As a pet owner, you might find it overwhelming to navigate through a sea of cat food options. This article is here to shed light on that subject. We'll journey through the history of pet food, uncover the origins of modern cat food, and emphasize why commercially prepared cat foods are essential for your feline friend's health. We'll also discuss how to choose the right food based on your cat's unique nutritional needs, lifestyle, and even breed. So, let's embark on this informational trek to ensure you're providing the best possible nutrients to keep your beloved cat healthy and thriving.

What food should my cat eat?

You probably wonder, “What food should my cat eat?” The answer may not be as straightforward as you'd think, and it often depends on several factors. But don't worry, in this article, you'll find all the information necessary to help you make a more informed decision!

Understanding Your Cat’s Nutrition

Just like humans, cats have specific nutritional needs to maintain their health. Whether it's a kitten, an adult cat, or a senior feline, every stage of life requires different amounts of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The meat your cat consumes should provide it with the essential amino acids it needs to maintain good health. So, while milk may seem like a ‘natural' food for cats, most adult felines are lactose intolerant and can in fact develop diarrhoea from drinking milk.

Choosing the Right Food

The pet food aisle can be a bewildering place with all the different brands, types and flavors of food. A basic rule to follow is to look for foods that state they adhere to AAFCO's feeding trials for “Growth and Reproduction” or “All Life Stages”. This means that the formula has been fed to cats (or dogs, depending on the label) under strict guidelines and found to support health at all stages of life.

Here you need to look at your cat's life stage. Kitten formulas are for cats less than one year old, adult formulas are for cats from 1-7 years old, and senior formulas are for cats older than 7 years. If the food packaging doesn't indicate the life stage, it's better to avoid it.

Canned or Dry Food?

Whether to feed wet or dry food to a cat is an ongoing debate among cat owners. While dry food is significantly cheaper and can be left out for cats to self-feed, canned or wet food tends to have higher meat content and is often more appealing to cats. Wet food also provides hydration, which can be especially beneficial for cats with urinary issues. It's important to remember that there can be good and bad quality kibble and canned food options. The final decision often comes down to a combination of your cat's preference and what you hold as a priority.

Grain-free, Gluten-free, and other ‘Free from' Cat Foods

Lately, there has been a trend towards grain-free or gluten-free diets for cats. It's important to keep in mind that while cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require nutrients found in animal products, some grains in small quantities can still provide valuable nutrients. Furthermore, gluten or grain intolerance in cats is extremely rare. These ‘free-from' diets can sometimes lead to other issues, such as inadequate fibre intake. Therefore, unless your vet recommends a grain-free diet, it's not usually necessary to select grain-free cat food.

Before making any drastic changes to your cat's diet, it's advisable to speak to a vet.

Food Allergy or Intolerance

If your cat appears to have a sensitive stomach and leaves food behind consistently, they might be experiencing food intolerance or an allergy. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, or skin problems like itchiness and bald spots. However, bear in mind that these symptoms can also be signs of other health issues. If you suspect that your cat might have a food allergy or intolerance, it is essential to consult with your vet right away.

Treats, Supplements and Human Food

Regardless of the quality of their primary diet, cats get most of their necessary nutrients from their main food. However, treats can be a nice bonus and help with training. Remember to keep treats to a minimum to avoid weight gain.

Using supplements like multivitamins or digestive aids can sometimes improve your cat's well-being but it's not usually necessary if your cat is otherwise healthy and the diet is balanced. The decision to give your cat a supplement should be made in consultation with your vet.

Avoid feeding cats with human food, especially cooked bones and fat trimmings, as they can also lead to long-term health issues. Foods like chocolate, onions, and alcohol can be toxic for cats.

Changing Your Cat’s Diet

If you want to change your cat's diet, do it in a gradual way to avoid upsetting their stomach. Also, make sure to monitor your cat's behavior and toilet habits for any changes during the diet transition.

Summary

Choosing the right food for your cat can be a challenge with so many options available. It's vital to consider your cat's life stage, lifestyle, and health status when choosing a diet. Always make changes slowly and monitor your cat's reaction to the new diet. Whether you choose dry or wet food, grain-free, or something else, the goal should be to ensure that your cat is getting all the nutrients it needs for a healthy life. Remember, your vet is your greatest ally when deciding what food your cat should eat.

Source: https://pet-gp.co.uk/blog/what-food-should-my-cat-eat/