Senior cat won't eat after food switch

It sounds like the switch to a senior food has backfired — your Burmilla has decided it's not worth eating, which is actually a really common and frustrating outcome. Senior cats typically need higher protein (not lower), reduced phosphorus to support kidney health, and plenty of moisture from wet food. But at 15, palatability becomes just as important as nutrition — if they won't touch it, none of that matters. How old is she exactly, does she have any diagnosed conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, and what senior food did you switch to that she's now refusing?

That makes a lot of sense — Royal Canin Ageing 12+ has a very specific texture and a fairly mild scent, and some cats, especially ones who've always been enthusiastic eaters, find it deeply unimpressive. Burmillas can also be a bit particular. Since her kidneys are currently fine, you have flexibility to prioritise something more appealing right now rather than going full renal-diet. What texture was she on before — pâté, chunks in gravy, something else? And is she eating anything at all at the moment, or has she gone almost completely off food?

Got it. The jump from Whiskas jelly chunks to Royal Canin Ageing pâté is quite a big sensory shift — different texture, different smell, different everything. A few bites a day at 15 is genuinely concerning, so the priority right now is getting her eating consistently again. I'd recommend Encore Cat Broth pouches — specifically the chicken breast in broth variety. It's essentially whole shredded chicken in a light, fragrant broth, which is very close to jelly chunks in how it eats, and the aroma is strong enough that almost every cat notices it immediately. It's high in real meat protein, low in phosphorus compared to many mainstream foods, grain-free, and has excellent moisture content. It won't stress her kidneys and it has a very strong track record with cats who've gone off their food. Start by offering it alongside or instead of the Royal Canin and see how she responds — most owners report an immediate reaction.

Good question — the broth pouches on their own are complementary rather than complete, so they're not designed as a sole diet. What I'd suggest is pairing them with Encore's complete mousse or a complete wet food she'll accept, and using the broth pouches as the main attraction to get her eating. Alternatively, Encore do complete grain-free pouches in similar flavours — the complete range uses the same high-meat approach and most cats who take to the broth will eat the complete version too. Once she's eating reliably again, you can think about whether to gradually work in something with a kidney-supportive profile. But right now, eating is the priority.

I think she'll surprise you — the smell alone tends to get a reaction. If she takes to it, move to the complete Encore pouches as her main meals and keep the broth as a top-up or appetite booster. And if she's still only eating tiny amounts after a few days even with a food she likes, it's worth a vet visit just to rule out anything else going on. At 15, a sudden drop in appetite can occasionally be the first sign of something like hyperthyroidism or early dental pain, even if the last check was fine. Hope she's back to her old self very soon.