Best food for senior cat with low protein

So your vet has flagged that your Ragamuffin's protein levels need a boost — that's actually one of the most common issues we see in cats around this age, and it's really good that it's been caught. Senior cats often lose muscle mass gradually, and the right food can make a real difference in reversing that trend. As a breed, Ragamuffins are fairly large and muscular, so maintaining that lean body mass matters even more for them. To point you toward the best option, it would help to know: is there anything else going on health-wise — kidney values, weight changes, digestion? And what are you currently feeding?

That's helpful — and the fact that her kidneys are still clear gives you real flexibility, because you can go for genuinely high protein without needing to hold back. The muscle loss on the back legs is classic sarcopenia, which is essentially age-related muscle wasting, and it responds well to a significant protein uplift. The supermarket wet food is likely where the gap is — those pouches tend to be quite low in actual meat protein and padded with gravy and starch. Can I ask: is she a good eater, or has her appetite been a bit picky lately? And are you open to moving more toward a predominantly wet diet?

Mostly wet is absolutely the right call here — better hydration, easier to hit high protein, and generally more palatable for cats her age. For a Ragamuffin with vet-confirmed protein deficiency and good kidney health, I'd point you to Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food in the tin format — specifically their adult and senior range in chicken or tuna varieties. Applaws tins typically run 60–75% named meat protein content, which is genuinely high compared to most mainstream brands including Royal Canin's standard senior pouches. The ingredients list is short and clean — no cereals, no fillers — and the texture holds up well for cats who have preferences about their food. It's widely available on Amazon UK and reasonably priced per serving when you buy in multi-packs. I'd suggest keeping a small amount of the Royal Canin dry as a supplement if she needs the crunch or you want a safety net for days she's being fussy, but make Applaws wet the main event. Transition over about a week to avoid digestive upset.

Muscle rebuilding is slow — realistically you're looking at 8 to 12 weeks before you notice a visible difference in her back legs, so don't be disheartened if week two looks the same as week one. What you should see sooner is improved energy and coat condition, usually within 3 to 4 weeks, which is a good early sign the protein is landing well. Watch her weight during the transition — Applaws is calorie-dense, so if she starts to look a little chunky rather than lean and muscular, just reduce portion size slightly. Also worth doing a kidney recheck with your vet at around 3 months, just to confirm the higher protein load is sitting well with her values. Given they're clear now, it should be fine, but it's worth tracking.

Smart move — starting with a small quantity is exactly the right approach with a fussy eater. The chicken in broth variety tends to be the most universally accepted, so I'd try that first. Good luck with the switch, and well done for taking the vet's advice seriously — catching this at 10 with good kidney values gives her a real chance to regain that muscle and stay comfortable for years to come.