The feline diet must be diversified and should also contain a few essential nutrients including: proteins, fibers and fats. The cat’s diet is important in maintaining his health and the immune system strong. If a cat is overweight, his diet should contain the same ingredients but in smaller amounts.
Proteins in the Feline Diet
The proteins are highly important in the cat’s diet. Meat is the best source of proteins and is included in all types of cat food. The cat can get up to 35% of proteins in his diet.
Fat Contents in the Cat Diet
The cat diet should include some fats as well; the recommended percentage is between 15 and 20%. The fat contents in the cat food will provide the necessary energy deposits for the cat and will also ensure that the skin and the coat are healthy.
If the cat is on a diet, the amounts of fat shouldn’t be reduced to promote weight loss; an overweight cat should get about 15% fats.
Fibers in the Feline Diet
Fibers are essential for the digestion process in the cat’s organism. A diet that doesn’t contain the needed amount of fibers will cause health problems such as chronic constipation.
The fibers can also facilitate the digestion or cat hair and will prevent the buildup of hairballs.
Carbohydrates in the Feline Diet
A cat doesn’t require carbohydrates. However, most commercial foods contain carbs and these can lead to obesity.
If your cat is overweight, you should aim at getting a carbs free food and focus on getting more proteins and fats.
Canned Food vs. Kibble Food
A quality canned food is often more recommended for an optimal health, as it contains fewer carbohydrates than dry food. However, the kibble food is more practical and more reasonably priced; in addition, the dry food also maintains the teeth free from tartar deposits by cleaning the teeth from plaque.
You should decide which food your cat should eat. Consult your vet to determine if the food you choose has the essential nutrients.
You may also prepare the food for your pet; doing this, you avoid the preservatives and additives that exist in commercial food. Consult the vet to get a full list of recommended ingredients and poisonous ingredients for cats.
Prescription Diets
If your cat has a medical condition such as kidney disease or diabetes, the vet will recommend a special prescription diet that is available in pet stores. These foods will contain different amounts of proteins, fats, fibers and carbs, so that the cat’s condition is not affected by the diet.
Dietary Supplements
If you feed a quality food brand to your pet, supplements will not be required. Don’t administer supplements to your cat without consulting the vet first.
If your cat has a health condition (i.e. kidney disease), some vitamins and minerals may only create new problems.
It is important to feed your cat at regular hours. Don’t leave the food outside allowing the cat to snack in between meals, as this will lead to obesity.