When you think about your cat’s diet, do you think that any food they will eat must be good food?
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Cheaper cat food often has unsafe ingredients, full of toxic preservatives, humectants and flavoring agents to entice the cat to eat it.
You might be saving money in the short term, but you’ll be setting yourself up for hefty vet bills in the long run, and also creating serious pain and discomfort for your furry companion.
After all, they are an important member of your family. Cats are known as healers and often have different waysof share their affection.
3 reasons to choose a health cat diet
Cats, like humans, will not thrive on a fast food, high carb, kibble diet.
If they eat the wrong cat diet, they can become victims of arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and obesity.
The only difference between us and felines is that once they live in captivity, they have very little control over their diet. Cats trust us to provide them with healthy food, especially when they live indoors.
Cats are natural predators… their diet has to mimic that fact, so here are three reasons to choose a good cat diet that will extend the life of your pet.
1. Tooth health
Just like humans, many health complications arise in house cats with poor dental hygiene.
Your cat may have bad breath, which is unpleasant, but the infections that can cause halitosis can be much more serious than you think for his immune system and his general health.
Kittens lose their baby teeth between four and six months. During that time, there are holes in your mouth that are magnets for bacteria.
You probably see your dentist regularly to make sure your teeth and gums are in good shape.
But how does your cat maintain its oral health? They need good quality foods and treats that help remove plaque and stimulate their gums to keep their teeth strong and their mouth clean.
2. Cats are carnivores
Whether you like it or not, your cat is a hunter, a predator, a carnivore. They will never do well on a vegetarian or vegan diet.
So while you may have chosen to eliminate meat from your diet and replaced protein with beans, meat alternatives and supplements, your cat needs animal protein.
It is a source of a vital amino acid, taurine, which aids in the development of strong muscles, including the heart.
Fish-based cat food can work just fine: It’s loaded with Omega fatty acids that fuel your feline’s body…and suit her digestive system. However, most fish has been contaminated with heavy metals and other nasty toxins or parasites, and is very unhealthy. Offering fish as an occasional treat to a healthy cat should be fine, but watch out for a steady diet.
Avoid foods that have excess fillers, such as wheat and barley. They may fill your cat’s belly, but they won’t provide the protein she needs for healthy development. And they can lead to obesity and diabetes, and many other problems.
In addition, cats are naturally designed to hunt and eat their prey raw, which has not been baked in an oven or processed at high temperatures in a can. Prey creatures have blood, moisture (water), and partially digested food in their intestines, bones, and organs, and much more.
When deciding what to feed your kitten, choose high-quality wet food, not dry cardboard kibble. Some cats do quite well on quality wet food, and others do better on raw food.
3. Cats need hydration
There is nothing wrong with feeding your feline a diet of dry food occasionally as a treat or supplement to food. It’s easier to store, generally less expensive, and has more ingredient options to suit your cat’s palate.
But remember, they also need immediate access to water and can overload on carbs, just like us…so follow the directions on the package and pay attention to your kitty’s needs.
On the other hand, the wrong wet food can rob your cat of the fiber she needs to keep her digestive system running smoothly. You’ll often see cats and dogs outside eating grass… they’re just trying to get their intestines working again so they can clean out their insides.
If you have an indoor cat, consider keeping them on cat grass (or add some other source of fiber to their food) to help keep their digestive tract going.
Your cat can’t go to the supermarket
Your cat has basic dietary needs… and then they develop their own tastes, just like children. In fact, there is a phase as they grow up where they learn what is good to eat and what is not good to eat, and after that it can be quite difficult to change your mind about what is acceptable and what is not.
However, unlike your children, who will grow up to be able to shop for themselves and satisfy their taste buds and hopefully make wise dietary choices…
Your cat can’t do the same. It’s up to you to communicate with them, explain why various foods are good for them and why some are not, and then meet their dietary needs.
You may think that good quality food is too expensive, that it’s too much trouble to research the alternatives…
…but think of the bread you could put your cat companion through if he ends up with kidney stones, ulcers, or abdominal cancer because you’ve overloaded his body with toxic food.
Cats are designed to hunt and eat little during the day, but free grazing (eating whenever they want) on poor quality kibble is a bad idea. Smaller, more nutritious wet meals make for a healthier, longer-living kitten.
It helps if you can talk to your cat and find out what suits his palate, what meets his nutritional needs, and what makes him feel sick or in pain.
Remember, your cat goes through growth phases, just like us. Food that’s good for them at six months won’t keep them fit when they’re five years old… or ten, or twenty.
You can prepare your cat for a long and healthy life without stressful visits to a veterinary clinic by feeding her a diet of quality cat food.
If you would like more information on feline health, please contact us.