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When choosing cat food, you need to consider their age, physical condition, activity level, and medical history. You can prevent many of your cat’s health problems, including urinary tract disease and obesity, by following proper feeding guidelines. Therefore, you should learn the pros and cons of each type of cat food and how to form a feeding habit. You should purchase AAFCO certified feed and discuss certain feeding methods with your veterinarian if you have questions or doubts.
Steps
Selection of Cat Food
- Cats are “obligatory carnivores.” They need to absorb animal fat and protein to get enough nutrients. You need to make sure that the cat food meets your cat’s nutritional needs. [2] X Research Source
- Water should not be ignored. Water is an extremely important component of a cat’s diet, and cats that eat dry food need to drink more water because they don’t get enough water from their food. Rinse your cat’s bowl and change the water regularly. You can also prepare a fountain or drip device to increase water intake by giving your cat some entertainment. [3] X Research Sources
- If your cat has urinary tract disease, diabetes or kidney disease, the amount of water in canned food can help them absorb enough water. Canned cat food contains up to 78% water. [4] X Research Sources
- Dry foods often have more nutrients because they contain less water. [5] X Research Sources
- Protein and carbohydrate composition in dry and wet feed often varies by type of recipe. Dry foods usually contain more calories because they don’t have as much moisture as wet foods. [6] X Research Sources
- If you decide to feed your cat a variety of foods, be careful not to overfeed. You also need to make sure that the foods you provide in your meals contain enough calories and nutrients.
- Look for the AAFCO (American Association of Food Control Officials) statement on your cat’s food packaging. This organization ensures that the treats will meet your cat’s nutritional needs. [10] X Research Source
- Avoid foods that contain artificial colors and flavors or harmful chemicals.
- If a product’s name uses words like “tuna” or “chicken” before the phrase “cat food,” it means the product contains at least 95% of this ingredient. For example, “Chicken Food” must contain 95% chicken.
- The word “with” in the product name means that this food contains about 3% of the accompanying ingredients. “Food with Chicken Ingredient” may contain as little as 3% chicken, while “Chicken Food” may contain at least 95% chicken.
- Cat foods containing phrases such as “dinner” or “snack” contain less than 95% meat but more than 25% meat ingredients. Often these products use grains or other protein sources, as by-products, to be added to the main ingredient of the feed.
- There is a difference between the words “meat,” “meat byproduct,” and “powder.” [12] X Research Sources “Meat” deals with the “meat” (muscle and fat) of animals and is generally considered a source of protein of the highest quality. “Meat by-products” are clean, meat-free parts such as organs, bones, brains, and blood. These ingredients are not harmful to cats (you need to remember that many people still eat offal!), but they have a lower quality protein content than meat. “Metal flour” is the hard tissue or bone and is often considered the lowest source of quality protein.
- If you decide to feed your cat home-cooked food, you should carefully select recipes from reputable sources. Furthermore, you must verify that recipes provide nutritional information including the calorie count and calcium to phosphorus ratio. [14] X Research Source
- Consider purchasing a meat grinder and/or food grinder to make it easier to prepare cat food.
- Keep in mind that cats need to eat meat, but they also need to eat a variety of foods other than meat to maintain a healthy diet. Carbohydrates, such as rice or corn, can be absorbed in small amounts. Feed ingredients should also contain fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Consider Your Cat’s Special Dietary Needs
- Your veterinarian can also assist you in determining your cat’s normal weight range.
- Most fat percentage tests use a rating scale of 0-5 or 0-10. 0 represents malnutrition (underweight, starving cat) and 5-10 represents overweight. The ideal pet’s weight is between: 3 on the 0-5 scale and 5 on the 0-10 scale.
- You should feel the ribs when you place your fingers on the cat’s belly and chest, but your fingers should not be caught between the bones. If the ribs are prominently protruding, it is a sign that your cat is underweight. If you can’t feel the ribs, or there is fat covering them, this is a sign that the cat is overweight.
- When looking at the cat’s body from the side and front, you should be able to see the cat’s waist. If their body is oval and lacks a sharp waist, then the cat is obese. And when the waist is reduced (like a hunting dog), the pet cat is losing weight.
- The cat’s belly should not swoop down; This is a sign that the cat’s belly contains too much fat.
- Do not adjust your cat’s diet too much. Cats have an abnormal metabolism and a severe calorie deficit can adversely affect the liver.
- A high-fiber, low-calorie diet that’s high in fiber helps keep cats feeling full. They will lose weight slowly over several months. Some examples include Purina OM (Obesity Control) and Hills RD.
- A high-protein , high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet to match your cat’s natural digestive capacity. Feeding cats high amounts of animal protein helps them lose weight. Hills MD is an example.
- The Metabolic Diet was developed to stimulate the metabolism of cats. This diet has only one food available for cats: Hills Metabpic Diet (for cats).
- Kittens stay in the post-weaning phase until 12 months of age. Kittens need more protein and calories because they are still growing. Kitten food also has a unique balance of minerals to support the nutritional needs of growing cats. [22] X Research Source
- Adult cats range in age from 1-7 years old. An effective nutritionally balanced adult cat food that helps maintain a normal weight.
- Elderly cats are cats 8 years of age or older. Older cats often have health problems or lack of flexibility. They need certain nutrients such as glucose and fatty acids. [23] X Research Sources This type of food is often low in protein which can cause kidney deformities in older cats. [24] X Research Source
- There are also several “lifestyle” diets for neutered or domestic cats. This type of food is usually lower in calories than regular cat food, but that’s just the main difference.
- Diabetic cat foods often remove humectants and certain carbohydrates to control and stabilize your cat’s blood sugar. In addition, cats with diabetes also need insulin treatment. You should consult with your doctor about your cat’s needs. [26] X Research Sources
- Cats with weak stomachs or ulcerative colitis may be able to eat a limited or prescribed ingredient diet, such as Hills i/d, Purina EN, or Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal. [27] X Research Source
- Cats with urinary tract problems should usually eat a controlled diet of minerals that are likely to accumulate in the cat’s body. Purina UR, Hills CD, Hills XD, and Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Urinary SO are some good examples of this type of diet.
Forming the Habit of Feeding
- Breaking a cat’s feeding schedule can be stressful and lead to digestive and other health problems in cats.
- There is often no set standard for how much to feed a cat due to differences in size, age, activity level, and weight. But typically a cat weighing about 4 kg needs to consume 250 calories per day to maintain proper nutrition. 250 calories is equivalent to 4/5 of a cup of dry food or less than 180 ml of wet food.
- Follow the feeding instructions on the feed packaging or the manufacturer’s website as a starting point. Then adjust the amount of food based on your cat’s weight and response. [29] X Research Sources
- The potential downside to liberal feeding is that you may not be able to closely monitor changes in eating behavior and some cats will overeat when given comfort food access. You should always keep an eye on your cat’s weight and make adjustments if necessary. [32] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Small stainless steel bowls are durable and easy to clean, so you should choose this type.
- You should clean the bowl after each feeding and always have clean water available for your cat.
- Kittens should get all their nutrition from their mother’s milk for the first 4 to 6 weeks of life. When you are ready to wean, you should give your cat a special food. Feed them 5-6 times a day because kittens need to eat often and each meal does not overeat during the day. [33] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Adult cats should be fed twice a day. Use the prescribed portion size and adjust the food intake as the cat ages and becomes less active. [34] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Older cats only need to eat once a day. You should follow your veterinarian’s advice for the special nutritional needs of your cat.
- Giving your cat too much junk food will make them obese and have digestive problems.
- Eating too much junk food also means that the cat eats less food often leading to nutritional imbalances.
- It’s okay to give your cat some tuna from time to time, but this fish doesn’t provide the nutrition they need, so you shouldn’t completely replace the regular food. [36] X Research Source
- Raw milk and dairy products: Cats are not able to digest lactose, and milk (other than mother’s milk) can cause diarrhea and digestive problems. Tremorgenic mycotoxins have the potential to form from expired dairy products and are especially dangerous for cats. [38] X Research Source
- Grapes and raisins: Although the cause is unknown, these two types are not good for both cats and dogs. This type of food affects the kidneys and causes the cat to vomit. [39] X Research Sources
- Raw bread dough. Powder containing live yeast can be dangerous for cats and can affect the stomach.
- Chocolate: Although cats generally don’t like this food, it’s still a good idea to keep it out of their reach.
- Onions/garlic/chives/scallions: This and similar group of plants can cause anemia and some serious red blood cell-related problems. [40] X Research Source
Advice
- The FDA does not regulate the use of words like “high quality” with pet foods. “High quality” pet food does not necessarily have better ingredients or nutrients than regular food. You should always check the nutrition facts on the package to see what you’re feeding your cat.
- You should always be aware that environmental factors such as the number of animals, temperature and climate can all affect your cat’s eating habits. If their eating habits change, it’s not necessarily a sign of a serious problem. You’ll need to monitor your cat’s eating habits, activity level, coat shine, and eye clarity to determine if they have major problems. But if your cat doesn’t eat or drink for 24 hours, you should take her to the vet right away.
Warning
- Do not give your cat milk instead of water. Milk is not required in a cat’s diet, and some cats cannot digest the lactose in cow’s milk.
- Do not give your cat any foods that are not intended for them. Cats’ metabolisms are very different from those of humans or even dogs, and they should only be eaten cat food to prevent some serious nutritional problems and illnesses. [41] X Research Source
This article was co-authored by Joey Lusvardi, one of our co-authors. wikiHow co-authors work closely with editorial staff to ensure that the content is as accurate and comprehensive as possible.
There are 27 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 37,592 times.
When choosing cat food, you need to consider their age, physical condition, activity level, and medical history. You can prevent many of your cat’s health problems, including urinary tract disease and obesity, by following proper feeding guidelines. Therefore, you should learn the pros and cons of each type of cat food and how to form a feeding habit. You should purchase AAFCO certified feed and discuss certain feeding methods with your veterinarian if you have questions or doubts.
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