This is a specific conversation about Senior cat food — what they need as they age — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
A reduced appetite in a 10-year-old cat is worth taking seriously — it can be a normal sign of slowing down, but it can also flag something like dental pain, kidney changes, or nausea that's worth ruling out with a vet check. That said, senior cats generally do best with higher protein than most 'senior' labelled foods actually provide, reduced phosphorus to protect the kidneys, and wet food to keep them hydrated and interested in eating. The right pick really depends on the individual cat though. How old exactly is your cat, are there any diagnosed health conditions, and what are you currently feeding them?
She's just turned 10, no health conditions that we know of — vet gave her a clean bill of health at her last check six months ago. She's always been a fussy eater but lately she's leaving more of her food than usual. Currently on a dry kibble, a supermarket own-brand senior one.
inparticular.ai
That's really helpful. Dry kibble is often a big part of the problem with fussy or appetite-reduced cats — it has very little aroma compared to wet food, and smell is how cats decide whether something is worth eating. At 10, her sense of smell may also be slightly dulling, which makes a strongly aromatic food even more important. Switching to a high-quality wet food will very likely make a noticeable difference on its own. Has she ever had wet food, or has she always been on dry?
She had wet food as a kitten but we moved her onto dry a few years ago for convenience. She'll eat treats happily enough, which makes me think it's more about palatability than being unwell.
inparticular.ai
That's a really telling detail — if she's enthusiastic about treats, this is almost certainly a palatability issue rather than illness. Treats tend to be intensely aromatic and flavourful, which is exactly what dry kibble isn't. The good news is this is very fixable. I'd recommend Applaws Chicken Breast in Broth — it's a simple, high-protein wet food made with real whole chicken breast in a light broth, which makes it both aromatic and palatable without being overly rich. The broth also adds hydration, which matters more as cats age. It comes in small tins so you can try it without committing to a big bag, and most fussy cats take to it quickly. The ingredient list is clean — no fillers, no artificial flavours doing the work, just genuinely good food she should want to eat.
That sounds good. Should I just switch her straight over or do it gradually?
inparticular.ai
Given that she's been on dry food for a few years, I'd do a gradual transition over about a week — start by offering the Applaws alongside her kibble rather than mixed in, since some cats are suspicious of new food touching their old food. Once she's eating it happily, you can phase the kibble out. Some cats also prefer their wet food slightly warmed to room temperature, as the heat boosts the aroma. If she's still hesitant, a small sprinkle of a flaked fish topper on top can bridge the gap. You should see a real improvement in her appetite within a week or two of switching.
Brilliant, I'll give that a go. Is there anything else I should be keeping an eye on at her age?
inparticular.ai
At 10 she's entering the senior bracket, so annual vet checks are worth keeping up with — kidney function in particular is worth monitoring through bloodwork from around this age, even in cats that seem well. Dental health is another one, since sore teeth are a common hidden reason for reduced appetite in older cats. And keep an eye on her weight — both weight loss and gain can signal something brewing. But honestly, a fussy cat who's active, normal at the vet, and just bored of her kibble is a very good position to be in. A better food will likely solve this completely.
