7 Best Healthy Cat Foods for Senior Cats

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 8.1%
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 30
• Calories Per Pound: 480
• Typical Cost Per Day: $3.60 per day

Though relatively new to the pet food industry, Open Farm has quickly become popular—especially among eco-conscious consumers. Open Farm pet food is made from responsibly sourced, human-grade ingredients. The brand’s sourcing policy emphasizes humanely raised poultry and meat, as well as sustainably-harvested wild-caught fish. All their fruits and vegetables are non-GMO.

This chicken-based recipe appears to rely primarily on animal-sourced protein, though it’s hard to say how much beans and legumes like garbanzo beans and lentils contribute to the total crude protein content. As a whole, the food is moderately high in protein, measured at nearly 39% on a dry matter basis, and fairly low in carbohydrates at under 20%.

The food’s dry matter fat content is almost equal to the protein content. At 30 calories per ounce, this recipe is fairly calorie-dense, so follow the feeding recommendations carefully if your cat is prone to weight gain. Overall, if you prefer to support brands that are conscious of their impact on the environment, Open Farm might be a good pick.

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 38%
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 106
• Calories Per Pound: 1696
• Typical Cost Per Day: $0.90 per day

Open Farm is a newer pet food brand that’s earned our respect with excellent transparency and end-to-end quality, including detailed information on ingredient sourcing, partnerships with ethical suppliers, and typical analyses available for each recipe.

What distinguishes Open Farm’s RawMix from other dry foods is its inclusion of freeze-dried raw ingredients. The line’s Grain-Free Open Prairie recipe features nutrient-packed kibble coated in a blend of bone broth and freeze-dried raw meat.

While this formula is carbohydrate-heavy, we like that it contains more animal-derived protein than other Open Farm formulas. This recipe derives its animal protein from chicken, turkey, and menhaden fish meal. Additional protein comes from chicken liver, chicken neck, and whitefish meal. This recipe is fairly low in fat, so it isn’t as calorie-dense as others on this list.

Sample buyer review...
"I used Open Farm when I used to feed my cats kibble. I personally really love their sustainability model and the fact that every ingredient is listed and comes with a source. It makes me feel better about what I'm feeding my cats. It's a very healthy food too! It's not high on carbs, but every kibble is. It has a fairly high protein content too. My cats were always eager to eat it as well."

• Made In: Thailand
• Guaranteed Protein: 12%
• Age Range: Adult
• Calories Per Ounce: 30
• Calories Per Pound: 480
• Typical Cost Per Day: $4.55 per day

Tiki Cat was born of a desire to create a low-carbohydrate cat food made with nothing but meat and supplements. True to the brand’s origins, Tiki Cat foods are meat-based and low in carbohydrates. They’re free from animal by-products, grains, and potatoes. Most recipes feature chicken or fish which is locally sourced from Thailand where the food is manufactured in award-winning human-grade canning plants.

The majority of the protein in this silver recipe—designed for senior felines—comes from animal sources including chicken, duck, and egg. With high levels of protein and moisture but a low dry matter carbohydrate content under 10%, this is a species-appropriate choice for your cat.

Though rich in animal protein, this recipe contains low levels of phosphorus to help support kidney health in aging cats. It’s enriched with joint-supporting omega-3 fatty acids and free from hard-to-digest peas and legumes, so it’s a strong choice for older felines with delicate stomachs.

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 7%
• Age Range: Adult
• Calories Per Ounce: 31
• Calories Per Pound: 496
• Typical Cost Per Day: $2.08 per day

Formulated specifically with senior cats in mind, this Blue Buffalo Freedom recipe features chicken muscle meat and chicken liver as the sole sources of protein. Chicken broth contributes to the food’s high moisture content as well as its appealing chicken flavor.

Though this recipe is higher in carbohydrates than we’d like, it’s free from hard-to-digest peas and legumes. It’s also an affordable option compared to many wet cat foods, priced around $0.32 per ounce. With 21 calories per ounce, the food is fairly calorie-dense which helps reduce the daily feeding cost.

Overall, this is a moderate-protein, moderate-fat wet cat food formula made primarily with wholesome ingredients. It should be easily digestible for most cats, though gum thickeners may contribute to loose stools in cats with sensitive stomachs.

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 10.5%
• Age Range: Adult
• Calories Per Ounce: 29
• Calories Per Pound: 464
• Typical Cost Per Day: $3.66 per day

Another affordable choice, this Purina ONE Indoor Advantage recipe is crafted to support the nutritional needs of senior cats. It’s packed with animal-sourced protein and is rich in hydrating moisture. It’s also a good source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and is enriched with prebiotic fiber to support digestion.

Measured as dry matter, this food contains nearly 48% protein and over 19% fat. It’s moderately calorie-dense which, paired with the high protein content, may help your senior cat maintain lean muscle mass without unintended weight gain.

Because it contains protein from multiple animal-derived sources, this recipe has a unique flavor that appeals to many cats. It has a smooth pate texture that’s easy to chew and a fairly simple, low-carbohydrate recipe that is easily digestible for most cats.

• Made In: United States
• Guaranteed Protein: 9%
• Age Range: All Life Stages
• Calories Per Ounce: 28
• Calories Per Pound: 448
• Typical Cost Per Day: $3.60 per day

Cats can be finicky in their food preferences; some prefer certain types, flavors, and textures. If you’re having trouble getting your cat to eat traditional canned or dry cat foods, this stew-style recipe from Caru might pique their interest. It also doesn’t hurt that the dry matter carbohydrate content of this recipe is very low.

Caru’s grain-free Turkey Stew is made with a single source of animal protein: turkey muscle meat. The food is gently cooked in turkey bone broth for flavor and moisture, so it supports your cat’s hydration as well. That said, some reviewers comment that the food contains too much liquid and verges on soupy. When it comes to the texture of cat food, your cat has the final say.

This wet cat food is fairly expensive, costing over $3.50 a day to feed the average 10-pound cat. It does, however, come in resealable cardboard cartons rather than cans, so it’s easy to store the leftovers if you prefer to mix it with another food.

Sample buyer review...
"I bought this for my cat after she had dental surgery (6 teeth removed) because I figured she’d like to have something soft to eat. So I gave her a small bowl of it, then started using it to soften her dry food. She goes crazy for it! I bought some of the less expensive, regular chicken broth for cats and dogs, too, but she didn’t seem to like it. I’m giving her this stuff as a treat now."