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What does my cat need to have a nutritionally balanced diet?
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Cats need a complete and balanced diet that has the right amounts of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in the correct proportions. Cats have unique requirements for certain nutrients such as Vitamin A, taurine and arachidonic acid which are only found in animal tissues and must be constantly supplied in their diet. Remember, water is one of the most vital nutrients and should be available at all times.
Home-prepared diets should only be attempted with advice from your vet. Choose a premium food that is complete and made from high quality ingredients to ensure your cat’s good health and one for the correct stage in its life.
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Can I feed my cat dog food?
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No! Cats are unique in that they need specific nutrients, which they cannot manufacture in their body, unlike dogs. These essential nutrients include taurine and arachidonic acid, which are not present in dog food. A deficiency of taurine will cause eye problems, including blindness, and a lack of arachidonic acid will result in dry, scaly skin. Cats also require a higher level of protein and fat in their diet than dogs and a lower level of carbohydrates.
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What are premium pet foods and why are they better?
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When it comes to commercial foods, you get what you pay for. Premium pet foods from reputable companies are made from higher quality ingredients and according to higher manufacturing standards. They have a fixed ingredient profile or recipe. This means that the ingredients and their proportions are exactly the same in each batch, regardless of cost.
Cheaper brands often have an open recipe, utilising the least expensive ingredients available at the time. The result is an inconsistent and poorer quality product that can be detrimental to your cat’s health.
Although they appear more expensive, the premium brands are significantly higher in nutritional density meaning that much smaller amounts are needed to satisfy your cat’s requirements. Your cat also leaves less mess!
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Can I feed my cat meat?
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Despite being a strict carnivore, cats cannot survive on an all-meat diet. This is especially crucial for kittens. In the wild cats consume their entire prey, including the skin, feathers, bones, tendons and internal organs, as well as the muscle. Meat alone is deficient in vitamins and has an imbalance of calcium to phosphorous that can lead to severe bone growth problems.
A small amount of cooked meat may be used as an occasional treat, never more than 10% of the total diet. Raw meat can contain bacteria or parasites and should be avoided, and excesses of raw fish or liver is dangerous to your cat’s health.
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Can I give my cat milk?
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Milk is not necessary to a cat’s diet once it is weaned and its ability to digest lactose from this time decreases dramatically. Some adult cats are lactose intolerant and will develop diarrhoea if fed milk. If you wish to feed your cat milk then you should dilute it with water initially and gradually increase the strength. Return to water only if your cat develops diarrhoea. Low lactose pet milks are available commercially.
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Can I give my cat bones?
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An important part of a cat's diet is raw chicken wings and necks. This is not for nutritional value but to help keep the teeth clean. Many cats over the age of 5 years have significant calculus on their teeth because they do not eat bones, and this leads to gingivitis, periodontal disease and the possibility of infection spreading to other organs in his body.
Raw chicken bones should be given to your cat at least twice weekly. For kittens, the wing tips are more suitable, and progress to the entire wing as they grow. Make sure chicken bones are stored correctly to avoid bacterial contamination and avoid cooked bones that can splinter and cause punctures. Alternatively, specially designed dental chews are available to help keep teeth clean.
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How much should I feed my cat?
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Animals will usually eat enough to satisfy their energy needs. Use the recommendations on the product label as a guide and adjust feeding levels according to your cat’s condition.
Kittens under 3 months of age should be fed 4 times a day, then gradually reduce the feeds to twice a day by 12 months of age. Adult cats are usually fed morning and night, while some like to have lunchtime feed as well. Cats have a relatively small stomach and naturally prefer smaller meals more often.
In, general you can serve as much as your cat wants to eat at each meal. Remove any uneaten portions after 20 – 30 minutes and replace with fresh food at the next meal. Some cats are prone to obesity and you may need to reduce their intake or change the type of food to a light formula or one that is specifically designed for weight loss. Don’t forget your cat needs exercise, too and plenty of fresh water.
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How do I choose the right food for my cat? What is meant by life stages?
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Life stages are simply the different developmental stages of your cat’s life. For each stage they have different nutritional requirements.
Growth diets for kittens contain higher levels of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to support their rapid growth needs. They are also suitable for pregnant and nursing cats.
Adult or maintenance diets are formulated to maintain the weight of an average adult cat. For less active or overweight adult cats there are light formulas and obese cats may need specifically designed weight reduction diets available from your vet.
Senior foods for the older cat, generally over 7 – 8 years of age, contain less fat and fewer calories for their slower metabolism but have extra vitamins and minerals to maintain their health.
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Is it best to feed my cat dry or tinned food?
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As long as the diet is complete and balanced it doesn’t matter which type of food you feed your cat and you can feed a mixture of dry and canned if your cat prefers.
Dry food is generally more convenient and economical than canned food. Dry biscuits also help keep teeth healthy and, as long as plenty of fresh water is available, they do not cause urinary problems in your cat. Premium brands that are of good quality are formulated to promote urinary tract health.
Canned food is very palatable but contains a large percentage of water and you will need to feed larger amounts for the same level of nutrients. If you feed your cat only canned food then you will need to provide special dental chews or treats to help clean the teeth.
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Petalia Resident Vet: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
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