Cats need protein in their diet and there are plenty of great protein sources to satisfy even the pickiest of felines. Here are some of the most common protein-rich meats in cat food:
- Boeuf
- Chicken
- Salmon
- Thon
- Whitefish
- Pheasant
- in religion
- Herring
- Mackerel
What types of cat food are available?
There are many choices of cat food, and the right one depends on your cat's age, physical condition, and preferences. The two main types of cat food are wet food and dry food. Dry food helps keep your cat's teeth healthy and can be weighed in precise portions to keep your cat at its optimal weight. Wet food is sold in cans or pouches and can take different forms, such as pâté or pieces of meat in the sauce. Cats that don't drink a lot of water can benefit from extra hydration from wet food, and veterinarians sometimes recommend this type of food for cats with kidney disease. Many pet owners feed their feline companions a combination of wet and dry food and occasional treats. Just make sure that whatever you feed your cat for her regular meals is complete and balanced nutrition for feline health
When and how to feed your cat?
Feeding your cat well is essential to preserve its good health and healthy lifestyle. He needs food that meets his nutritional needs and that respects his diet. In the cat, the meal is a moment of pleasant and gratifying ritual which does not present a social factor as in the dog. When and how to feed your cat? Find out the answer in this purring article!
What plants do cats eat?
In nature, the cat eats certain herbs (grasses) to purge itself, but it can also happen to it to consume fruits fallen from trees such as apples, pears, and peaches. Fruits and plants are a source of essential nutrients (fibers and vitamins) for the wild cat. However, it remains carnivorous, and its metabolism is not adapted to the consumption of raw vegetables.
How to feed a stray cat?
A stray cat, living in an urban environment near people, can be fed like any domestic cat. Indeed, the domestic cat can absorb a more varied food than the wild cat, because its intestines are longer than those of its cousin whose metabolism is almost exclusively adapted to the consumption of fresh meat. It is therefore quite possible to give industrial food (kibble, food) to stray cats in your neighborhood. They can also be offered leftover meat or offal, preferably lightly boiled, as well as well-cooked cereals (rice, etc.), small quantities of dairy products, and cooked green vegetables.
What foods should cats not eat?
For optimal digestion, your cat should avoid large amounts of carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, or cereals. Even if your cat shows you great interest in dairy products, you should avoid giving them to him. Indeed, once weaned, the cat digests milk very poorly, which often leads to diarrhea and therefore a significant risk of dehydration.
Types of food
Most cats in developed countries are fed industrial foods 1. These are marketed in stores in dry form, called croquettes, or in wet form, canned, in trays, or sachets. Some manufacturers also sell frozen raw food or blended ingredients for cat owners feeding their cats on the “ RAW feeding ” diet. There is a very wide variety of products with different characteristics, intended for each age group of the cat, for its physical activity. There are also specific diet foods for cats with medical conditions like kidney failure. or obesity.
Golden rules for feeding your cat well
Rule #1 for feeding your cat well: give it little to eat, but regularly
If you want a cat that only asks you for its bowl, then do as many people do: big chunks on the way home from work in the evening, which leads to obesity. Indeed, your cat will eat too much and will see you as the source of its food in the first place.
It is better to allow him access to several small meals (3-4 per day), which he will consume especially at night. Yes, food splitting makes perfect sense for cats. Accustom your cat from an early age to feeding independently, out of your presence. A good feeding dining for that or for the older ones who are starting to gain weight: fun or automatic distributors. By using a dispenser for kibble, for example, the cat only takes what it needs, and does not ask you to meow to fill its bowl. All this promotes physical and mental balance.
Rule #2 for feeding your cat well: give it balanced rations
The cat is a strict carnivore. He needs a minimum level of quality animal protein of 40% in his diet, lots of water, but little fat and no carbohydrates (the carbohydrate level should in no case exceed 10-12% ). Remember to balance the rations, accordingly, knowing that it is not necessarily easy to check the levels of starch (a carbohydrate) in industrial products. Pay attention to the proportions of cereals, rations, legumes, potatoes, or sweet potatoes, ingredients that are sometimes far too present in the compositions. On the other hand, vegetables such as green beans or zucchini can be offered to him to facilitate his digestion. It is important to know the weight of your cat and to adapt the quantity of food accordingly. For each " kilo of a cat ", plan 40 to 50 g of ration per day.
Rule #3 for feeding your cat well: avoid abrupt changes
If you need to change your diet, especially after reading these tips, avoid making sudden changes. This could cause digestive disturbances and diarrhea. On the contrary, gradually accustomed to the novelty. The food transition should ideally take place in at least 8 days, by mixing larger quantities of the new food into the old each day.
Rule #4 for feeding your cat well: don't forget the water
Cats generally drink little. The water they need is mainly found in their food. It is therefore important to provide at least one wet meal per day: meat, cheese, or soups (cooled) prepared with meat or vegetable broth and enriched with cereals, for example. Serve fresh water daily, as cats pay attention to the temperature and taste of water. Keep the water bowl clean and wash the water bowl every other day if possible.
Rule #5 for feeding your cat well: do not give him your leftover food
Human food is not suitable for cats, their nutritional needs differ from ours. There is therefore a risk of making your favorite hairball sick, which could cost you dearly to get it treated! Cats should have a diet enriched with vitamins and minerals and therefore consume foods that will give them what they need.
Rule #6 for feeding your cat well: stop with sweets
In the same register of well-intentioned affections, but dangerous for the health of the cat, do not especially give him cakes or other sweets. Sugar must be banned from the cat's diet.
Rule #7 for feeding your cat well: serve the mash neither too cold nor too hot
Make sure you don't give your cat food straight out of the fridge. They should also not be too hot but eaten at a temperature close to body temperature. And, except in the case of dry kibble, the meal should not be available to the cat for more than three or four hours.
