How Ageing Changes the Cat
Cats age differently from dogs, and differently from humans. Their metabolism changes, their senses shift, their social needs evolve, and their bodies accumulate the wear of years in ways that are often subtle until a threshold is crossed and the signs become obvious. The cat that was a picture of vitality at 5 looks and behaves differently at 14, and understanding those changes is the foundation for supporting the last years of a cat's life as well as the earlier ones.
Cats are generally considered mature from around 7 years, senior from 11 to 14, and geriatric from 15 years onward. The gut microbiome is one of the most meaningful indicators of biological age in cats and one of the most modifiable through daily intervention.
How Ageing Affects the Cat's Gut
Reduced digestive efficiency. Senior cats absorb protein and fat less efficiently than younger cats, even when eating the same amount. This contributes to the muscle wasting (sarcopenia) that is one of the most common and least visible health problems in cats over 12.
Reduced gut microbial diversity. As in dogs, the gut microbiome of older cats becomes less diverse, with declining beneficial bacteria and increasing inflammatory microbial species. This reduced diversity drives systemic inflammation and is associated with the increased prevalence of chronic disease in older cats.
Reduced gut motility. Slower intestinal contractions make constipation significantly more common in senior cats. Dehydration compounds this, and cats are already poor drinkers in their evolutionary design.
Increased gut permeability. Age-related decline in gut lining integrity increases the systemic inflammatory load, contributing to the acceleration of ageing across multiple organ systems.
Senior Cat Nutrition
Senior cats have higher protein requirements than younger adults despite often being less active, because they process and absorb protein less efficiently. A senior cat fed a low-protein diet is likely to become protein-deficient even if it appears to be eating well. High-quality animal protein should remain the primary nutritional focus in senior cats.
Wet food becomes more important in senior cats for two reasons: hydration support (crucial for kidney function, which declines with age in most cats) and digestibility (wet food is generally more easily processed than dry for a gut with reduced digestive efficiency).
Phosphorus management matters for cats with kidney disease, which is one of the most common conditions in cats over 10 years.
Supporting the Senior Cat
Daily probiotic and postbiotic supplementation restores the gut microbial diversity that declines with age, reduces gut-driven systemic inflammation that accelerates disease across multiple organ systems, and supports the gut lining integrity that breaks down as cats age.
Tummy Time Liquid Probiotics for Dogs and Cats (500ml)
Formulated for both dogs and cats. The liquid format poured over wet food is both the most cat-friendly and the most senior-cat-friendly delivery method for daily gut health support. Powered by Zoonatant postbiotic technology. Safe for use alongside all medications commonly used in senior cats. Pour over food once daily based on body weight.
Shop Tummy Time Liquid Probiotics
Collagen Rich Bone, Skin & Coat Care
Coat deterioration is one of the most visible and reliable signs of ageing in cats. The combination of declining collagen production, reduced nutrient absorption, and lowered fatty acid status produces the coarser, thinner, drier coat that many senior cats develop. Ipromea's Collagen Rich formula delivers bioavailable collagen peptides alongside marine-sourced omega-3s and targeted micronutrients to support the skin, coat, and connective tissue. Suitable for both dogs and cats. Works well alongside the Tummy Time probiotic to address the nutritional and inflammatory drivers of coat deterioration simultaneously.
Shop Collagen Rich Skin & Coat Care
Cat Stress & Anxiety Support (60g)
Senior cats experience elevated anxiety from multiple converging sources: sensory decline, cognitive dysfunction, pain, and loss of familiar companions or environments. Ipromea's Cat Stress and Anxiety Support combines ashwagandha, L-theanine, and Zoonatant postbiotic technology to reduce cortisol-driven reactivity, support the serotonin and GABA production that buffers against anxiety, and promote a calmer baseline state in older cats without sedation.
Shop Cat Stress & Anxiety Support
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is a senior cat?
Senior cats are generally those between 11 and 14 years. Cats over 15 are considered geriatric. But individual variation is substantial: some cats are functionally old at 10 and some are in excellent health at 16. Biological age, assessed through health status and blood parameters, is more meaningful than calendar age.
How do I keep my senior cat healthy?
Twice-yearly veterinary checks with blood and urine panels, appropriate senior nutrition with high-quality protein and adequate moisture, weight monitoring, dental health, and daily gut microbiome support through probiotic and postbiotic supplementation. Early detection of kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and dental disease allows management that meaningfully extends quality and length of life.
Do senior cats need different food?
Yes, usually. Senior cat foods typically have higher digestibility, adjusted phosphorus levels (relevant for kidney health), and maintained or increased protein to offset reduced absorption efficiency. Your vet will guide appropriate diet based on your cat's specific health status, as cats with kidney disease have different dietary requirements from those without.