What I Recommend as a Vet: 5 Products That Support Your Cat’s Longevity and Wellbeing
What I Recommend as a Vet: 5 Products That Support Your Cat’s Longevity and Wellbeing
Written by Alessandro Didiano (doctor in veterinary medicine, MRCVS)
Disclaimer: This article is personally written by me, a licensed veterinarian with more than a decade of clinical experience. It’s for general information only and not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult a vet for health concerns or emergencies.
This is part two of my longevity series. Last week, I shared 5 vet-approved products that support dogs as they age. This time, as promised, we’re focusing on cats.
Lorenzo was a large tabby with a quiet and confident attitude. He as 21 years old. He had arthritis in his back legs, a bit of dental disease, and he walked like an old man who’d seen too much. But when I put my stethoscope on his chest, his heart was steady, his breathing calm. Bloodwork was remarkably good for a cat his age.
As I reviewed his history, I noticed something unusual: Lorenzo hadn’t had many medical issues at all. No chronic kidney disease. No diabetes. Not even hyperthyroidism.
When I asked the owner what she thought the secret was, she said: “Well… I give him good quality senior cat food. It is freshly cooked. He’s been on a joint supplement since he was eight. And I’ve always looked after his teeth. That’s about it.”
Then she added: “Also, he eats with a fork, and I think this helps his digestion.”
(I thought she was joking about the fork part. She wasn’t.)
Lorenzo wasn’t just lucky. Of course, genetics play a big role too. Some cats, like some people, are just built to live longer. But he was a good example of how good nutrition (fork aside),` prevention, and a few simple routines, can change the trajectory of a cat’s life.
So here it is: my personal list of 5 vet-approved products that I regularly recommend to cat owners. Each of these targets a key area of feline health: brain, joints, gut, kidneys, and overall vitality.
You don’t need to use them all, but even 1 or 2, consistently used, can make a big difference over time.
1. Cognitive Support: Aktivait for Cats
Feline cognitive decline is very common in senior cats, though it often goes unnoticed. Affected cats usually become more vocal, disoriented, restless at night, and can forget how to use the litter box.
Aktivait for Cats contains a mix of antioxidants and nutrients (including CoQ10, vitamin E, and L-carnitine) that support healthy brain aging. In my experience, it can help older cats stay more alert and emotionally stable.
⟶ VetPlus Aktivait for Cats – available here
Tip: It is much better to start cognitive support early, before symptoms become advanced.
2. Joint Health: YuMOVE Joint Care for Cats
Joint pain in cats is often underdiagnosed. Unlike dogs, cats rarely limp. Instead, they may jump less, groom less, or become withdrawn.
YuMOVE for Cats includes glucosamine, omega-3s, and green-lipped mussel to reduce inflammation and support cartilage health. It’s one of the most palatable and easy-to-administer options I’ve found (comes as a sprinkle capsule over food).
⟶ YuMOVE Joint Supplement for Cats – available here
3. Gut Health: Purina FortiFlora for Cats
The feline gut microbiome plays a role not only in digestion but also in immunity and even behavior. If your cat has a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, a probiotic can be very helpful.
FortiFlora is a probiotic supplement I have been recommending for years. It contains a guaranteed level of live beneficial bacteria and is palatable (even for picky cats)
⟶ Purina FortiFlora for Cats – available here
4. Kidney Support: Ipakitine
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is, without any doubts, the most common illness in older cats. It can be slowed significantly with early intervention.
Ipakitine is a phosphate binder that helps reduce kidney workload by limiting phosphorus absorption. I always recommend it for cats with CKD.
⟶ Ipakitine Phosphate Binder – available here
5. Daily Multivitamin: AniForte MultiVitamin
As I explained in my article from last week, a balanced diet is the foundation of health. However, older cats can still benefit from extra nutritional support.
VetriScience NuCat Senior includes taurine, antioxidants, and a spectrum of vitamins and minerals tailored for aging cats.
⟶ AniForte Multivitamin for Cats – available here
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to do everything. Start with one product that feels manageable and appropriate for your cat’s age and health status. Over time, as your cat ages, you can adjust.
Just like in people, the secret to a longer and healthier feline life isn’t one magic pill, but rather a combination of consistency, prevention, and early support.
As always, feel free to message me or talk to your vet if you’re unsure what’s best for your individual cat.
And give your cat an extra cuddle today. Lorenzo would approve.