Cats are true carnivores, and therefore must eat actual meat and not meat substitutes, to survive and be healthy. Commercial cat food consists mostly of animal products. However, it is supplemented with some grain filler and premium cat food also contains added vitamins and minerals.
There are two main groups of cat food, dry cat food and wet cat food. The debate over which one is best for your cat goes on, as some owners worry that their cat will not get enough water when eating dry cat food. Dry cat food certainly wins over in convenience to wet cat food. There are also different diet cat foods for those cats with specific medical conditions e.g. diabetic cat food or hypoallergenic cat food.
For any cat owner, feeding their cat can often be difficult, as cats are well known for being fussy eaters. So balancing your cats health needs with what they will eat, can often be a task. However, there is now so much choice available to cat owners to tempt the fussiest feline or those with health issues.
One of the leading brands of cat food on the market is Hills Science diet cat food or Hills prescription diet cat food. Many fussy cats can find one flavor of biscuit or wet food that they like and their range includes many types of foods for specific requirements.
Oral disease is one of the most common health problems in adult cats. Plaque is the main cause of oral disease. As plaque builds up on the teeth and around the gums, bacteria irritates gum tissue and can lead to infection. If not treated, it can lead to serious disease of the liver and heart.
Specially formulated foods can help keep your cats teeth clean and healthy. They work by helping scrape debris off your cat’s teeth. Hill’s science Diet oral care offers just such a cat food.
Cats that are obese can suffer from respiratory problems, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. For this reason you need to consider very carefully your cats diet. If your vet suggests you start your cat on a complete weight loss program, he will also suggest several specially formulated cat foods for your cat.
There are now several good dry cat foods available such as Hill’s light cat food, Royal Canin or Blue cat food. These all have restricted calories and fat, with the proper amounts of fatty acids, protein, vitamins and minerals to keep your cat healthy while they are losing weight. They also have the advantage of being easy to measure and monitor the exact amount your cat gets.
Hairballs are a very common problem with cats, especially if they don’t have access to grass, have long coats or like to constantly clean themselves. For this reason, a diet that is high in fiber can help your cat pass existing hairballs and help prevent new ones forming. Again Science plan and Royal Canin offer hairball control cat foods.
Another common ailment in cats is urinary infections. Symptoms include inappropriate urination in places other than the garden or litter box. Nutrition is an important factor in treating and preventing urinary problems. The proper balance of nutrients helps maintain proper pH levels. Purina ProPlan along with plenty of drinking water offer the correct balance for your cat.
Older cats often require a special diet. Senior cats sometimes do not digest, and thus absorb fat, as well as younger cats. This means that older cats need to consume fat that is more digest able to get the same amount of energy. There are now many brands of cat food on the market for senior cats including, Natural Choice, Science Diet for seniors and Royal Canin.
Cats are best fed twice per day, giving small cat treats between meals if necessary. If your cat does not like a diet of biscuits, there are plenty of good wet cat foods available. Even then if your cat refuses to eat a commercial diet, you may be able to tempt it with cooked chicken and other meats, or the occasional tuna meal (not in brine). These can be gradually mixed in with brand cat foods to get your feline used to other foods.
It is well worth trying several different brands and flavors for your cat. Even choosing a cat food in gravy or jelly can make a difference. Whichever cat food your cat chooses make sure it is a good quality cat food as some cheap cat foods do not offer the recommended nutrients for your cats health. If in doubt seek information from your local veterinary nurse or surgery.
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