Every cat needs a nutritious, balanced diet that supports their health and well-being. A balanced diet should supply all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients cats need. It should also promote a healthy immune system to help prevent diseases. Let’s take a closer look at a cat’s nutritional needs and how to get your cat on a healthy, balanced diet.
What Does a Balanced Diet for a Cat Look Like?
Two things a healthy diet for cats does NOT include are human food and free-feeding. You should never feed your cat human food because certain ingredients, like garlic and onions, are toxic to cats. Free feeding can also be dangerous if your cat is not used to it. Free feeding can lead to issues like obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
If you are wondering what your cat should eat daily, first, you need to know which nutrients they need to be healthy. A balanced diet for cats needs to include the right amounts of different essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, and fat.
In general, most cat foods are specifically formulated to include all the essential nutrients your cat needs. So, as long as you follow the portion instructions listed on the package, your furry friend will get everything they need to be healthy.
Six Essential Nutrients for a Cats Healthy Diet
- Amino Acids
There are 11 amino acids that cats cannot produce on their own. A lack of any one of the essential amino acids can result in health issues for your cat. For example, a lack of taurine in your cat’s diet can cause metabolic or clinical problems, including blindness, deafness, and heart failure.
- Fats and Fatty Acids
Fat is the energy source in your cat’s food, not the carbohydrates or proteins. Fatty Acids are important to keep your cat’s skin and fur healthy. An Omega-3 fatty acids deficiency could cause neurological issues, and an Omega-6 deficiency could cause physiological problems.
- Protein
Cats can receive protein from various sources. Protein from animal-based foods includes the essential amino acids your cat needs. Vegetables, cereals, and soy can also provide protein, but are much more difficult for cats to digest.
- Carbohydrates
Carbs provide your cat with the energy they need to keep their organs healthy. While there is no minimum amount of carbohydrates a cat needs every day, they do need to receive enough glucose for their organs to work correctly. Fiber can also be helpful, but it should be from fermentable sources. Keep in mind that high-energy cats should not eat high-fiber foods.
- Vitamins and Minerals
Your cat cannot synthesize most vitamins and minerals on their own, so they need to be included in your cat’s diet. Since most cat foods contain the vitamins and minerals needed for proper metabolic function, there is generally no need for a vitamin supplement.
- Water
Keeping your cat hydrated is a significant part of feeding them a balanced diet. Your cat’s body is made up of 80% water, so they need an ample supply of water to keep from dehydrating. They need to drink at least 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily, or else they might develop serious health issues.
Unhealthy Foods to Avoid
Feeding your cat some of the fish you cooked for dinner might seem like a nice alternative to the daily kibble. However, you should never feed your cat prepared food because it may be dangerous or even toxic.
Here are some of the foods you should avoid feeding your cat.
- Onions, garlic, scallions, and shallots, whether raw, cooked, or powder, are toxic to your feline friend, causing issues with their red blood cells and leading to anemia.
- Like humans, raw eggs and meat are dangerous for cats as they can carry E. coli and Salmonella.
- Raw bones are also harmful and should be kept away from your cat, as small bones or splinters can cause choking, intestinal blockages, and tooth damage.
- You may have heard that chocolate can make dogs very sick or even kill them, and it is the same for cats. Chocolate contains methylxanthines, which can cause extreme health issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and abnormal heartbeat.
- This same substance is found in caffeinated beverages, so don’t share your tea or latte with your cat.
- Some other foods you should avoid giving your cat include alcohol, milk, and grapes.
How Do I Get My Cat on a Healthy Diet?
Whether you believe it or not, it can be easy to adjust your cat’s diet to a healthier one. Here are some tips about providing cats with a healthy diet:
- Follow Instructions: Read the feeding and portion instructions on the package or any special instructions you received from your veterinarian.
- Give High-Quality Food: Read the food packaging and ingredient list carefully. Try to avoid cat foods using by-products instead of the actual meat. Your cat may not enjoy the change at first. However, most cats know what good food is, so once they try a piece of the new, better food, the change may be easier than you think.
- Reduce Treats: You will want to reduce their treat intake so treats make up less than 10% of their food intake. Make sure that everyone in the house is on the same page when it comes to when and how much to feed your cat.
It is also important to note that you should talk with your veterinarian before making any changes to your cat’s diet. Suddenly changing the kind of food or portion size can be very dangerous for your furry friend.
Your Cat’s Diet Can Make All the Difference
At Aztec Pet Hospital, we are happy to help you get your cat on a healthy diet. We can make personalized recommendations based on your cat’s dietary needs and your budget. And don’t forget that cats also need regular vet visits to stay healthy. If you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s diet, contact us today to make an appointment.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (02/03/2024) Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash