Everything about cat nutrition. How to feed them, what food they prefer, and how to keep them healthy

Cats are special animals that require special attention and appropriate food. As carnivores, their diet must necessarily be based on meat and meat products.

To ensure your cat lives a long and healthy life, you'll need to learn how to feed it properly and how to make sure your furry friend gets all the nutrients it needs.

Even if you feed them both homemade food and cat food, your feline companion must receive a balanced dose of fats, minerals, carbohydrates, and vitamins to avoid health problems. You will also need to consider other factors, which we will detail below.

• How to feed your cat according to its age
• What to feed cats and how to serve their food
• How much does a cat eat
• How important is water for a cat
• What nutrients does your cat need

How to feed your cat according to its age

A cat's diet and nutritional needs change with age. Felines face certain health problems due to genetics, and to prevent these from manifesting, we must provide them with a balanced diet, tailored to their needs during that period. Additionally, besides special food, we will also need certain cat accessories, with which we can properly trim their nails or comb them when they shed.

What small cats eat

Also, you need to consider that a kitten's teeth are not yet sufficiently developed and that you need to feed it with very small pieces of food to prevent choking. Because it is growing, the cat will need food as rich in protein as possible. It is important to note that in the first 12 months, the animal consumes twice as much energy as it does in adulthood.

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Food for adult cats

Now that you know what kittens eat, here's the diet an adult cat should have. After reaching 12 months of age, cats are considered adults and should be fed accordingly. During this period, we will need to change their diet and adjust it to meet their new daily needs.

If the cat is spayed or neutered, its nutritional needs are entirely different. Because their hormone production is decreasing, you will have to supplement this deficiency through diet and feed them nutrient-rich food. Also, during this period, you need to reduce the calorie count in their food because, after spaying/neutering, animals exert less effort and tend to gain weight.

When transitioning from one product to another, it is important to know your cat's daily food requirement in advance and to make a gradual transition from the current food to the new specialty. A sudden change in diet could cause digestive problems for the cat, and to avoid this, you should proceed as follows:

• For the first two days, it is recommended to create a composition in which you add a quarter of the new type of food and three-quarters of the one your pet is already used to;
• On the third and fourth day, the composition should contain half of both types of food, and on the fifth and sixth day, the cat's food will contain three parts of the new product and one part of the old food. From the seventh day, if the cat seems to have no adaptation problems, you can offer it the new food without issues.

What to feed cats and how to serve their food

The type of food you feed your cat depends largely on its preferences. Some felines prefer dry food, while others are more enthusiastic about wet food. However, if the cat is not picky, we can alternate between the two types of food without problems.

Dry food

Dry food is beneficial for our animals, being considered the "toothbrush" for cats. Dry food helps clean cats' tartar, a very common problem in felines, much more common than in dogs.

Quality food will also contribute to improving cats' immune system, which is extremely important for keeping them healthy.

Wet food

When serving wet food to cats, you must ensure it is at room temperature. If the food is too cold, your pet will experience tooth and stomach pain. However, wet food has many advantages for both kittens and adult felines, as they will get a significant portion of their necessary water intake from this type of food.

You can store leftover portions in the refrigerator, but for a maximum of 24 hours, and when serving the cat a second time, you must again wait until the food reaches room temperature. Because the risk of germ growth is higher with wet food, it is not recommended to prepare such food at home.

How much does a cat eat

Every cat needs a different amount of food, and to establish a daily portion for our pet, we will need to ensure that it eats enough to be full, but not to gain weight.

If your pet is overweight, you will need to reduce its daily food portion until you notice an improvement.

How important is water for a cat

Dehydration is a very serious problem for any cat, and if the feline doesn't drink enough water, it can develop bladder problems or cystitis. To avoid this situation, you must ensure that your feline has access to potable water, both day and night.

Normally, a four-kilogram cat needs about 100 ml of water per day. However, if it eats wet food, it is normal for the pet to drink a smaller amount of water.

What nutrients does your cat need

To lead a long and healthy life, your cat needs a balanced diet from which it can get all the nutrients it needs. Here are the main substances your pet needs and how each one helps it.

Fat

From this substance, the cat gets the energy that keeps it active throughout the day. Also, fat has the role of insulating and protecting its internal organs.

Minerals

Minerals are important for the cat's bones and teeth, having the role of keeping them healthy and strong. With a diet rich in minerals, the feline will have healthy teeth and strong bones.

Carbohydrates

As a rule, a cat does not need a lot of carbohydrates in its diet. The only advantage of this substance is that it will contribute to maintaining intestinal health.

Vitamins

The cat needs vitamins especially when it is growing for proper development. After reaching maturity, your pet's food will need to include vitamins to keep its coat healthy, to heal wounds, and to ensure the health of its entire nervous system.

Because your little furry companion's needs are important, you must always make sure it receives all the attention it needs and that you feed it properly. Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest types of cat food on the market.

Photo source: Shutterstock

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