The Feline Longevity Study spanned 7.5 years and examined 90 healthy cats (age 7-17 years) equally stratified into 3 groups by type of diet: a complete and balanced senior diet; one supplemented with antioxidants; and a third diet supplemented with antioxidants, oils, and a prebiotic. Improvements in clinical and laboratory health measures were seen in cats receiving diet 3, which also had fewer decreases in lean muscle mass and general improvements in quality of life. Increased observation times in a second study revealed that cats receiving diet 3 also had significantly longer life spans, decreased disease incidence, and improved physiologic health measures (ie, body weight, lean body mass, skin thickness, red cell indices). Positive correlations were identified between survival and the preceding measures.

Studies conducted and funded by Nestlé Research and Development

Effect of nutritional interventions on longevity of senior cats. Cupp CJ, Philippe C,Wendell WK, et al. INTL J APPL RES VET MED 4:34-50, 2006.

The role of nutritional interventions in the longevity and maintenance of long-term health in aging cats. Cupp CJ, Kerr WW, Jean-Philippe C, Patil AR, Perez-Camargo G. INTL J APPL RES VET MED 6:69-81, 2008.