All cats need a well-balanced diet. There are many ways to achieve this, and many different foods which are suitable for cats. So which is best?
Commercial Cat Food
Pet food manufacturers have devoted a great deal of time and research to developing the ideal cat food. Therefore any well- known brand of cat food is suitable and can be used to keep a cat healthy. Like people, cats have food preferences, and a little research may be needed to find a brand and flavour which the cat likes. Also like people, some cats prefer to ring the changes, and want a variety of different brands.
Either canned or dry foods are suitable for cats, and some owners like to feed a mixture of the two. They are both equally good, but if only dry food is given to the cat, make sure that it has plenty of fresh water available.
Never serve dog food on a regular basis to cats, as it does not have all the nutrients the cat needs.
Fresh and Home Cooked Food for Cats
Some owners like to feed their cats fresh foods. There is nothing wrong with this, but great care must be taken to ensure that the cat’s diet is nutritionally balanced. Fish, red meat, chicken, and cheese are all good sources of protein for a cat. However, do not give the cat cooked meat or chicken bones, as they may splinter and become stuck in its throat.
Vegetables, fruit, and starchy foods are all suitable for cats, but only in very small amounts. But if the cat doesn’t like them, it doesn’t matter.
How Often Should Cats be Fed?
Kittens up to the age of four or five months should be fed four or five small meals a day. The length of time between meals should be increased as the kitten grows up, until as an adult cat it should get two meals a day. However, some cats like to eat little and often throughout the day, and this is probably similar to how they would feed in the wild. This is quite acceptable, and dry cat food is especially suitable for this method of feeding. Some owners feed the cat canned food twice a day, with dried food available all the time, and this probably combines the best of both worlds for the cat.
Cats rarely overeat, but should not be fed too many treats or special tidbits between meals, as this can sometimes lead to overeating and obesity, particularly in the less active older cat.
Overall, so long as a cat has a varied, balanced diet, it does not matter too much what it eats or how often. Somewhat like its owner in fact!
Other articles about cat care by the same author:
- How to Pick Up a Cat
- How to Carry a Cat on a Car Journey
- How to Train a Cat or Kitten to Use a Litter Box
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