Healthy diet for cats
Introduction
Proper nutrition is one of the most important factors in maintaining a cat's health and quality of life. Cats need a balanced mix of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to ensure healthy growth and normal bodily functions. While purchasing store-bought food makes feeding easier and accurately meets their nutritional needs, some cat owners may wish to prepare complete homemade meals to meet their pets' needs and avoid certain artificial additives. In this article, we recap the basics of "cat food," adding scientific advice, homemade recipes, and new sections on cats' nutritional needs.
Main Diets for Cats
Commercial Ready-Made Diets
Dry foods (croquettes): Rich in energy and nutrients, with a longer shelf life, but may contain less moisture.
Wet foods (canned): Provide high moisture, which supports urinary tract health, and are often more palatable for cats with sensitive tastes.
Semi-moist foods: Between dry and moist, but check their ingredients to avoid excess sugars and oils.
Tip: Choose products approved by veterinary associations and check their content of essential nutrients such as taurine, fatty acids (omega 3 and 6), and calcium.
Homemade Diet
Raw Diet (BARF/ACBA)
Relies on providing fresh or frozen meat and fish, ground with crushed bones, boiled or ground vegetables, and nutritional supplements such as fish oil and vitamin E.
Ingredients must be clean and finely chopped, and must be frozen beforehand to kill parasites.
Home-cooked diet
Prepare boiled meat (chicken, turkey, lean beef) with boiled wheat or rice, and ground vegetables (carrots, peas).
Add supplements such as vitamins and minerals as recommended by your veterinarian.
Tip: Consult a veterinarian to develop a balanced nutritional formula containing all the necessary amino acids and vitamins.
Yogurt and its Role in a Cat's Diet
Benefits:
Contains probiotics that support digestive health and strengthen immunity.
A good source of calcium for healthy bones and teeth.
Precautions:
Choose natural, full-fat yogurt free of artificial sweeteners.
A little strawberry, raspberry, or natural vanilla may be added, but be sure to offer it in moderation (one teaspoon daily) and ensure your cat is lactose intolerant after puberty.
Healthy Foods for Cats
Cooked Meats:
Skinless, boneless beef, chicken, or turkey, boiled or grilled without fat.
Cooked or canned fish:
A source of omega-3 fatty acids, but avoid overfeeding to avoid deficiencies in other vitamins.
Whole Grains:
Oats, brown rice, and barley, after being well-cooked and mashed, can be added in small amounts to help regulate digestion.
Boiled Vegetables:
Carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, mashed or cut into small pieces.
Tip: Always place a clean cup of water next to the food dish to encourage your cat to drink regularly.
Prohibited and Harmful Foods
Garlic and onions: Contain compounds that negatively affect red blood cells.
Raw eggs: Risk of salmonella and pancreatitis. Feed eggs only boiled.
Hard bones: Risk of choking and rupture of the stomach or intestinal wall. Replace them with mashed bones in the BARF diet.
Saturated fats: Cause digestive upset and pancreatitis.
Caffeine and chocolate: Increase heart rate and poison the heart and nervous systems.
Whole milk: Many cats lose the lactase enzyme after puberty, causing diarrhea and colic.
General Cat Feeding Tips
Balance is important: Ensure your cat receives a high percentage of animal protein (70–80% of daily calories).
Taurine is essential: An essential amino acid that cats cannot synthesize on their own, it is commonly found in meat and fish.
Weight monitoring: Divide meals into 2–3 times a day and prevent free feeding if your cat is prone to obesity.
Veterinary monitoring: Regular veterinary checkups are necessary to adjust the diet according to your cat's age and health.
Conclusion
Providing proper and balanced nutrition for cats contributes to their long-term health and well-being. Whether you rely on high-quality prepared foods or carefully prepared homemade recipes under medical supervision, paying attention to a variety of food sources, adjusting portion sizes, and meeting your cat's specific needs (such as age, weight, and health) remains essential to ensuring an active and healthy life for your furry friend.