I have three middle-aged cats. One will be 12 next month and the other two will be 13 later this summer. The reason I switched to this brand is that one of my cats developed a food sensitivity resulting in bloody diarrhea. I tried other sensitive stomach and grain free types of food, but they did not resolve the problem. After much reading and research, I decided to give this food a try, and have been very happy with it. All three cats like the flavor. They transitioned to this food without a problem. Also, I believe this food is more nutritious than the Purina One dry food I was feeding before because all three cats gained weight on this food. I had to cut their portions back from about 1/3 cup to 1/4 cup of dry along with their canned pate type wet food per day (5.5 oz can divided 3 ways).

In the many reviews I read while researching this food, I saw a statement that really hit home with me. I am paraphrasing, but it was something like this "You either spend money now on quality food or later on vet bills." My middle-aged kitties all still look and act young and vital. They are doing fabulous on this food. I am hoping it will extend their good health and prevent future suffering from unnecessary illness later in their life.

My cat has hairballs about 3x a week. I decided to change his food to more a senior food since he's 13 years old. I mixed about 1/8-1/4 cup per cup of this food with is other Science Diet Hairball Control food that he's been eating for years to slowly introduce the new stuff. From the day he started eating this food he started throwing up 4+ times a day, not hairballs but mushy throw-up. I never increased it more than the 1/4 cup because after 4 days I pulled his food and just put out his Hairball Control food again. After two days he was back to normal hairballs 3x a week. I don't know what it was in this food that made him so sick but that was a horrible experience. Love Science Diet but this 11+ Age Defying one is not for him.

I grew up in a family where our pets are our family. My dad used to say that it was his choice in food (Science Diet) that was to credit for the health and longevity of my dog growing up. When I moved away and adopted two cats, well naturally I choose science diet. My oldest now 13, has not been ill a single day in his life. Ok maybe a little bug here or there, but no major or even minor illness. Yes, part genetics and I beleive a big part food. However, Hills kept messing with their formula- Natures Recipe to Ideal Balance to another Ideal Balance. I was getting tired of the changes so I put them on regular science diet chicken indoor formula. Then I saw this label and knowing I needed to get a age appropriate formula for both the little guys, I tried this. First, I have noticed a considerable shift in their energy and sleep patterns. Second, I have noticed a considerable differenc in thier wanting to socialize a ton more. Thrid, they love this food. And in the end, no matter all else. they have been so loyal and loving to us, I want to make sure they live out a loving life too. This food is it and I don't ususally buy the marketing copy on products, but I have come to believe what Hill's says about this product. Give it a try and your little ones will love you for it and maybe you won't worry so much about well...you know. Love them each day- they certainly have done this for you.

Small, round, brown, crunchies: that's all they had to add to the product description to distinguish this from the other " Science Diet Age Defying Adult 11+" product that has large, yellow, triangular, shapes. I always appreciate those in the online community who point out errors or misleading product descriptions. Both Science Diet Age Defying Adult 11+ bags have the same cat picture, the same "chicken recipe" yellow tag, and don't think zooming in to view the bowl of food pictured on both bags to help you distinguish what is brown and what is yellow. I have three ancient cats who only eat the yellow triangles, a product not carried in either the grocery store or tractor supply in my small town. It's a 150 mile round trip to the nearest PetsMart. I was thrilled to be able to order this online. Both Amazon and Science Diet have made it very hard to distinguish the difference between two similar products. This mistake has cost me time and money. Don't buy this if your cats want the large yellow triangles.

I wrote a review on the SD Age Defying, and this is the other type food I started out with. It's a small, rounded kibble that my older kitties are definitely liking and can eat easier than the store bought cheaper stuff! I tried the other SD and it's an even smaller kibble that is easier for my old cat's to eat. I started with this one and their coats are now shiny and beautiful and one cat had a skin problem that cleared up! I forgot to mention in the other review the difference in the smell of the litter box! Wayyy better than the cheapest food from the store, who's name I won't mention! The stink is way down, and I'm now working on switching wet food. We're at about 50% SD now, and they're still eating it. I tried to just give them the new canned food and THAT was a complete failure, so I am doing it slowly by mixing in the SD food. I got the little cans of chicken flavor to start off, so I wouldn't be wasting food. So far, I'm having success! And two of the 3 cat's had their weights even out and my indoor/ outdoor cat who is now only indoors since I moved, has not gained weight from his lower excerising. I really like this food, especially these two with the smaller kibble!