Feeding your cat a high quality diet will help them live longer, healthier lives. It can also save you money by preventing health issues like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Canned food has a higher water content than dry kibble and is better for your cat’s overall health. However, you must be careful to select a good brand with a low sodium content.
Canned Food
Cats are natural carnivores, and they need a diet rich in animal protein. Canned food is a good option for feeding cats because it contains high meat content and fewer carbohydrates than dry kibble.
Canned foods are crafted by combining and then cooking meats, minerals, fats, and vitamins together in a way that makes them more digestible for your kitty. This process also helps to maintain freshness.
When you’re looking for canned cat food, pay close attention to the protein and fat percentages. Ideally, your pet’s diet should have about 50-60% protein and less than 10% carbohydrates.
Dry Food
Dry food can be a great way to provide cats with the nutrients they need to thrive. Look for a dry food that contains high-quality protein (turkey, chicken or fish) to keep your cat energized and satisfied.
It is also a good idea to choose a dry food that contains the essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals your pet needs. Taurine, for example, is an amino acid that helps your cat absorb key nutrients from the food they eat.
In addition, dry food may help your cat stay hydrated. This is especially important if they have urinary tract problems, diabetes or kidney disease because they can’t easily compensate for dehydration on their own.
You should always follow the recommended feeding guidelines on your pet’s dry food, which will vary by age and activity level. Choosing a formula that is designed for your kitten or adult cat’s stage of life will ensure that you’re providing them with the nutrients they need to grow up strong and healthy.
Human Baby Food
If your cat is not feeling well or has recently had surgery on their teeth and can’t chew solid food, baby food can be a great option. It is soft and easy to digest which can help them get back to eating a normal diet quickly.
Human baby foods are safe to feed cats as long as they don’t have any additives or ingredients that are toxic to them. However, you should avoid feeding them any foods with onions or garlic as these can be harmful to cats.
Some baby food brands may have high levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury. That’s because the metals are commonly found in the soil and can remain in the foods we eat for decades.
Vegetables
Vegetables can be a great way to provide your cat with some healthy additions to their diet. They are low in calories and can be offered as a treat in small amounts.
Vegetables also contain antioxidants and vitamins that can be beneficial to your cat’s overall health. They can help prevent a number of health problems, such as obesity and diabetes.
However, it is important to note that vegetables should only make up a fraction of your cat’s total diet. They should make up no more than 10 percent of your cat’s daily calorie intake.
Some vegetables, such as broccoli and carrots, can be very beneficial to cats. They are rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium and dietary fiber.