Feeding your cat a properly balanced diet is important for health and comfort. Cats are mostly carnivores; hence, their diet needs to be composed of adequate amounts of proteins, vitamins, minerals. All of this is essential for maintaining a good digestive system and a healthy body. Proportions with sufficient nutrition are also important in enhancing their dental health.
In this article, we are going to put an eye on how you can provide your furry friend with balanced, well-fed cat nutrition, its sources, and compositions, ending with the best cat nutrition brands to buy from!
Cat Nutrition Requirements and Ingredients
Cats require almost 30 to 40 calories per day. This might also differ according to their weight and age. They require almost 41 nutrients vital for healthy body function. These nutrients are classified as water, proteins (such as taurine and arginine), carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Cat food formulating companies always produce a diet that is a blend of mixtures, including fish, meat, and chicken, as well as other important foods that fulfill the nutritional requirements.
Cat food should be digestible, palatable, and safe, so they can can easily break the food and swallow it. It should be properly cooked/boiled so it’s free from toxins and virulent particles.
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Best Cat Food Choices and Healthy Options
A balanced cat diet can help your cat overcome common health issues, such as arthritis, diabetes, skin allergies, blindness, and kidney issues. As we know, cats are obligate carnivores; hence, they don’t normally consume fruits and vegetables. However, fruits and vegetables can be fed by cooking or in the form of puree.
Some of the best cat food choices are as follows:
Chicken or Turkey
Chicken and turkey can be included in a cooked and unseasoned diet. They are high in proteins, Omega-6, vitamin B6, phosphorus, and selenium, which is why they are popular ingredients in cat nutrition. These are lean meats that are low in calories and easily digested compared to beef. But chicken has more protein than turkey.
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Beef
Cooked and unseasoned beef is often included in cat food, as it has a high content of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. Beef is also a source of essential amino acids and minerals, such as magnesium and potassium.
However, it should be kept in mind that beef can be an occasional treat for your cat, and its quantity should not be more than 10% of the cat’s daily caloric intake.
Eggs
Boiled and cooked eggs can be a great addition to your cat’s nutrition. Eggs are a healthy human food that can be shared with cats. Not only this, the eggshell can also be fed to your cats as it contains a good content of calcium, which is fundamental for bone health and bone density.
Eggs contain good cholesterol and proteins and are also easily digestible. Remember not to feed your cat any uncooked eggs or raw egg yolks, as it may cause serious gastrointestinal problems.
Fish
Many cats love to eat fish, but only cooked fish should be included in the diet as raw fish might cause salmonella poisoning. Cats can also eat variant seafood such as prawns and tuna fish as cat nutrition. Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and building blocks of protein, which are important for cat nutrition.
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Green Vegetables
Cats do not like vegetables, but due to good nutritional factors, some vegetables must be included in their healthy cat food options. Vegetables such as carrots, spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, peas, and green beans are considered healthy human foods that cats can share.
Carrots are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients. Due to the presence of beta-carotene and vitamin A, carrots are good for a cat’s eye health. But make sure to serve it cooked or boiled, unseasoned to your cat, as raw carrots may cause choking hazards.
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Peas are low in calories and a good treat for cats. They are also rich in nutrients such as Vitamin B1, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, potassium, and iron. While selecting cat food make sure to avoid canned peas for your cat, as they might have a high content of salt/sodium and can mess with the regular functioning of kidneys and heart.
Spinach is often used in cat food recipes and is important for proper functioning of body organs, such as preventing heart problems and improving blood flow. It is included as a rich source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K.
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Pumpkin, when cooked or in the form of puree, helps maintain a healthy digestion process and is proven to help with constipation and diarrhoea issues.
Rice
Cats can harmlessly consume small quantities of cooked/boiled rice but should not be more than 25% of their optimal nutrition. Too much consumption may cause gastrointestinal problems.
Remember, not every human food can be shared with your furry friend; some should be avoided, too! The list is not too long, but important for your cat’s health.
Milk and Dairy Products
It is a common confusion and misconception to feed your cats home milk as a liquid intake, but it is not always true. Cats are often lactose intolerant, and dairy milk or products can be hard to digest and can cause stomach problems; hence, stick them to water to fulfil the liquid intake.
Wet and Dry Cat Food
Cat food can be provided as wet canned, or dry, like cooked/boiled but mostly it’s your cat’s preference as to what they want to eat. Naturally, cats don’t like to drink water so feeding wet food can be good to keep them hydrated also.
Water may touch your cat’s whiskers, and they feel irritated and consider putting water in a shallow bowl and placing it at different points in your home. It is also an easy source of cat nutrition for those suffering from any injury or recovery.
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Still, dry food is also good for maintaining good oral health as it helps remove plaque so it does not accumulate around gums. Dry food is also easy to cook and store.
Nutritious Cat Food Brands
While giving your cat home-cooked healthy food might be the best option but it is not always convenient especially when you are running late to the office or running errands. Hence, canned cat foods can be a good alternative.
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When choosing cat food, factors that should be reflected on are breed, age, weight, and health of your cat. Some leading cat food brands recommended by Vets include Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canin, Meow Mix, Merrick Purrfect Bistro, Purina Pro plan, VetDiet, Nature’s Logic, Earthborn Holistic, Fancy feast, and Friskies.
Conclusion
Being a cat parent might be a hassle, but not when you know how to properly balance your cat’s diet and nutrition. In this article, we have listed some leading cat food brands and nutritious foods for you to feed your cat.
So, if you are looking for a nutrition guide for your dear cat, this article is a must-read for you. Remember to always take your cat to the Vet if you notice any unusual change in their behaviour.