Food is essential for every living being; the same goes for cats. You must offer high-quality, nutritious food to keep your kitty healthy and disease-free. However, choosing the right cat food for optimal health is difficult; one must consider various aspects of feeding felines. It includes knowing about your cat’s age, dietary preferences, and underlying medical conditions or allergies (if any), incorporating high-protein, low-carb food items, getting commercial food only from reputed brands, reading the ingredient list before deciding on a particular cat food, and lastly, consulting the vet for expert advice.
Keep reading this article to know how to choose the right cat food for your kitty.
Why Do We Need to Select the Right Food for Cats?
Our furry cats, just like humans, need a special diet. They have been born as obligate carnivores; that is, their food should have nutrients that are found in animal products. Their food should also contain a balanced proportion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to function and carry out their daily activities well.
Giving your cat the right food will keep them healthy, active, and, most importantly, free from illnesses. Moreover, finding the correct type of food for your cat will help you understand your cat’s dietary preferences better.
What Makes the Perfect Food for Cats?
Many new cat parents wonder about finding the best food for their cats. You can easily know this by dividing the food into healthy and toxic categories.
Below, we have made a table of some common nutritious food items for your cat and their benefits.
| Cat Food | Benefits |
| Chicken | This meat type is good for your cat’s muscular strength. |
| Fish | It boosts the cat’s immunity, maintains good brain health, and prevents arthritis. |
| Beef Liver | It has a lot of taurine, which will help your pet have good vision, digestive properties, and a healthy heart. It also helps cats during their pregnancy. |
| Cooked Eggs | They are a good source of nutrition and give immunity to cats. Also, eggs help maintain their coat and skin. |
| Berries (in moderate amounts) | They are a good source of antioxidants and flavonoids, which benefit your cat’s overall health. |
| Brown Rice | It prevents diarrhea and constipation in felines. |
| Oats | They help maintain cats’ gut health and prevent infection and allergy. |
| Cantaloupe | This vegetable is a good source of protein, which gives cats energy throughout the day. |
| Steamed Broccoli | It improves digestion, lowers cholesterol, prevents blood clotting, and hydrates cats. |
Tips on Choosing the Right Food for Pet Cats
Feline feeding options can be confusing, so here are some tips for choosing the right food for your furry friend.
Consider Your Cat’s Life Stage
A baby cat will have different dietary requirements than an adult or pregnant cat. For example, kittens and pregnant cats require a diet with a maximum percentage of protein, moderate amounts of healthy fats, and adequate vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. Kittens especially need food rich in amino and fatty acids for tissue development. However, an adult cat requires a balanced diet with additional vitamins and minerals to boost immunity against aging-related body changes.
Always Choose Proteinaceous Food
As mentioned before, cats require a high-protein-based diet to be healthy. Too much fat and carbs can lead to obesity and other physical issues. So, give foods that are high in protein but low in carbs.
Never Offer Cats Large Meat or Fish Bones
Cats can get injured or choked if they accidentally eat large pieces of bones. As a good cat parent, remember to debone fish and meat before letting them eat.
Read the Ingredients List for Commercial Food
If you plan to buy cat food from a supermarket, purchase it from trustworthy brands. Read the ingredients list and see if your pet’s dietary proportions are met. Purina Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Wet Cat Food can be a great choice, as millions of feline parents trust it. It comes in various flavors and is suitable for cats of all ages. However, be careful to check the expiry date, as expired products can harm your pet.
Decide Between Wet and Dry Food
The debate between wet and dry food like kibble for cats has been long-standing. Both have their pros and cons. For example, wet foods have a high water content but can’t be refrigerated for long. On the other hand, dry foods are inexpensive options but often contain high fat and carbohydrate content, which can make your cats obese. The right thing to do is to consult your veterinarian and select or combine the two.
Consult Your Vet
If you aren’t sure of which food would be appropriate for your kitty or your pet has some underlying health issues, talk to a vet. Based on your cat’s age, overall health, and undergone treatments or surgeries (if any), they’ll provide you with a detailed diet chart.
Risks Associated with Feeding Improper Cat Food
While the right food offers a cat good health, imperfect food can make the poor creature sick and ill. Here are some specific foods you should never provide your cats.
| Improper Food | Risks |
| Chocolates | They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. |
| Alcohol | It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death. |
| Onions and Garlic | They cause hemolytic anemia. |
| Raisins and Grapes | These fruits can lead to kidney failure in your cat. |
| Xylitol-based Gums and Candies | These food items can lower your pet’s blood sugar levels. |
Conclusion
As we conclude, make sure to find your cat the best food for them. Remember to consult a veterinary doctor in cases of emergency and take precautions to avoid toxic food items. Your cat will be healthy and fine if they eat food that is good for their health and overall well-being.
