What is the Proper Diet for My Cat?

It's true, cats are carnivores; they must eat meat to live. But what does that mean for you and your cat? Should you feed him live food, make food, or buy it? All of these questions are natural to ask if you are getting a cat, or are having trouble with your cats eating habits. Sometimes choosing the right food can be confusing but by learning about cats natural diet you can make the right choice for your feline friend. Properly feeding your cat will not only ensure good health but will give them a shiny coat, strong teeth and nails, few health problems if any at all, and little or no hairballs.

First, it is extremely important to note that cats are NOT vegetarians; they never have been and never will be. Yes, they do eat some grasses and grains but all cats, tame or wild, are carnivores. Actually, cats are Obligate Carnivores, which simply means they must eat meat to survive. In all meats there is a colorless substance called Taurine. It is found in the fluids and the muscles of many animals and is essential for cats. Without Taurine cats cannot and will not live long. You can tell a cat is suffering from Taurine depletion because the eyes become very watery as the retina dissolves. This often causes blindness and death.

It is important to understand that a cat's natural diet consists mostly of mice and other small rodents, small lizards, and birds. When a cat stalks and catches its prey in the wild it eats all of the animal; the body, the heart, the lungs, and even feathers, fur, and bones. Even feral cats (cats on the street) eat their food in the same manner.

This is how cats absorb Taurine. Am I suggesting that you feed your cat live food? Not in the least. Feeding live food to your cat is not as easy as it sounds. If your cat is not interested he will not eat and they will not eat dead or cold mice. Feeding live food to your cat is really unrealistic. Because cats need specific nutrients and minerals it is imperative that you follow a standard diet of cat food.

According to government standards, all prepared cat food must contain the minimum requirement of nutrients and minerals. But, just because a cat food meets the standards doesn't mean it is the best food for your cat, or any cat for that matter. When choosing food for your cat it is important to read the labels. Foods are processed in many different ways, with many different ingredients, and possibly chemicals.

It is crucial that you read the label before buying. Avoid foods that list grains or by products as the first or main ingredients. Cat food should consist of meat; look for turkey, chicken, veal, salmon, tuna, or ocean fish as the first ingredient. Grains should be listed near the end of the ingredients list. Also, keep and eye out for excessive amounts of sugar or sodium and avoid those products.

Only use foods that have pure meat in them. The food should be food colored, not red, orange, or yellow. Cats don't care about colors or shapes and products like that do not have your best interests at heart. It is important to remember that too much grain in your cat's diet can cause them to get a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Symptoms of UTI in cats are urination in unusual places, scratching more than usual in the litter, blood in the urine, and crying or moaning when urinating.These infections make it difficult for your cat to urinate and can cause serious problems like internal bleeding and infection. If your cat exhibits sign of UTI take them to the vet immediately.

What kind of cat food though? Wet or dry? Most cats seem to prefer wet food over dry any day. Dry food is good though, as it helps remove some plaque and tartar from your cat's teeth. But, because most cats don't drink much water you should serve wet food daily. Either canned or chunks in gravy both help keep your cat adequately hydrated. Serve both wet and dry foods to your cats liking. Some cats won't each dry food, some won't eat canned, and some still won't eat food with gravy. Try to suit your cat's tastes; after all he is the one eating it.

There are all kinds of cat foods as well, other than wet and dry. You will also have to choose between kitten, indoor, outdoor, senior, weight management, hairball formula, diabetic, and other specialty cat foods. Talk to your vet about your cat's habits and together you can come up with the appropriate diet for your cat.