1. Decide what type of food to feed your cat. Cat food comes in a vast array of types: dry food, semi-moist, and canned are the common types. Dry food is easily and efficiently stored, but cats go wild for the taste of semi-moist and canned foods. The latter types can add more fluid to the cat’s diet than dry foods. In general, food type comes down to owner preference.
- Occasionally, a cat with a medical condition might need one type over another. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
2. Choose a good brand of cat food. Like other animals, cats have some specific nutritional needs. They are "obligate carnivores," which means they need animal proteins to avoid severe health consequences.[12] Ask your vet for suggestions about a good quality food. Cheaper products may not provide enough nutrition to keep your cat happy and healthy.
- Look for cat foods that list large amounts of animal meat like beef, chicken, turkey, or fish.[13]
- Also look for important amino acids like taurine and arginine and fatty acids like arachidonic and linoleic acid.[14]
- Avoid feeding your cat human foods unless you have cleared the food with your veterinarian. Some human foods can make a cat severely sick or are even toxic to cats (e.g., chocolate).
3. Follow your cat food's suggested feeding guide.[15] In general, cats are fed according to age, weight and activity levels. They prefer to eat frequent, small meals throughout the day.[16]
- Ask your vet for recommendations on what and how to feed your cat if you have any reservations.
4. Don't overfeed your cat. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations closely and make sure your cat gets plenty of exercise, as obesity is one of the biggest health issues facing cats today. Obese cats are more likely to develop diabetes when they approach middle age. Extra weight also contributes to arthritis, heart disease, and other health problems in cats.[17]
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