Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

6 Homemade Cat Food Recipes for Senior Cats (With Pictures)

Homemade Cat Food Recipes for Senior Cats

We all know that a nutritionally balanced diet made up of high quality ingredients is vital to a long and healthy life. But with so many types of senior cat food on the market, how can you be sure that you’re choosing one that fits your elderly feline’s dietary restrictions? Well, in short, extensive research! This is only one option though – you might also opt for a few vet-approved recipes that you can create in your own kitchen.

Now, before making any sort of drastic switch in the food you serve to your cat, you should clear it with your veterinarian.  Unfortunately, there isn’t one size fits all when it comes to transitioning your cat to senior food. So, your vet will have a better understanding of the health of your feline and what they require as they enter their golden years!

Although cats are obligate carnivores, there is a lot more involved than just giving them some meat. It’s important to make sure they are getting the right amount of protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, and this is particularly important for our older felines. This can be really tricky to do at home, which is why AAFCO-approved and formulated cat foods are the safest way to go. There are lots more options these days when it comes to commercial cat food, with companies like Smalls that make freshly prepared meals that are just like homemade but have been tested to ensure they meet AAFCO standards.

The following recipes will provide you with some great inspiration for creating some healthy homemade recipes for your geriatric feline, but we recommend that these are only given once or twice a week as a special treat.

divider 3 paws

The 6 Homemade Cat Food Recipes for Senior Cats:

1. The Easiest Senior Cat Food Recipe

cutting-boiled-chicken

Chicken & Tuna Senior Cat Food

If you're looking for a great cat food recipe for senior cats, you've found it. This is the world's easiest recipe - just blend three simple ingredients - and it provides great nutrition to your elderly kitty, which is low in fat for more sedentary lifestyles, with fiber to help keep them regular. Serve your cat a healthy treat!
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • Storage container

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup chicken breast (plain) cooked
  • 1/2 can tuna within springwater with oil
  • 1 tbsp cooked sweet potato or pumpkin

Instructions
 

  • Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces
  • Combine with the tuna & veg and serve!
  • If your elderly cat struggles with eating chunks, you can combine all three ingredients in your blender or food processor to create a paté consistency.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days or the freezer for up to three weeks.

Notes

Image credit: Tagwaran, Shutterstock
Keyword cat food recipes, cat food recipes for senior cats, senior cat food recipes

2. Tuna Patties

This easy to assemble recipe includes 4 ingredients that will keep your senior cat both intrigued and satisfied. Ready in a whopping 15 minutes means you will able to whip this meal up for your feline in a jiffy. The recipe yields 6 patties and depending on your cat’s feeding schedule will last two or three days in the fridge. The best part about this recipe is that the ingredients are simple enough to stockpile in your pantry. Make sure that when you are choosing canned products, that you select the ones that are free of any additives.


3. Supplemented Chicken Cat Food

old black and white cat eating
Image Credit by: Elizabett, Shutterstock

This recipe will require a bit more of a commitment from you as it takes about an hour to prepare and includes a few supplements that senior cats may benefit from. Now before supplementing your feline with any of the vitamins in this recipe it is important that you receive approval from your vet! Once you have the A-OK, you can proceed with this hearty senior cat food recipe!

While sharing human food with your cat is not always safe, we have a solution that will keep you both smiling.

We've currently got a 40% discount to share on the HUMAN-GRADE premium cat food that ranked number #1 in our reviews! CLICK HERE & use code Catster24 to SAVE 40% on Smalls cat food!


4. Mackerel Recipe for Senior Cats

Fish is an excellent source of fatty yet nutritional oils for cats. When we think of their love for fish, tuna might be the first swimmer to pop into our heads, but mackerel is a much healthier option. This recipe would be a great treat for a senior cat once or twice a week to ensure they get their fill of the healthy fats mackerel provides! Sardines are another great alternative if you are looking to swap mackerel occasionally.

Our Favorite Product Right Now

Since you invest a lot of time curating the perfect homemade recipes for your cat, it would only make sense to present it in a high-quality, modern bowl to match. Serve your cat in style with the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl! Dual, stainless steel bowls are wide and shallow for optimum comfort and an elegant wide tray collects crumbs or splashes. Learn more about the NomNom Bowl here.

Hepper NomNom - Spill Proof Elevated Cat Bowl
  • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
  • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
  • CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking...

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!


5. Homemade Chicken Cat Food

cat eating chicken dinner
Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock

This recipe is a great option if your senior cat also has a sensitive tummy. This recipe is cooked, simple, and sure to be a favorite of your mature feline! There are only 4 ingredients, each natural and free of additives, making it easily digestible.


6. Homemade Beef Cat Food

Here is another great option for senior cats with sensitivities. Limited and all-natural ingredients and simple preparation make this recipe one for the books!

Get Free Cat Food Recall Alerts!

Your cat’s health matters. Get instant notifications about cat food recalls here

divider 1 paws

Wrapping Up

Of course, old age is inevitable, but that doesn’t mean we need to start preparing for the worst. It means we should prepare for the long haul! Maintaining the health of your feline as they age should be a priority and starting with their food is an excellent idea.

We hope that you have found these unique yet simple recipes useful when learning how to make cat food for senior cats!

Looking for more great recipes for your feline? Check these out!


Feature Image Credit: Kristi Blokhin, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Recipe Rating




Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Can a Cat Hear Better Than a Dog? Vet Approved Differences & Comparison

Cats and dogs often get compared to each other, and many people engage in heated debates to determine which pet is better than...

Flat-Face Cats: Our Vet Discusses Brachycephalic Breeds & Health Risks

Brachycephalic means “short head” or “flat face.” You may be familiar with brachycephalic cat breeds, such as the Persian and Burmese. These smooshed-faced...

How to Comfort a Sick Cat: 12 Vet Approved Tips

It’s very hard for cat owners to see their usually affectionate and playful cat moping around the house, but that can happen when...

Can My Cat Take My Dog’s Flea or Worm Medicine? (Vet Answer)

Dogs and cats are plagued with similar parasites, including fleas, ticks, and certain worms. So, is it safe to assume that preventative options...

More related

Can You Build Up an Immunity to Cat Allergies? Vet-Reviewed Tips & Facts

Cat allergies are frustrating, especially when the sufferer is a cat lover. Cat allergies can cause skin rashes, nasal congestion, and asthma discomfort....

Javanese Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Javanese cats are a special breed. They are clever, feisty, and mischievous cats that love to spend time with their favorite humans. Their...

Can Cats Drink Orange Juice? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Some people like to share certain safe foods with their cats, and most consider orange juice healthy and nutritious, so it’s only natural...

10 Best Pellet & Pine Cat Litters in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Being a cat owner can be one of the most rewarding experiences for us humans, but one of the distinct disadvantages is dealing...

Keep reading

10 Best Cat Treats for Picky Cats (2025) – Reviews & Top Picks

You spend hours at the pet store picking out the best treats for your cat, only for them to be rejected without so much as a taste! Cats are notoriously picky, but some of them are obviously pickier than others....

devon rex cat eating

How to Massage a Cat With Arthritis: 4 Vet Approved Techniques & Tips

Cats are known for being good at hiding their pain. After all, they evolved in an environment where showing pain put them at higher risk of being attacked by a predator or another feline. Fortunately, vets are starting to understand...

Cat-Massage

My Cat Just Threw Up Worms, What Do I Do? 7 Vet-Approved Tips

It is unsettling to see your cat throwing up worms. After all, worms are not something that you expect to see when your cat vomits. Such a sight can leave you in a panic about what to do. To help...

tired sick cat lying on bed

Why Do Cats Stretch Their Claws? 7 Vet Reviewed Reasons & Tips

If you’ve been around cats, it’s evident they’re closer to their wild roots than dogs. While humans welcomed canines into their lives up to 40,000 years ago,1 it took us longer to warm up to felines, with domestication going back...

cat paws and sharps claws

Why Do Cats Scoot? 5 Vet Reviewed Reasons & What to Do

If you live with a feline, you may have seen your buddy engage in a few less than elegant activities, including the dreaded scoot—where your cat’s dragging their butt on the floor leaving something stinky behind. Cleaning up the results...

cat-sitting-scooting

Is Patchouli Safe for Cats? Vet-Reviewed Health Facts

Humans have used essential oils for eons—as long ago as 4500 B.C. in Ancient Egypt, where they were used in ointments and cosmetics. Today, essential oils are used as part of aromatherapy and to help with minor health conditions. But...

Patchouli Flowers

11 Best Brushes for a Himalayan Cat in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Himalayan cats are known for their endearing nature and stunning appearance. Caring for a Himalayan is a rewarding experience, but it requires significant grooming duties. The cat’s long, thick coat becomes easily tangled if it’s not brushed every day, and...

Cat with long hair being brushed with hepper brush

Is Celosia Toxic to Cats? Vet-Approved Facts & Safety Guide

Celosia argentea var. plumosa is a plant that is commonly used as an ornamental flower. It is a part of the amaranth family, and while it is native to Asia, it can now be found in many parts of the...

Catster_Is Celosia Toxic to Cats