Senior cat eating only dry food

A 14-year-old tortoiseshell who's been on dry food for years and is now drinking less water — that combination is a real red flag for kidney health, and it's worth taking seriously. Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional needs many commercial foods don't fully meet, and dry food is notoriously low in moisture, which puts chronic strain on the kidneys over time. Senior cats especially need that hydration built into their food. Can you tell me a little more — has she had any recent bloodwork or vet checks, and do you know if her kidneys have been flagged at all? And is she eating the dry food enthusiastically, or is her appetite dropping off too?

That's a really important point — with dry food you genuinely can't gauge hydration from drinking behaviour, because most of what she'd need to drink to compensate she probably isn't drinking. Slightly elevated kidney values at 14 is very common, but it's also a window to act before things progress. The single most impactful thing you can do right now is transition her onto wet food to get moisture back into every meal. Given the kidney concern, you want something specifically formulated for renal support, not just a generic senior wet food.

For early-stage or 'preclinical' kidney concerns, you don't necessarily need prescription food yet — there are over-the-counter options genuinely formulated for renal support that are appropriate at this stage. I'd point you toward Royal Canin Renal wet food for cats. It's specifically developed to reduce phosphorus load on the kidneys, which is exactly what you want when values are creeping up, and it comes in both pouches and cans so you can find a texture she'll accept. The key is getting her onto it gradually — mix a little in with her dry food and increase the ratio over two to three weeks. Cats who've only ever had dry food can be stubborn about wet, but most come around if you warm it slightly and don't rush the transition.

Completely understandable — senior cats and food neophobia go hand in hand. If she digs in, try warming the Royal Canin Renal pouch to just below body temperature, which brings out the aroma and often tips reluctant cats over. You can also try mixing a tiny amount of the jelly or gravy from the pouch in with her dry kibble first, before introducing the solid pieces — it gets her used to the smell without the texture change all at once. Some cats also respond better to the pâté format over chunks. Stick with it for at least two weeks before concluding she won't eat it. And it's worth booking a follow-up kidney panel in about three months — if you can show her values have stabilised on the new diet, that's a real win at her age.

Good — you're catching this at the right time. Even partial wet food, say two meals out of three, will make a meaningful difference to her hydration and kidney load compared to all-dry. Keep an eye on her overall energy and coat condition too — both tend to improve noticeably once hydration improves in older cats. And if at any point her appetite drops significantly or she starts losing weight, go back to the vet promptly rather than waiting for the scheduled check. You're doing the right thing by her.