Feeding a Senior Cat With Low Appetite

A 13-year-old British Shorthair with a reduced appetite is actually a really common — and important — situation to get right. Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional needs, and at that age those needs shift: they need highly digestible protein, enough calories packed into small portions, and good hydration — wet food is almost always the better choice for seniors, especially for kidney health which becomes critical in older cats. To point you in the right direction: does your cat have any diagnosed health conditions, and what are you currently feeding him or her?

That weight loss alongside reduced appetite is worth keeping an eye on — worth mentioning at her next vet visit if it continues. But the dry food is almost certainly part of the problem. Older cats often lose enthusiasm for kibble as their sense of smell dulls with age, and dry food's low moisture content puts extra strain on kidneys that are already working harder than they used to. Switching Mabel to a wet food that's calorie-dense and palatably strong-smelling can make a real difference. Can you tell me — does she seem to have any preference between pâté-style textures versus chunks in gravy or jelly?

That's exactly what I needed to know. For Mabel I'd recommend Royal Canin Ageing 12+ in gravy — specifically the wet pouches, not the dry version. Despite the name it does come in a smooth, highly digestible loaf format in some varieties, but more importantly the 12+ wet range is specifically formulated for cats over 12 with declining appetites: it's high in calories relative to portion size, has enhanced palatability with a stronger aroma to tempt fussy senior cats, supports kidney function, and the texture is easy on older teeth. The protein is highly digestible and the phosphorus levels are moderated — which matters a lot for kidney health even if Mabel's kidneys are currently fine. Give her small portions warmed slightly to body temperature — that releases the aroma and makes it far more appealing. You're looking for the Royal Canin Ageing 12+ wet food pouches on Amazon UK; they come in a 12-pack which is good value.

At her age and size — British Shorthairs typically sit around 4–5kg — one pouch per day split into two or three small meals is a reasonable starting point. The key with a reduced-appetite senior is little and often rather than two big meals. Offer a fresh small portion, leave it down for 20–30 minutes, then remove it. That freshness cue, combined with warming the food slightly, tends to trigger appetite much better than a bowl that's been sitting out. If she's eating consistently but still losing weight after a few weeks on wet food, that's the point to loop the vet back in — there could be an underlying thyroid or dental issue worth investigating.

Good plan. The warming tip alone converts a lot of reluctant senior cats — it makes a surprisingly big difference. If Mabel still seems disinterested after a week or so, try a different flavour within the same range; older cats can be oddly variable about fish versus poultry. And do keep an eye on that weight — a kitchen scale and a weekly weigh-in (you stepping on holding her, minus your own weight) is a simple way to track whether things are moving in the right direction.