Pets have been shown to provide great companionship together with a variety of health benefits such as decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But how do you ensure they are well fed? In this article, we will examine the factors to consider when selecting which type of food to give your pet cat to ensure its nutritional and feeding needs are met.
Apart from being carnivorous, cats are also picky eaters. Without the right information, you can find it quite tasking to meet your pet’s daily dietary needs. The choice of cat food you pick out for your pet should be high in moisture and protein and low in carbohydrates and fats. Happy pets make for happy owners and feeding plays a major role in this.
Factors to Consider in Selecting Cat Food
For good health and general playfulness, cat owners pay special attention to the food they nourish their pets on to ensure it meets their nutritional needs and appeals to their taste buds. By understanding the factors that influence what cats eat, the owner will not only save on feeding but will also have a content pet as a companion.
- Life stage – The age of your pet determines their nutritional needs based on their activity levels. You have to be very keen on the nutritional adequacy statements indicated on the pet food packaging for the different life stages. Kittens and adult cats have different dietary needs and the feed you give them should match the stage they are at. For example, a nursing cat should be fed with feed that has a higher calorific content to ensure she meets the kittens’ nutritional needs.
- Nutritional breakdown – Cats are carnivorous animals and their food should be very high in protein. It’s important to source the protein from animal-based products for the right nutritional balance. Most packaged foods are manufactured with respect to standards on the sufficient; protein, carbohydrates, and fats required for daily nutritional needs. Nevertheless, the nutritional needs should be guided by your pet’s life stage.
- Wet food or dry food – The best pet owners make decisions based on advice from experts. It’s important to consult your veterinary officer on the best type of food to give your pet before settling on either wet or dry food. Dry food comes in the form of kibbles that last longer and can be frozen to keep ingredients fresh. Wet food is usually canned to maintain freshness. Most pet owners feed their pets a mix of both wet and dry food for a balanced diet and to ensure their cats are sufficiently hydrated.
Conclusion
Finding the most nutritious solution for your cat is the mark of a responsible pet owner. Getting a basic understanding of the issues to consider when evaluating the feed helps you to get value for money and keeps your pet well-fed and healthy. Consulting your veterinarian officer puts you on the right path in your pet’s nutritional journey. Your pet will be thankful for this by being more playful and generally offering better companionship.
