Switching senior cat from raw to wet food

Switching a raw-fed cat to wet food is actually one of the more nuanced transitions — raw diets are typically very high in protein and moisture, so you'll want a senior wet food that keeps protein genuinely high rather than cutting it, supports kidney health with controlled phosphorus (Exotics are prone to PKD and renal issues as they age), and mimics that high-moisture profile your cat is already used to. To point you to the right food: how old is your cat exactly, do you have any confirmed health conditions or vet concerns on file, and what raw diet were you feeding — DIY or a commercial brand?

That's really useful — a 10-year-old Exotic with early kidney watch and a background on quality raw is a specific situation. The main risk when switching is finding wet food that actually matches the protein density she's used to, without the phosphorus load that can stress kidneys over time. A lot of mainstream senior wet foods quietly lower protein and bulk up with fillers, which isn't what you want here. Can I ask — is she a good eater generally, or has she ever been fussy about textures or new foods?

Perfect — pâté texture makes this transition much easier, and it tends to blend flavour and moisture well, which helps bridge the gap from raw. Given her age, the kidney precaution, and her raw background, I'd go with Royal Canin Renal wet food in the mousse format. It's formulated specifically for cats with kidney concerns — controlled phosphorus, good moisture content, and a smooth pâté-style texture she should take to well. It's prescription-adjacent but available without a vet prescription on Amazon UK. The protein level is moderate rather than sky-high, which is intentional for renal support — slightly lower than raw, but appropriate given what her kidneys may be heading toward. It's a clinically well-regarded choice for exactly this profile.

She probably will notice — raw has a distinct smell and texture that cats imprint on — but Exotic Shorthairs are generally adaptable compared to, say, Siamese, and the mousse format is your best bet for a smooth introduction. The practical tip: mix a small amount of the Royal Canin mousse in with her raw for the first week, gradually shifting the ratio. Starting at about 20% new food and increasing every few days usually gets even raw-converted cats eating confidently within two weeks. Warming it slightly (just to body temperature, not hot) also helps replicate the fresh feel of raw and makes the aroma more appealing.

A few things worth keeping an eye on: stool consistency will likely change as wet food has different fibre levels to raw — softer stools for a week or two are normal, but if it persists beyond that, flag it with your vet. Also watch her water intake — cats on wet food often drink less because they're getting moisture from the food, so don't be alarmed if she visits the water bowl less. Most importantly, given the kidney watch, it's worth booking a follow-up blood panel with your vet about three months after the switch so you have a baseline to compare going forward. The Royal Canin Renal mousse is a solid long-term diet for her, not just a transitional food.