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FREEZE-DRIED RAW · CAT FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed Senior Cats

From around seven years on, your cat is still a hunter at heart, but their body is quietly changing. Muscle is easier to lose, kidneys and digestion ask for more support, and appetite can dip — yet the core requirement never changes: cats are obligate carnivores and run on meat, organ, taurine and moisture.

A senior cat needs that animal nutrition in its most digestible, most appetizing form. Freeze-dried raw delivers concentrated protein and natural moisture in a meal that's gentle on aging kidneys and tempting enough for a fading appetite.

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    A healthy Senior Cats cat
    iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

    What Senior Cats actually needs

    Cats are obligate carnivores — they're built to run on meat, organ and moisture. Here's what matters most.

    • Age-related muscle loss

      Needs: Highly digestible animal protein to protect lean mass

      Freeze-dried raw is muscle meat and organ — the bioavailable protein a senior cat needs to hold muscle, with no plant filler to dilute it.

    • Aging kidneys

      Needs: Moisture-rich meals and quality (not excess) protein

      Rehydrated raw is a high-moisture meal that supports healthy hydration and eases the load on aging kidneys — something dry kibble can't match.

    • Taurine-dependent heart

      Needs: Steady taurine, found only in animal tissue

      Raw meat and organ are naturally rich in taurine, which supports a healthy senior heart and vision year after year.

    • Declining appetite & sense of smell

      Needs: Aromatic, palatable food that's easy to eat

      Gently freeze-dried raw rehydrates into a warm, fragrant meal that tempts a picky senior — and soft texture is kind to older teeth.

    • Slower digestion

      Needs: A clean, low-carb, meat-first diet

      A meat-first raw diet keeps carbs minimal and ingredients simple, supporting smooth digestion and steady energy in older cats.

    How much to feed Senior Cats

    Quick answer: portion freeze-dried raw by your cat's ideal weight — about 0.13 oz per pound per day (a 10 lb cat ≈ 1.3 oz), split across two or more small meals. Kittens need more; seniors and indoor cats a little less. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.

    Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
    6 lb 0.8 oz 0.4 oz
    8 lb 1.0 oz 0.5 oz
    10 lb 1.3 oz 0.7 oz
    12 lb 1.6 oz 0.8 oz
    15 lb 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
    18 lb 2.3 oz 1.2 oz

    Starting points for a moderately active adult cat (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Kittens need roughly double per pound; indoor and senior cats a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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    What to feed Senior Cats

    Build the bowl around complete-and-balanced freeze-dried raw recipes, rehydrated with a little warm water to boost moisture and aroma. Highly digestible animal protein helps a senior hold muscle, while the added moisture supports kidney and urinary health.

    Land Animal's cat recipes are high in animal protein and taurine, low in carbohydrate, and gently freeze-dried to preserve nutrition — exactly the kind of clean, meat-first meal an aging cat does best on.

    Recipes for cats

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    Daily support

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    Treats cats love

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    Feeding by life stage

    • Kitten: Kittens need roughly double the calories per pound and feed more often — free-feed or 3-4 meals a day while they grow.
    • Adult: Adults hold a lean weight on two-plus measured meals a day; adjust to body condition, not appetite.
    • Senior: From about seven years, prioritize highly digestible protein and moisture to protect muscle and kidneys; smaller, more frequent meals and warmed food help a gentler appetite.

    Common concerns — and the diet connection

    • Muscle loss with ageHighly digestible, meat-first protein helps a senior cat maintain lean muscle as their body becomes less efficient at using it.
    • Kidney & urinary healthThe moisture in rehydrated raw supports healthy hydration and helps dilute urine — the single biggest dietary lever for an aging cat.
    • Weight & appetite changesA protein-dense, aromatic raw meal helps tempt a flagging appetite while supporting a healthy weight; track body condition and consult your vet about any sudden change.
    • Dental comfortSoft, rehydrated raw is easy on older teeth and gums, so a senior with dental wear can still eat the animal nutrition they need.
    • Skin & coatOmega-rich fish and real animal protein support a soft coat and healthy skin that can otherwise turn dull with age.

    Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

    Feeding Senior Cats: what to know

    Feed a senior cat to their ideal body weight, and watch body condition closely — unexplained weight loss is common in older cats and worth a vet check. Smaller, more frequent meals are easier to digest and suit a senior's gentler appetite.

    Warming rehydrated raw slightly releases aroma and tempts a cat whose sense of smell has dulled. Always keep fresh water available, and re-weigh every few weeks so you can adjust the portion before changes get away from you.

    Cat feeding questions

    How much should I feed a senior cat?
    About 0.13 oz of freeze-dried raw per pound of ideal weight per day — roughly 1.3 oz for a 10 lb cat — split across two or more small meals. Adjust to body condition and your vet's guidance.
    What is the best food for an older cat?
    A complete-and-balanced, meat-first diet that's highly digestible and moisture-rich. Freeze-dried raw delivers concentrated animal protein and taurine with the moisture aging kidneys appreciate.
    Why is my senior cat losing weight?
    Older cats often lose muscle and can lose weight from dental issues, reduced appetite, or underlying health changes. Offer aromatic, protein-dense meals, track body condition, and have any unexplained weight loss checked by your vet.
    How do I get a picky senior cat to eat?
    Warm rehydrated raw slightly to release aroma, offer small fresh meals more often, and transition new food gradually over 7-10 days. The soft texture and rich smell of warmed raw tempt cats whose senses have dulled.
    Is raw food safe for senior cats?
    Complete-and-balanced, pathogen-tested freeze-dried raw is formulated for cats' obligate-carnivore needs at every life stage. Transition gradually, keep fresh water available, and check with your vet if your senior has a diagnosed condition.
    How often should a senior cat eat?
    Two or more small meals a day are easier to digest than one large bowl and suit a senior's gentler appetite, helping keep energy and weight steady.

    THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

    If your cat won't eat it, it's on us

    Try your cat's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

    • Obligate-carnivore formulated
    • AAFCO complete & balanced
    • Pathogen-tested every batch

    • "My picky indoor cat actually finishes her bowl now — and she's drinking less because the food has real moisture back in it."

      — Dana & Miso

    • "Switching our senior to raw was easier than I expected. He's more playful and his coat looks incredible."

      — Theo & Pepper
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    Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual cat's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.