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Best Cat Food for Arthritis 2024
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/29/2024, edited: 05/07/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Arthritis is an unavoidable part of life for many of our fur-babies. Stiff and aching joints can cause them a great deal of pain and have a huge impact on their quality of life.
But while there’s no cure for this debilitating condition, it can be managed. And one of the key ways to help your pet manage their arthritis is through their diet. The right diet for cats with arthritis will contain lean protein and the right amount of calories to help your pet stay in a healthy weight range, relieving strain on their joints. It’ll also be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy joints.
There are prescription arthritis diets available from your vet, but even if your pet doesn’t require one of these formulas, there are still many other high-quality commercial diets that can help. Keep reading to take a closer look at the best high-quality cat foods for arthritis.
Overview
Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Senior Chicken Recipe
Vet recommended
This Senior Recipe from Wellness is designed to offer all the nutrition your golden oldie needs to stay healthy and happy.
It features added glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy hips and joins, plus omega fatty acids for further joint support and to promote a healthy skin and coat. Fiber and L-Carnitine support your cat’s metabolism to help them stay at a healthy weight, and deboned chicken is the first ingredient.
Even better, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends Wellness cat food to her clients. “Wellness cat food offers a protein-rich, grain-free option for those on a budget, featuring both wet and dry varieties complemented by toppers and treats,” she says.
However, Dr. Jeremiah also offers a word of caution: “Wellness diets have been the center of several recalls in recent years and those seeking a safe wet-food alternative might consider the batch-tested Raised Right range.”
But if you’re searching for the best diet for a senior cat with arthritis, this Wellness recipe is well worth checking out.
Wellness Dog Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Features glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
- Designed to strengthen your cat’s immune system
- No artificial preservatives or flavors
Considerations & concerns
- Some mixed reviews from pet parents
- Some complaints about the smell of this food
- Some pet parents report that their cat refused to eat this food
What pet parents say about Wellness Complete Health Grain-Free Senior Recipe
“Simba is over 12 years old and always gets compliments on how good he looks for his age. I switched over to this food about 2 years ago, considering he was creeping into the senior years. His fur is beautiful, his activity level is amazing, his [bowel movements] are solid. He’s an all-around healthy boy and really seems to love this food. We’ve always had issues with him throwing up his food, and ever since we switched it’s gotten significantly less. He got some teeth removed about a month ago, and [he] is back to eating this food and has no issues since the kibbles are small. I’d definitely recommend giving this food a try!”
“My older cat really did well as we transitioned her to this dry food. She is 12 years old, so we wanted to get her something that would help her maintain her health. She is enjoying the food as far as I can tell. She’s been stalking me for it all day long.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image from Chewy. Copyright Wellness Pet Company.
Raised Right
Vet recommended
If you’re searching for the best fresh food to feed to a cat with arthritis, we recommend checking out Raised Right.
This meal delivery service specializes in home-cooked-style meals that are made using limited, human-grade ingredients.
There are 4 recipes to choose from — Original Turkey, Original Chicken, Turkey & Pumpkin Pate, and Chicken & Pumpkin Pate — and all are high in protein and low in carbs.
“Raised Right cat food offers a whole-food diet with real meat as the initial ingredient, ensuring a high-protein meal,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah. “Including organ meats for vital nutrients and antioxidants, their recipes often feature limited ingredients for simplicity and digestibility. Notably, they exclude grains, potatoes, and preservatives while prioritizing safety with batch testing and traceable ingredients.”
Check out the Raised Right range today to see what it has to offer for your cat.
Raised Right Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Human-grade ingredients
- Batch tested for safety
- Traceable ingredients
Considerations & concerns
- Expensive
- Not as convenient as dry food
- Not popular with some picky eaters
What pet parents say about Raised Right
“Ever since I started feeding my cat, “The Bear”, his Raised Right meals, he actually started waking me up in the wee hours of the morning insisting I refill his bowl. We switched brands after discovering he was experiencing elevated liver enzymes and losing weight. However, after starting him on Raised Right, he eats more frequently, is more active and he feels like he is regaining his weight. His fur is also silky soft now and I am not finding matted fur or as much hair loss as he was experiencing. He is a Maine Coon…so there was previously Bear hair everywhere! I’m so grateful that he loves Raised Right and that it is healing to him. We always want the best for our fur babies! Not only does Raised Right provide quality pet food, but their customer service has been exceptional as well! Double blessings!”
“My two cats love the Raised Right turkey recipe. I started them on it when they were young and just weaning off of kitten food. The transition was smooth, and they have now been eating it for about a year. I had read a few reviews before purchasing that some people's cats didn't like the food, but I've never had a problem with it. They have always been excited to get their next serving of Raised Right.”
Read more reviews on Raised Right.
Image sourced from the Raised Right website. Copyright Raised Right Pets LP.
Orijen Guardian 8
Vet recommended
Orijen Guardian 8 is specially formulated to help protect your cat against 8 key health issues, including joint and bone problems. To promote healthy joints it features omega-3 fatty acids from wild-caught salmon and herring, and to support healthy bones it features calcium from chicken and fish. It’s also high in protein, containing 90% animal ingredients, and supports a strong immune system.
Best of all, Dr. Georgia Jeremiah recommends Orijen cat food to her clients. “Orijen is known for its high protein content, incorporating meat, organs, and bones from multiple animal sources,” she says.
“Recipes are made with fresh ingredients and avoids fillers, artificial additives, and grains. Additionally, they include a probiotic blend for digestive health. One potential drawback is that these diets are expensive; however, overall this is a high-quality, convenient diet option.”
Look for Orijen Guardian 8 wherever you get your pet food.
Orijen Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- 90% animal ingredients and high in protein
- Features taurine for heart health
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
Considerations & concerns
- Expensive
- The use of multiple protein sources may not suit pets with food sensitivities
- Some complaints that large bags of Guardian 8 are not resealable
What pet parents say about Orijen Guardian 8
“I was looking for a higher-quality food for my cats. This was wonderful. Less puking and less runny piles in the litter box. Definitely recommend”
“We can literally see the difference this food has made in our cat's coat, and also the weight on her body. She's added a little weight which for her is desirable. She loves the food and once we gave this to her, she no longer wanted her other food which she had eaten for years! Highly recommend trying this food. We are now trying the wet and this seems to be a hit as well.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US, Inc.
Acana Senior Entree
Vet recommended
Acana Senior Entree is definitely worth a look if you’re searching for the best cat food for arthritis.
This recipe is made from 65% animal ingredients, with chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal its first 3 ingredients. Fish oil is included to provide omega-3 fatty acids that support healthy joints, while the fiber and probiotics in this recipe ensure a proper-functioning digestive system.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, also recommends Acana cat food to her clients. “Acana offers both wet and dry recipes and prioritizes human-grade fresh or raw animal ingredients,’ she says. “These protein-rich diets are available in grain-free varieties and are enriched with an omega fatty acid and probiotic blend to promote a healthy digestive tract, skin and coat.”
Acana Senior Entree is available in 4lb and 10lb bags, so why not give it a try to help your fur-baby manage their aching joints?
Acana Cat Food
Why Wag! loves it
- Made in the USA
- Features taurine, EPA, and DHA for heart and eye health
- High in protein
Considerations & concerns
- There are cheaper foods available
- Some pet parents report that their cat refused to eat this food
- Some complaints about this food causing an upset stomach
What pet parents say about Acana Senior Entree
“We fed Acana Senior Entree cat food to our 16-year-old cat, and I'm impressed with the results. Not only did my cat seem to love the taste, but I've noticed a significant improvement in her coat's shine and overall energy levels. The ingredients list reassures me that she's getting the nutrition she needs. Plus, the smaller kibble size was perfect for her. Highly recommend this cat food!”
“Our senior cat has digestive difficulties. Have tried numerous dry food types with nothing really making a difference. We are so happy with Acana. Read the ingredients list. Great stuff. She's on her second bag now. No problems with vomiting. Her fur has regained its lustre and softness. The packaging is nice too. Very easy to seal closed. I am very highly satisfied and definitely recommend!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Mars Incorporated.
FAQ
How can I tell if my cat has arthritis?
Why is it important to keep my arthritic cat in a healthy weight range?
Aside from diet, what else can I do to help my cat manage their arthritis?
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