Cats Diet and Nutrition Articles

A good cat diet and proper nutrition are two of the most important ways to prevent a wide variety of common cat diseases and conditions. What goes into a cat’s body directly affects his physical and mental well-being. While it might not be easy to buy all of the right cat foods all of the time, even feeding your cat the best foods some of the time can help to avoid the most common diet-related conditions. Weight-gain, sluggishness, constipation, diarrhea, allergies, and bloating are just a few conditions that can result from poor cat diet and nutrition. Healthy foods and supplements are readily available to help keep your cat healthy and the opportunities for exercise are limitless. As a cat owner, doing your part to keep your cat healthy is the key to your cat’s good health and longevity. Continue reading to learn more about cat diet and nutrition.

• Why Is My Cat Not Eating?

  For a cat, not eating can indicate any number of feline illnesses. From cat upset stomach to poor nutrition, pet owners should identify a possible cause as to why their cat may have stopped eating.

• When Do Vets Consider a Cat Overweight?

  A cat is overweight if he has more than 20% of his body mass index made up of fat. However, this is an abstract idea and finding the exact body mass index can be challenging.

• What Is Low Residue Cat Food?

  Low residue cat food can help with problems of feline constipation in several ways. The fiber in the food serves several purposes.

• Weight Loss for Obese Cats

  Helping obese cats lose weight and become more active requires patience and dedication from cat owners. Exercise, nutrition and the right diet are essential for successful cat weight loss.

• Weight loss and loss of appetite in Cats

  Problems that cause weight loss in cats.

• Vitamins and Minerals for Cats

  Cats need vitamins and minerals as part of a well-balanced diet. If these are lacking from the diet, your cat can develop anemia and multiple diseases.

• Using Limited Ingredient Cat Food for Allergic Cats

  Cat food provides the building blocks for your cat's health. At best, it provides necessary energy and nutrients.

• Unique Characteristics of Senior Cat Food

  A beneficial senior cat food will contain balanced nutrients including digestible carbohydrates, fiber, high quality protein, minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids and a healthy level of magnesium usually in the form of tasty, small, easy-to-chew kibble.

• Transitioning From a Kitten Diet to an Adult Diet

  For a 4-week-old kitten, diet changes become necessary. Solid foods rich in protein replace kitten formulas.

• Tips for Effective Feline Weight Loss

  Feline weight loss is essential for obese and overweight cats. An overweight cat presents numerous health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure and a shorter lifespan.

• The Seven Nutritional Factors of Quality Pet Food

  Choosing a good diet for your pet is an important part of being a pet owner. Quality pet food improves your dog's health, which can mean fewer veterinarian visits and a longer life.

• The Science of Feline Cat Food Formulas

  Proper feline nutrition is essential for a healthy and active cat. Many commercial cat foods do not provide balanced nutrients that your cat needs and are filled with fillers offering little nutritional value.

• The Nine Most Common Food Allergies in Cats

  Nine ingredients frequently cause food allergies in cats. Cats affected by allergy or intolerance to foods develop itchy dry skin or skin rashes, particularly around the face and ears.

• The Health Benefits of Cat Grass

  Cat grass eating is frequent and has a number of health benefits for your pet. Even if you feed your cat the best possible nutritional cat food, your cat will still grab some grass and chew on it, because he likes grass.

• The Dos and Dont’s of Bottle Feeding Kittens

  It is always best to have a mother cat feeding kittens, but complications may arise requiring human intervention. If you take in kittens that are too young for dry cat food, bottle-feeding with a kitten formula is always best.

• The Dietary Management of Cat Liver Disease

  Cat liver disease is not uncommon, especially as your cat gets older. A damaged liver can rapidly deteriorate the entire body's functioning.

• The Dangers of Feeding a Cat Dog Food

  When feeding a cat, dog food is not acceptable. Dog food does not contain the nutrients essential to feline health.

• The Benefits of Serving Dry Cat Food

  The benefits of serving dry cat food as opposed to wet cat food include cost and convenience. Dry food must be nutritionally balanced, however, in order to be the best diet for your cat.

• The Benefits of Low PH Cat Food

  Low pH cat food is formulated to increase the cat urine PH level and is often fed to cats with urinary problems. Low pH cat food is good for cats suffering from FLUTD, or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease, a disorder which affects many cats.

• The Benefits of Grass Food for Your Cat

  Grass food for cats has proven to have a lot of nutritional and health benefits. Even though cats are carnivores, they often enjoy chewing on grass.

• Symptoms - Increased Drinking and Urinating

  Recently she began drinking copious amounts of water and urinating in her kitty litter box as well as in other areas of the house. My vet did blood work on her and can find no cause for this behavior.

• Slimming a Fat Kitten Through Diet

  A kitten should have additional deposits of fat so as to be able to keep warm. However if you have an overly fat kitten you should consider dieting.

• Should You Feed Your Kitten Adult Cat Food?

  When it comes to feeding a kitten adult cat food, proper levels of protein and water are the most important factors for a healthy diet. Whether it's organic, wet, dry or a wellness cat food, quality ingredients are essential.

• Should You Feed Your Cat Raw Food?

  Feeding a cat raw foods is beneficial to his health. However, you must balance the raw food diet with fiber, taurine, vegetables and fruits to make sure the cat's raw food diet matches what it would be if the cat were in the wild.

• Routine Maintenance of Cats

  Litterpan problems are very common in cats. It helps to think about this problem from the cat's point of view sometimes when trying to deal with it. Cats like to have a clean, inviting place to defecate and urinate. Remember some of the dirty bathrooms you have had to decide whether to use or not, and you can relate to this feeling.

• Rectal, Anal and Colon Problems

  Constipation occurs in cats and is associated with megacolon, a condition in which the motility of the digestive tract is not normal and stool size becomes large enough to be uncomfortable or difficult to pass.

• Principles of a Diabetic Cat Diet

  The proper cat diet can make a huge difference in the treatment and healthy maintenance for the diabetic cat. Organic cat food and chicken cat food are often the best choices to help reduce the symptoms of diabetes.

• Premium Dog and Cat Food Claims Examined

  Premium dog and cat food purchased at a store is supposed to be the best of the best, right? While there are many good items on the market for pets, some of the claims on the food labels may not really as good as the companies claim.

• Photo Gallery - Toxic Cat

  An example of the classic swollen face associated with acetaminophen toxcicty.

• Pet Food Recalled

  Keep your pets healthy and safe by referring to this comprehensive list of recalled pet foods listed by brand, product description, size, UPC / bar code, and container type. Look For a Date that Falls within the below date range on The Bottom of Can or Back of Pouch.

• Nutritional Qualities of Typical Cat Food Ingredients

  Even some of the "healthier" cat food brands contain unhealthy cat food ingredients. With skyrocketing feline diabetes and cancer rates, it's important to pay attention to your cat's diet.

• Nutritional Factors of an Ideal Cat Diet

  Cat diet is essential in determining the health and longevity of your feline. The basic nutritional needs of a cat are protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water...

• Nutritional Considerations for a Seriously Ill Cat

  An ill cat has often decreased appetite, but he still needs certain nutrients to stay strong and recover. Regular cat food may not be the best solution and the diet might differ according to the illness your cat suffers from.

• Mother Cat Nutritional Recommendations

  A mother cat must have a special diet that meets all of her and her growing kittens' requirements. Even after the kittens are born, the nursing cat still needs additional nutrients if she's to remain healthy and strong and assist with the kittens' growth.

• Medical Conditions of Obese Cats

  Obese cats may encounter health issues more frequently than cats with a normal weight. Being overweight is not healthy for your cat. Spayed or neutered...

• Managing Feline Diabetes with a Low Carbohydrate Diet

  A feline diabetes diet that is low in carbohydrates can help control or reverse the disease by preventing obesity and blood sugar spikes that wear out the pancreas. Approximately 40 percent of cats are overweight, and fat cats are four times more likely to develop canine diabetes.

• Making Sense of Healthy Cat Food Claims

  Many companies claim to make healthy cat food, but not every food benefits your cat. It is important to read cat food labels and make sure you avoid fillers, dyes and excessive carbohydrates.

• Making Organic Cat Food at Home

  Making homemade organic cat food is a great way to ensure that your cat is getting the balanced nutrition that commercial cat foods often lack. Dry cat foods usually have a large amount of carbohydrates, preservatives, additives and fillers that cats don't need

• Making High-Nutrient Gourmet Cat Treats at Home

  To provide the most nutritious snacks for your cat, gourmet treats can be made at home. You can choose the best ingredients and use them according to your cat's tastes and needs.

• Kitten Diet Recommendations

  You should take the greatest care in selecting the proper diet for your kitten. Here are some important kitten diet recommendations.

• Is Your Cat Obese? Feline BMI Norms Explained

  Are you wondering, "Is my cat obese?" Overweight animals are more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and joint problems. Use feline body mass indexes to discover if your cat suffers from obesity.

• Is Your Cat Losing Weight? 7 Causes

  If your cat is losing weight this may be a sign of a disease. Weight loss is not a health issue unless it is caused by a disease.

• Is Cat Grass Eating Safe?

  Cat grass eating is very common and many cat owners ask the question whether the grass is safe or not.

• Interpreting Cat Food Nutrition Information

  Cat owners must know what their pet's cat food nutrition label really means. Many foods on the market contain ingredients that do not benefit cats in any way.

• Insulin and Regulating Diabetes

  Diabetic pets frequently have bladder infections as a complication of the disease. The sugar in the urine compromises the immune system and may also provide a better environment for bacteria to grow in.

• Identifying Food Allergies in Cats with Food Trials

  Food allergies are common among cats, and they can have many food intolerances. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to find out what is causing allergic reactions in a cat is a food trial.

• Hypoallergenic Cat Food: An Introduction

  Hypoallergenic cat food typically contains no wheat, corn, soy, rice or beet pulp. A single, low-allergen protein source such as lamb, duck, fish or venison is also common.

• How Hairball Control Cat Food Works

  Hairball control cat food is a specially designed formula that helps eliminate hairballs in cats. As cats spend much of their time grooming themselves...

• How Effective Are Cat Vitamins and Supplements?

  Many pet owners wonder if they should give their cat vitamins or supplements. All pets require essential vitamins to function.

• How Cat Food Affects Urinary Tract Health

  Owners should give their cats healthy cat food for urinary tract health. The aspects of cat food that directly affect urinary tract healthy include moisture content, amount of carbohydrates and oils, the quality of the ingredients, and the effect on the PH balance of the urine.

• Homemade Cat Food for Diabetic Compliance

  Some people advocate homemade cat food in response to the criticism that commercial cat food is made with cereal filler that doesn't provide a healthy and balanced diet.

• Home Testing Cat Blood Sugar Levels

  For a diabetic cat, sugar levels require regulating or serious health issues will occur. Pet owners must test their cat's blood sugar levels regularly.

• Holistic Cat Food Examined

  When purchasing cat food, holistic options are best because they include quality protein. Protein is the most essential part of any cat diet because it is rich in amino acids.

• Hepatic Lipidosis

  I just wanted to start this mail by thanking you for the service you provide. Your site was an invaluable source of information when one of my cats was undergoing a very traumatic period.I have one (hopefully quick) question regarding Hepatic Lipidosis.

• Healthy Eating Tips for Your Cat

  A cat eating a strict diet of protein-rich foods will live a long happy life. Unlike dogs that eat plants and meats, cats require a diet of protein.

• Frequent Questions About Senior Cat Food and Nutrition

  Senior cat food has to be tailored to individual cat needs. As cats get older they aren't as active, and develop many diseases owing to old age.

• Finding Healthy Pet Food at the Supermarket

  Finding healthy pet food at the supermarket is possible. Learn to read labels and disregard misleading advertising so that you can make the best choice possible for your dog or cat.

• Feline Hairball Control Through Diet

  Most cat owners are familiar with the feline hairball-a dense, undigested lump of hair that your cat may regurgitate, usually on the rug. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the amount of hair your cat swallows during grooming, and ease the passage of any that she does.

• Feline Food Allergies Demystified

  Cats are not born with sensitivity to specific feline food. They develop feline food allergies after eating food items for a prolonged period of time.

• Feline Diet Tips for Weight Loss

  A proper feline diet is essential in maintaining the health and normal weight of your pet. Obesity in cats is frequent and overweight cats have a lower life expectancy.

• Feline Diet Food for Kidney Stones

  Some feline diet food will prevent the formation of cat kidney stones or cat kidney disease. Kidney stones are formed inside the kidney, usually starting out as a crystal that gets larger as more minerals accumulate around the original crystal, forming a stone.

• Feeding Your Pet

  The bottom line on pet foods is simple. We have a rough idea of the essential nutrients necessary for pets. We know some of the toxic levels for nutrients. Other than that, it is hard to be sure about any nutritional claims.

• Feeding a Cat Raw Meat Safely

  Concerns regarding feeding a cat meat that is uncooked are valid. A raw meat diet ensures cats receive high quality protein for optimal skin and muscle tone.

• Feeding a Cat Raw Food on the BARF Diet

  When deciding how and what to feed your cat, raw diets may provide the health and nutrition benefits that you are looking for. Also known as the BARF diet, this acronym stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones And Raw Foods.

• Drooling and Salivation in Cats

  In cats, excessive salivation occurs when there is a portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) but it would be unusual for this to occur suddenly and also for it to appear at this age rather than during the growth period.

• Do Cats Actually Need Prescription Cat Food?

  Before feeding your pet prescription cat food, be sure to check ingredients carefully. Many diet cat food options actually contain ingredients proven to be of poor nutritional quality.

• Digestive Problems in Cats - Megacolon and Constipation

  My cat has trouble getting his stools out. This has been an ongoing problem for about 7 years. He has also had a few urinary tract infections.he has been on docusate sodium for 3 years for his stool problem.

• Digestive and Bowel Disorders of Cats

  Eosinophils, lymphocytes and plasmacytes are different types of white blood cells. When a particular type (or types) of these cells invade the digestive tract in unexpectedly high numbers and this causes clinical signs, then the result is "eosinophilic enteritis" or "lymphocytic/plasmacytic" enteritis.

• Dietary Management of IBD in Cats

  IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease, is a condition that often affects domesticated cats. Cats with IBD are characterized by an inflamed and swollen stomach or intestine.

• Dietary Causes of Feline Diarrhea

  Feline diarrhea is one of the least favorite parts of owning a cat. Many things can upset a cat's stomach, including his or her diet.

• Diet Problems in Cats

  If you are feeding a commercial cat food it is unlikely that vitamins are necessary. It is very hard to get a single cat from a multiple cat household to lose weight. It is almost impossible unless all the cats are fed separately.You should get your vet's advice on how much to feed your cat because it is trickier to put cats on a diet than it is a dog.

• Diarrhea in Cats and Kittens

  For some reason, just stopping the diarrhea seems to help some patients recover. Either that, or some patients coincidentally get better after we use these medications for a few days. Since chronic diarrhea does sometimes stop on its own, especially in young and young adult cats, this is a possibility.

• Diabetes tests and testing equipment in Cats

  If there is a reason for routine screening for diabetes in cats, like a known family tendency in one of the dog's lines, using urine glucose strips is easier than trying to draw blood and use a glucometer.

• Diabetes in Cats - other medications and supplements

  There is a reason that the article is about cats and not dogs. Cats tend to develop diabetes that mimics the adult onset diabetes seen in humans. In this case, insulin secretion decreases and insulin resistance increases, resulting in the need for supplemental insulin.

• Constipation in Cats

  It is generally agreed among veterinarians studying this problem that there is a motility disorder which causes the passage of food to slow, leading to dilation of the colon and eventually to the severe constipation that is seen.

• Comparing Nutritional Information on Cat Food Brands

  When scanning the store shelves for the best cat food brands, learn to look passed advertising hype to choose the highest quality formulations for your cat's particular needs.

• Choosing the Healthiest Cat Food Brand

  Choosing be best cat food brand for your pet is more important than ever. Recent pet food recall events have alerted cat owners to the dangers posed by many commercial cat food and kitten food brands.

• Choosing the Best Kitten Food

  Dry kitten food is convenient and can be the main component of a healthy cat diet. Premium cat food provides the right balance of vitamins, minerals and nutrients for growing kittens.

• Choosing the Best Cat Food for Urinary Health

  Choosing the best cat food for your cat's urinary health is important, as veterinarians have discovered that a poor diet can cause your cat to develop bladder infections or kidney stones. A proper diet is also good for your cat's overall health, of course, but your cat's urinary system has specific needs.

• Choosing a Cat Appetite Stimulant

  Choosing a cat appetite stimulant can be the solution to putting your feline back on a healthy and happy lifestyle. Cats can decline food due to sickness, stress or age fatigue.

• Cat Treats With Deceptive Descriptions

  Recent pet food recalls have alerted cat owners to the potentially harmful ingredients contained in some commercially prepared foods and cat treats. Dangerous and toxic ingredients aside, many pet foods and treats are labeled with enticing but somewhat deceptive claims-containing only trace amounts of the suggested ingredients.

• Cat Protein Requirements for Good Nutrition

  Protein is one of the most important ingredients that a cat needs in its diet. With such a large number of cat food recipes available today, it can be difficult to know which type is best.

• Cat Food Allergy Symptoms

  Cat food allergy is common in pets and, most frequently, cats are allergic to foods such as corn, beef or soy. About 10% of allergic cats have a food allergy.

• Cat Feeding Tips

  There are many ways to optimize cat feeding so that your cat can lead a long and happy life. Adult cat feeding differs from feeding kittens.

• Canned Cat Food Versus Dry Cat Food

  A well formulated pet food, whether a canned cat food or dry food, is one that possesses an adequate amount of proteins, nutrients and fatty acids. The most important goal is to provide your cat with food that appeals to her and is also nutritious.

• Canine and Feline Nutrition Fundamentals

  Canine and feline nutrition are important factors in the development of healthy and active pets. Owners should know the nutritional requirements and dietary needs of their dog or cat in order to get the best dog or cat food and provide a nutritious diet for their pet.

• Cancer - special diet needs

  Q: Hi! My roommate and I are owned by six cats. Unhappily, one off them (Otto -The Great, or sometimes " 'Lil Guy"), is dying of cancer. I don't believe that we can save him, but would like to make sure that he has the best nutrition possible.

• Benefits of Giving a Cat Omega Fatty Acids

  Omega fatty acids for your cat are the essential polyunsaturated fats that cats need for proper health and nutrition. A cat's body cannot synthesis arachidonic acid, which is important for energy production.

• Allergy Problems With Chicken Cat Food

  If your cat is suffering from allergies, it might be the ingredients in his chicken cat food that is causing the problem.

• All Natural Cat Treats

  Purchase all natural cat treats to provide healthy dietary options for your pet. Some treats are filled with preservatives and empty calories.

• A Guide to Veterinary Cat Food Diet Formulas

  Selecting a proper cat food diet is crucial for your pet's lasting health. A proper diet will help your cat to maintain a proper nutritional balance, which in turn will boost his immune system, increase is recovery rate from injury and disease and augment his overall health and happiness.

• A Guide to Natural Pet Health Supplements

  Natural pet health supplements can be of great benefit to your dog or cat. But it's important what treatments are available and how they should be used.

• A Guide to Hairball Formula Food and Supplements

  A hairball formula cat food, as well as other supplements, help your cat to properly eliminate hairballs from his or her system. Hairball in your cat can be dangerous; an intestinal blockage can result if the hairball grows too big in your cat's stomach.

• 7 Causes of Feline Weight Loss

  Feline weight loss should be an alarming symptom as it might signal different diseases or the existence of parasites. You cat may lose weight if he is under stress.

• 6 Essential Cat Vitamins and Minerals

  Cat vitamins are recommended for cats with vitamin deficiencies, but can be equally beneficial for healthy cats. Cat food often lacks the necessary vitamins and minerals; even if the label displays the healthiest ingredients, these are processed and during this process, essential vitamins and minerals are lost.

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