Many older pets do well on fresh food: it is soft, aromatic and full of moisture, which helps when appetite or teeth are not what they were. Set the portion by your pet's current weight and activity, and keep your vet involved for any health condition.
Why fresh food can suit older pets
- Moisture: our dog meals are around 65% to 70% moisture and our cat meals 71% to 75%, so every meal adds water to the day.
- Soft texture: gently cooked meals are easy to eat for pets with fewer or sensitive teeth.
- Aroma: fresh food smells like real food, which tempts a fading appetite. Serving it slightly warmed (never hot) releases even more aroma.
- Gentle recipes: single-protein meals and gentle carbohydrates for sensitive stomachs.
Getting the portion right
Older pets often move less, and some lose muscle or weight. Portion by how your pet lives now, not how they lived at 3 years old.
- Update your pet's weight, body shape and activity level in My Pets (Edit Pet), or re-run Build My Box.
- Weigh your pet every 2 weeks for the first month, then monthly.
- For a less active pet, the lighter recipes help: Chicken or Surf & Turf for dogs, Purrfect Chicken for cats. See calories per recipe.
More: my pet's needs have changed and weight gain or loss.
Tips for older pets
- Smaller meals more often can be easier than one or two big ones. See meals per day.
- A splash of bone broth adds moisture and flavour. See bone broths.
- Keep hard chews such as Lamb Trotters for dogs whose teeth can handle them.
- Switch gradually, and consider the gentle 21-day plan.
If your senior pet has a medical condition (for example kidney disease) or is on a prescription diet, please speak to your vet before changing food. Soluky is not a prescription diet. See vet-prescribed diets and when to see a vet.
Pregnant or nursing pets also have special needs. Please ask your vet before changing their diet.
Want your vet to review the plan? See sharing your plan with your vet.
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