Senior diet for a 7-year-old Bengal cat

Seven is right at the threshold where it's smart to start thinking about your cat's diet more proactively — well done for getting ahead of it. Senior cats generally do better with higher protein to maintain muscle mass, reduced phosphorus to protect kidney function down the line, and more wet food to keep them well hydrated. The right choice really does depend on your cat's current health, though. How old is your Bengal exactly, do they have any health conditions or vet concerns so far, and what are you currently feeding them?

That's exactly the right mindset. A healthy 7-year-old Bengal with no existing conditions is a great candidate for a gentle transition to a senior-focused diet. Bengals are high-energy cats even as they age, so maintaining muscle mass with good protein levels is a real priority — you don't want to drop protein too early. The main shift at this stage is starting to moderate phosphorus and boost hydration through wet food, which protects kidney health before any strain shows up on bloodwork. What's the split currently between her dry and wet food — is she eating more of one than the other?

Given she's healthy, active, and you're playing the long game here, I'd recommend switching her to Royal Canin Ageing 12+ wet food pouches as her primary wet portion and gradually increasing that over time. I know 12+ sounds like a jump from 7, but the formulation — lower phosphorus, higher moisture, good protein balance — is actually ideal as a preventative diet starting now. It's designed precisely to support kidney function and hydration before issues arise, which is your goal. Keep a small amount of quality dry food if she loves it, but work toward a 50/50 or 60/40 wet-to-dry split over the next few months. You can find the Royal Canin Ageing 12+ pouches easily on Amazon UK, usually in 85g multipacks. It's a practical, vet-aligned choice for exactly what you're describing.

Completely fair question. The '12+' label refers to when it becomes a must-have, not when it's safe to use — think of it like a preventative supplement rather than a corrective one. The phosphorus levels are still appropriate for a healthy cat, and the higher moisture content is nothing but beneficial at any age. You're not overdoing it — you're just giving her kidneys an easier ride before there's any reason to worry. Many vets recommend exactly this approach for cats over 7 with no current conditions. The formulation won't cause harm; it'll just quietly do its job in the background.

Slowly is always better with cats — they're notoriously opinionated about food changes. Mix about 25% of the new food with 75% of her current wet food for the first week, then go 50/50 the second week, then 75/25 the third, and fully switched by week four. Bengals can be particularly particular, so if she stalls at any stage just hold that ratio a little longer before moving on. No rush — the goal is to get her there without a hunger strike.