. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

The good news is, it isn’t difficult to find a diet that supports your cat’s brain – now you know what you’re looking for.

Look for Brain-Boosting Ingredients

Always look for a diet that is complete and balanced for your cat’s life stage and contains high-quality ingredients. But when it comes to brain health, you want to choose a food that goes above and beyond.

Look out for diets that include our top brain-boosting nutrients:

• Antioxidants
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Arginine
• MCT’s and ketones

Many of these nutrients work together to enhance each other’s function, leading to an increased benefit. They also target different aspects of brain health, meaning a blend of ingredients will offer your cat the best support.

Diets formulated by a qualified veterinary nutritionist will provide the most effective blend of nutrients.

Commercial Diets that Support Brain Health

Many high-quality, complete, balanced adult cat foods, such as the Purina PRO PLAN Vital Functions range, include a blend of brain-boosting ingredients in their standard adult range.

Diets formulated for senior cats, urinary disease, anxiety, and joint disease often contain ingredients that also benefit the brain.

For instance, according to a questionnaire-based study, signs of cognitive decline improved in 70% of cats fed Hill’s Feline j/d diet. Originally designed to treat osteoarthritis, it contains many nutrients that also aid brain health, including antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and L-carnitine.

Supplements for Brain Health

While most brain-protecting nutrients can be found in complete diets, there are a few supplements that are worth knowing about if your cat is showing signs of cat dementia. Kirsten McCarthy / Cats.com

Most of the key nutrients for protecting and enhancing brain function in cats can be found in complete cat foods. However, there are a few supplements you can use for extra support, especially if your older cat is experiencing anxiety.

Be sure to consult your vet before starting any new supplements.

S-denosyl-l-methionine (SAMe)

S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) supports cell membranes and enhances the production of antioxidants. It is generally used as a supplement (brand name Denamarin) to treat liver disease in cats and dogs. However, one study found that SAMe can improve executive function in aged dogs and cats, especially when started early on in the course of the disease.

Alpha-Casozepine

A study looking at the effect of alpha-casozpine (Zylkene tablets) on anxiety in cats found an improvement in fear-based behaviours. If your older cat is showing signs of anxiety, a calming supplement such as Zylkene could be helpful.

Alpha-casozepine is also found in diets formulated to reduce anxiety, including Royal Canin Calm and Hill’s Urinary Support.