Choosing cat nutrition and the healthiest food for your cat can be difficult. Bringing home a kitten or cat from the animal shelter can evoke similar concerns as bringing home a new baby from the hospital. What's the healthiest cat food to feed? What nutrients are most important? How can you choose a cat food that keeps your cat fit and healthy?
Cats are carnivores, meaning their nutrition is primarily made up of animal proteins. In the wild, they eat small game such as rodents, birds and fish. Once cats become domesticated they rely on their human guardian for all of their nutritional needs. Before you bring your new pet home, learn all you can about what food to provide. The right food prevents health problems and ensures that your cat will maintain a healthy weight.
What All Cats Need - The Right Cat Nutrition
Cats need the following nutrients to keep them healthy:
- Protein: Protein is essential for cats. Protein helps promote lean muscle growth.
- Fats: Fat is often found in the form of fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6. Similar to humans, too much fat can lead to weight gain, but the proper amount of fat can help keep their skin and coat healthy.
- Fibre: Cats need the correct amount of fibre, found in sources like brown rice, to support proper digestive health and prevent excess gas and other gastrointestinal problems.
- Water: Cats require plenty of fresh, clean water daily in order to remain healthy. Always supply your cat with as much water as they'd like to drink by leaving out a bowl, using an automatic refilling tower or a similar reservoir that replenishes it when you're not at home.
Cats also need plenty of vitamins and minerals in their food. In the wild, these vitamins and minerals are available in their prey. But a domestic cat must receive adequate vitamins and minerals through the food you provide.
Like people, cats need vitamins A, E, K and B vitamins. Folic and pantothenic acids are also required for healthy growth and maintenance. According to PetMD, cats produce plenty of vitamin C on their own, unlike their pet parents, and do not need supplemental vitamin C to stay healthy. Additional minerals that cats need include calcium, phosphorous, and iodine. Taurine is a required essential amino acid that cat's need in their daily nutrition. These vitamins, minerals and nutrients should be provided in the cat food fed, there is no need to supplement.
Carbs
You may have noticed an entire food group left out: carbohydrates. Fruits, vegetables, and grains are all healthy members of this category, but cats have a shorter large intestine than omnivores (like people), and therefore have trouble digesting large amounts of it. If your cat has trouble digesting certain carbohydrates, a high-quality cat food such as Hill's Science Plan will provide adequate carbohydrates in an easily digestible form.
When These Needs Vary
Kittens and nursing cats both need more calories and more nutrient dense foods. Kitten’s needs includes more fat and protein to build strong bones, while pregnant and nursing cats need higher levels of fats and other nutrients to help support their growing kittens. Senior cats need fewer fats to help maintain a healthy weight. At each stage of your cat's life the nutritional needs differ.
Tasty Tips
Choosing the Healthiest Cat Food
Choosing the healthiest cat food may take time, create a cat meal plan that's simple and easy to follow. Both wet and dry foods provide complete nutrition.
If your cat has a health issue, make sure you consult your vet. Your vet will help you find the right food to ensure your cat gets the right nutrition appropriate for their condition.
Some pet parents prefer to feed one form of food in the morning and another at night. For example, before you go to work, you may want to fill your cat's bowl with dry food. Then when you go to bed at night, you can offer a small plate of wet food. This type of feeding schedule helps keep your cat's weight in check while providing plenty of nutrients for their general well-being.
Common Feeding Concerns
How can you tell if the cat food you've chosen is just right? It's a learning process, and there are several things new cat parents should remember when it comes to cat nutrition:
Avoid Overfeeding
Cats love food just like you. The difference is they don't know to wait twenty minutes to realise they're full after the bowl is empty. Your cat may ask for more after finishing but giving in to every meow will cause gain weight in no time. Keep an eye on your cat’s waistline, a healthy cat should be lean and trim. You don't want to see ribs or bones protruding, but when you run your hands over the sides you should be able to feel plenty of definition. An overweight cat has rolls of fat on the abdomen, sides, and face, and tends to act lethargic aside from their usual naps.
One Type of Food or Two?
A common cat feeding question is, "Can I serve only one type of cat food, wet or dry?" Cats can exist on a meal plan with just dry food, receiving a complete source of balanced nutrition as well as fibre for healthy digestion. Read the labels when purchasing a high quality, veterinarian recommended food to ensure they’re meeting all their needs. If you're concerned that your cat is not drinking enough water, you could try supplementing dry cat food with wet cat food. Consult your vet if you have any concerns.
Provide Enough Water
Due to their size and activity level, there's a common misconception that cats don't need a lot of water. On the contrary, they should have plenty of fresh water available at all times. Some cats are very finicky about their water source, so keep your cat's water bowl scrupulously clean and refill it daily. Automatically refilling towers are a big help in multi-cat households, as it provides a constant fresh supply so you don't have to tend to it as often.
No People Food
Table scraps are a fast track to obesity for many cats, adding calories without adequate nutrition. And never feed your cat chocolate, caffeinated drinks like cola or coffee, raisins, grapes, or onions, all of which are poisonous to cats. Foods that include these ingredients can be deadly.
Avoid Milk
Believe it or not, most cats are lactose intolerant. Feeding your cat a bowl of milk may actually give her gas, indigestion, and a very upset stomach. If you want to give your cat a treat, a few kibbles of their cat food, good quality or homemade cat treats are a better option.
The right cat food can keep your pet healthy and active for many years to come. By choosing a high quality cat food, providing fresh water and avoiding some of the common myths mentioned above, you'll provide the best nutrition for your pet.
Related products
Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken
Hill's Science Plan Urinary Health Adult Cat Food with Chicken supports the health of the whole urinary system. Suitable for sterilised cats.
Oral Care Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Oral Care Adult Cat Food with Chicken contains clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build up.
Senior Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Senior Cat Food with Chicken is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports healthy aging during the golden years. Contains a special ingredient blend to help keep older cats agile, more alert & interactive.
Sterilised Mature Adult Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Sterilised Cat Mature Adult Cat Food with Chicken is specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology. It is a precisely balanced nutrition tailored to meet the needs of mature adult sterilised cats, ages 7+, and to promote graceful ageing.
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.