Senior cat food for stressed or picky eaters

Moving home is genuinely stressful for cats, and an 11-year-old British Shorthair going off food after a big life change is really common — their environment matters enormously to them. As a senior, he likely needs higher protein than he did as a younger cat, reduced phosphorus to protect his kidneys, and wet food is especially important now both for hydration and because the smell and texture tend to be more appealing when appetite is low. The right food also depends on whether there's anything else going on health-wise. How old is he exactly, does he have any diagnosed conditions like kidney disease or dental issues, and what's he currently eating — or refusing to eat?

Two months of reduced eating and some weight loss at 11 is worth getting checked by a vet soon — not to panic you, but kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and dental pain all commonly show up around this age and all affect appetite. A quick blood panel will tell you a lot. That said, stress-related appetite loss after a move is absolutely real and switching away from dry food could help significantly right now. Dry food has very low moisture content and relies heavily on smell to attract cats — when they're stressed or slightly under the weather, that stops working. A high-quality wet senior food will be more hydrating, easier to digest, and the stronger aroma tends to get reluctant cats eating again. Has he shown any interest in wet food before, or has it always been dry?

That tracks — supermarket pouches often have quite a bland smell and a lot of gravy filler, which isn't very convincing to a suspicious cat. British Shorthairs can be quite particular, and a cat who's already off his food needs something genuinely appetising. My recommendation is Lily's Kitchen Chicken & Duck Pâté for Senior Cats. It's a proper pâté texture rather than chunks in jelly, which many cats find easier and more appealing, especially if there's any dental sensitivity. It uses real named meat as the main ingredient, has appropriate protein levels for a senior, and no artificial additives. The smell is noticeably stronger than supermarket options, which matters when you're trying to tempt a cat back to eating. Serve it at room temperature — not straight from the fridge — as that brings out the aroma and makes it much more attractive. Start with small portions several times a day rather than leaving a full bowl down.

Given that he's already barely eating the dry food, a gradual transition isn't really necessary here — in fact, mixing wet into food he's already refusing can just make both less appealing. I'd offer the Lily's Kitchen pâté on its own, at room temperature, in a clean shallow bowl. If he eats even a little, that's a win — build from there. Do book that vet appointment though. If he's still losing weight or appetite doesn't improve within a week or two of switching, you want to rule out an underlying cause rather than just keep trying different foods.

Good plan on both counts. The vet visit will give you peace of mind and a baseline to work from — and at 11, knowing his kidney values is genuinely useful even if everything turns out fine. Hope he settles in and gets his appetite back soon. British Shorthairs are resilient cats, they just take their time adjusting. Feel free to come back if you want advice once you have his test results.