Feeding your cat healthy, balanced nutrition can make a tremendous difference in their health and longevity. It also helps avoid disease, discomfort and costly medical bills.
Cats, being strictly carnivores, have specific dietary requirements for nutrients most commonly found in ingredients of animal origin. A diet devoid of these nutrients can result in nutrient imbalances, ill health and even life-threatening conditions.
Meat
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need meat in their diets. You don’t have to throw your kitty a raw steak every night, but meat products should make up the majority of her diet, whether dry kibble or canned food.
Meat is a vital source of protein for your cat and can provide a wealth of nutrients. It contains amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins and minerals that are essential for your cat’s health.
Meat can be eaten either cooked or raw, but it’s best to choose a lean cut of meat like chicken, turkey or beef. Always cook meat thoroughly, and remove all skin and bones from the meal before feeding it to your cat.
Fish
Fish can be a great treat for cats, but it’s important to keep in mind that it shouldn’t be their only protein source. As carnivores, our felines haven’t evolved to live on fish alone, so giving them this food in large quantities can be harmful.
In addition, fish is high in histamines which can cause allergic reactions in cats. Plus, it’s a good idea to avoid fish that swim in polluted water as they’re likely to pick up toxins from PCBs and pesticides.
Vegetables
Vegetables are a great way to add more variety to your cat’s diet while sneaking in some extra vitamins and minerals. They can be offered in small cat-bite-sized pieces for your pet to enjoy, and they’re also low in calories.
Vegetables for cats should be cooked, steamed or pureed to facilitate digestion. Some of the best vegetables for your cat include carrots, peas, frozen corn, broccoli florets, green beans, zucchini, lettuce, spinach and winter squash.
Carrots, for example, can be given raw or cooked, but ideally, they should be boiled, blanched or steamed to prevent them from choking your pet. Broccoli, a vegetable with high dietary fiber, can help your pet control its bowel movements and relieve constipation.
Cheese
Cheese is a high-calorie food that contains calcium, protein and vitamins. It also has a fair amount of fat and salt.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal-based protein for nutrition. Cheese is not a good source of the type of protein cats require for optimum health.
Cheese has a high amount of lactose, which can cause vomiting or diarrhea in cats. It is also not a healthy treat for your cat as it is high in calories. It should only comprise up to 10% of your kitty’s daily diet.
Grains
Grains are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates which can be used by your cat as a long-lasting energy source. They also provide important nutrients including iron, thiamine, calcium, riboflavin, and folate.
In addition, grains are a good source of fiber, which helps support healthy gastrointestinal function in cats. They also help prevent hairballs, which can be a problem for some cats.
Since cats have been eating grains for 10 millennia, they have adjusted to the carbohydrate content of this food and can digest it without problems. Veterinary nutritionists and dermatologists may recommend grain free diets for cats with unusual sensitivities or allergies, but these diets usually are more expensive than traditional cat foods.