When you decide to get a cat for a pet, you don’t necessarily have to know what it takes to properly take care of the cat, but luckily there are available information, online and at your vet’s office. One of the most vital elements of taking care of the cat will be feeding it. You will be solely responsible for the nutrition and feeding of your cat.
Therefore, you have to take it upon yourself to ensure your cat’s diet is as good as it can be.
A nutritious diet is crucial for improving and maintaining the health of your cat.
It will help them be strong and avoid health complications arising from a poor diet.
The following are some tips from experts as to how to feed your cat:
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Canned Food or Kibble
When it comes to feeding cats, you essentially have two options, kibble or canned food. Canned food tends to be a better choice because it will often have more protein, have higher water content, and fewer carbohydrates. All the above are essential to a cat’s diet. Cats are carnivores meaning that they must eat meat and dry foods often cannot meet the cat’s nutritional requirements like wet canned foods.
Kibble has less protein, more water, and carbohydrates than canned food which is not ideal for a cat diet.
You should always consult your vet before feeding your cat or changing their diet.
Some cats have special dietary concerns to which the vet will notify you and help you make the appropriate feeding changes.
Labels
Most people will feed their cat’s canned food. The cans usually have labels describing the various components of the food inside them.
Every cat owner should know how to decipher these can labels.
Far too many cat owners focus on the ingredients of the cat food when they should instead be checking the nutritional value.
The two things you should ensure that the cat food contains is protein and fat. They are the most crucial components of a cat’s diet. You should check the label for a statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). It should state that the food is either complete or balanced. It means that the food will meet the cat’s nutritional requirements.
Meet Your Cat’s Specific Needs
Just like human beings, every cat is different and so will be their feeding preferences.
According to experts, you should try and match the feeding habits of the cat.
There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to feeding cats.
However, many cats will share the same feeding habits which are what most cat owners conform to as far as feeding their cat is concerned.
There is no substitute for simply observing your cat and finding out which feeding habits suit them best.
Only then can you establish feeding habits that are optimal for your specific pet.
Automatic Feeders
Feeding your cat is something that you will have to do or account for every day. Unfortunately, you may not always be able to make the plans or feed your cat every single day. The ideal solution to this conundrum is to get an automatic cat feeder. Automatic cat feeders are devices that will help your cat get the right food at the proper time even when you are not around. They are a cat owner’s best friend.
You will have to consider various factors when choosing an automatic cat feeder such as the size, quality, and battery life.
However, you can rest assured that when you have one, your cat will get the food it needs even barring your presence.
Mimic Natural Habits
When you observe the feeding habits of wild cats, you will see certain similarities.
Cats tend to hunt and eat in the mornings and evenings and household cats are largely similar.
According to experts, you should mimic these natural habits as it pertains to feeding your cats. One mistake many cat owners make is to free-feed their cats.
What they should do instead is to feed their cat at least twice a day as they would naturally eat.
How much you feed your cat will depend on its specific needs.
However, 200 calories per day is a good amount. Consult your vet for more information on the matter.
Mimicking natural habits also involves helping the cat hunt for their food as they would out in the wild.
You can do so by placing the cat’s food in multiple locations where the cat can sort of hunt for the food and embrace its natural instincts.
Reduce Snacking
Many cat owners usually give their cats treats when spending time with them.
Doing so is one of the most debilitating things you can do according to experts.
You should reduce your cat’s snacking if you want it to maintain healthy eating habits.
Giving your cat treats increases its calorie intake which means it increases in weight without an equal increase in physical activity.
Obesity is a problem for many cats and it is very dangerous to your cat’s health.
It increases their risk of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis among others.
A cat will eat any food you leave out regardless of whether it is its feeding time or not.
Therefore, preventing your cat from snacking also means properly storing the food so it only gets the necessary amount of food.
Ceramic Bowls
What you feed your cat is very important but so is the container in which you feed your cat.
As far as materials for making cat feeders is concerned, the best option according to experts is ceramic and stainless steel.
One material you should avoid at all costs as it pertains to feeding your cats is plastic.
Plastic tends to retain a lot of bacteria which could affect your cat’s health. Some cats are even allergic to plastic which has disastrous effects.
Ceramic and stainless-steel feeding containers are easy to clean and are more durable.
They are simply better for the health of your cat and for you as far as maintenance is concerned.
Feeding a cat is a task that requires a lot of understanding. You should learn as much as you can about feeding your cats.
The tips from the experts above should help you have a solid foundation. However, there is no substitute for continuous education.