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.
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, split across two or more small meals. Feed to a lean body, not the bag.
| Ideal adult weight | Freeze-dried per day | Per meal (×2) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 lb | 0.8 oz | 0.4 oz |
| 8 lb | 1 oz | 0.5 oz |
| 10 lb | 1.3 oz | 0.7 oz |
| 12 lb | 1.6 oz | 0.8 oz |
| 15 lb | 2 oz | 1 oz |
| 18 lb | 2.3 oz | 1.2 oz |
Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.13 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active pets need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.
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.
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?
What is the best food for an older cat?
Why is my senior cat losing weight?
How do I get a picky senior cat to eat?
Is raw food safe for senior cats?
How often should a senior cat eat?
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
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.