Switching senior cat from homemade to wet food

Moving a 12-year-old cat off a homemade cooked diet is a bigger transition than most people expect — their gut has adapted to that specific food, so the switch needs to be gradual and the replacement needs to be genuinely good. Senior cats generally need higher protein than younger cats (not lower, despite what some labels suggest), reduced phosphorus to protect the kidneys, and wet food is ideal for keeping them hydrated. The right commercial food really does depend on what's going on health-wise, though. How old is your Havana Brown exactly, do they have any diagnosed conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, and what did the homemade diet typically consist of?

That's really useful — slightly elevated kidney values without being in full CKD territory is exactly the situation where getting the diet right now pays off later. The loose stools make sense: chicken breast and rice is very low in fat and fibre, and most commercial wet foods have a richer profile, so her digestive system is adjusting. That should settle within two to three weeks as long as you're not switching brands frequently. On the kidney front, you want a food that's moderate in phosphorus and high in moisture — but not yet the heavy restriction of a prescription renal diet. Which commercial food did you switch her to?

Supermarket senior wet foods are generally fine for healthy cats, but when kidney values are already creeping up, the phosphorus levels in most of them are higher than you'd want. I'd move her onto Royal Canin Renal wet food in pouches. I know it sounds like jumping to a prescription diet, but Royal Canin actually sells the Renal range over the counter — no prescription needed — and it's specifically formulated with controlled phosphorus and high-quality protein at levels that support kidney function without over-restricting. It's also very palatable, which matters for cats who've been eating fresh food and have opinions. The texture is close to a smooth pâté, which most cats find easy to eat. Mix it in gradually over about ten days alongside what she's eating now and her digestion should stabilise at the same time.

One thing worth watching is whether she starts drinking less once she's fully settled on wet food — that's actually a good sign, because she'll be getting most of her hydration from the food itself rather than a bowl. Cats who've eaten dry or homemade often don't drink much from a bowl anyway, so wet food is doing real work there for kidney support. Keep running bloods every six months given the elevated values — that's the best way to know whether the food is making a difference. And if she starts losing weight or becomes fussy, that's worth flagging to the vet quickly, as both can be early signs of progression. But honestly, the fact that you're being proactive at 12 with only slightly elevated values puts her in a good position.

Perfect plan. Ten days minimum on the transition — a little longer won't hurt given her digestive adjustment is already underway. The loose stools should resolve as the Royal Canin becomes the majority of her diet. Good luck with her, and well done for getting ahead of the kidney situation rather than waiting.