What Is The Best Way To Feed Your Cat?
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Over the years, many different products have been placed on store shelves to provide food for our feline friends. There are dry foods, wet foods, diets specially formulated for sensitive stomachs, and lifestyles. So how do you choose what is best? Well, it isn’t always easy because there are so many options to choose from. The most important thing to remember is that a proper diet for a cat requires high-quality, well-balanced nutrition. A good rule of thumb when purchasing new food is finding the most natural product with the fewest ingredients listed on the label.
There are three basic types of nourishment your cat needs: water, fat, and protein. Cats get their energy from fats, so it is important to use these first in the list of ingredients. Fat also carries flavor, so your cat will be more likely to eat food containing fat than food without it. The next ingredient should be animal-based proteins such as chicken or beef by-products because they are easier for cats to digest than plant-based proteins like corn gluten meal or soybean meal, which are used in some cheaper cat foods. They should be listed as the second ingredient on the label. The food must also contain at least 40 percent protein because cats are carnivores and need a significant amount of protein to stay healthy. A good rule of thumb is looking for foods with meat listed first or second on the ingredients label.
Next, look at the food’s moisture content. Generally speaking, dry foods are better for cats because they contain less moisture than canned food which can lead to urinary tract infections in some cats. Be sure to stay away from any products containing fish or seafood ingredients because these may upset your cat’s stomach and cause diarrhea. Also, avoid any foods containing corn or soy as a carbohydrate filler. There is some debate as to the use of these ingredients, so it is best not to take a chance on your cat’s health if you can avoid them.
Remember that the label only shows the contents AFTER processing, and manufacturers may elect to leave out certain components such as vegetables and fruits. That’s why many veterinarians recommend feeding cats a diet of dry food since the main ingredients are more obvious and will not upset your cat if there is any excess. If you do feed your cat wet or canned food, be sure to rinse it well under running water before serving in order to remove excess salt and additives.
If you don’t currently feed your cat a particular type of food, please consult with your veterinarian before starting. You want to make sure that you are meeting all of your cat’s nutritional needs.
Also, ask your veterinarian if you are currently feeding your cat a particular type of food whether or not it is okay to switch to another kind. As with any change in diet, this should be done gradually over the course of several days so as not to upset your pet’s stomach.