| Aside from the occasional mouse or bird your cat may leave as a treat for you at your front door, as a cat owner you are predominantly responsible for providing your pet with a good diet. As small carnivorous animals this means providing them with several meat-based meals throughout the day.
Under the age of six-months-old your pet will need to eat specialist kitten food before they move on to adult cat food. Like all cat food this will need to be protein-based but high protein intake is particularly important for kittens as it helps promote growth and development.
Cat food comes in wet (tinned) and dry (kibble) varieties and cat owners often choose to feed their pets a mix of both because they offer different benefits. It is thought that wet cat food can help keep animals hydrated, which is particularly important in the case of cats. Without access to water our furry friends can become poorly very quickly, so as well as taking in water through food your cat should always have access to clean water.
It can be tempting to try and save money by choosing cheaper cat foods, however a good rule to help promote good health in your pet is to buy the best you can afford – just as you would with your own food. Cheaper wet foods are often packed out with animal by-products rather than actual meat and dry foods are often bulked out with carbohydrates such as grains which are not nutritionally beneficial for felines. Just as it is sometimes hard to identify what has gone into our own food it can be difficult to know what to look out for on cat food packaging. There are some vitamins and minerals to look out for which are essential to help maintain a healthy diet for your cat. These include taurine, arginine and vitamin A and fatty acids, check these are in the product you are buying and always look out for food which is age appropriate. The dietary needs of your kitty will change as they age and it can be beneficial to feed them products aimed at fulfilling the needs of their particular age group.
When it comes to flavour it is possible for some pussies to become pernickety and become attached to particular brands and flavours. However, most cats seem to welcome a variety of meat and fish flavours and relish the chance to get their teeth stuck into a range of textures. Providing your pet with occasional treats such as meaty chews and cat sweets can help contribute to a balanced diet as well as assist you in training and bonding with your pet. Be careful not to overfeed them though as an overweight kitty is just as prone to illness as an overweight human!
For more information visit Pets at Home, cat food instore or online.logon To: http://www.petsathome.com |
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