Feline Nutrition 101: The Basics of Feeding Your Cat

As a responsible cat parent, you’ll want to make sure that your kitty is properly fed.

14:13 12 December 2019

Good nutrition will not only help your cat maintain a healthy body weight, but it will also improve their quality of life and even extend their lifespan. Understanding the details of how feline nutrition works can be perplexing at times; how much food does my cat need? What kind of food should I get? How often should I feed my cat? Understanding the basics of feline nutrition can be overwhelming, especially for new cat parents, but don’t worry, this is why we’ve made this guide for you.

What Food Is Good For My Cat?

Your cat’s nutritional needs depend on their weight, age, and sometimes even their breed. If your cat is a kitten, make sure that you get the food that is specific to kittens because you’ll find that the difference between cats and kittens is that they need different amounts and kinds of nutrition. To ensure that the weaning process is a smooth one, the dedicated cat loversfrom Feline Living recommend mixing solid food with kitten formula. First, the mixture should contain more liquid than solid food and then you can gradually increase the solid food to liquid ratio as you transition your kitten to solid food.

A young cat between the ages of 6 months and 2 years old has dietary needs that are different than that of a kitten or an older adult. A cat’s body will continue to grow until they reach 18 months. If your cat is within this age group, and you want to ensure that they’re getting all their dietary needs, then you need to feed them food that fits the quota. Ideally, their food should consist of 30% protein, which can be found in most age-specific cat foods. If your cat is 2 years or older, their nutritional needs will mostly depend on their energy requirements. An active adult cat could require up to 30 to 40% more calories of cat food per day.

Your cat will be eating the same food at almost every meal, which is why it’s crucial that you choose a food that will meet your cat’s nutritional needs. Regardless of your cat’s age, high-quality fats and proteins must be part of your feline’s diet. Make sure that the food you feed your cat also has a sufficient amount of Taurine on it because this nutrient is extremely beneficial for your cat’s vital bodily functions.

How Much and How Often Should I Feed My Cat?

The amount of food your cat needs also depends on their age, size, and how active they are due to how much energy they have. For the average cat, around 200 calories per day is ideal. It’s important to note that the calorie count can vary significantly from one food to another, so always be sure to check it on any food you give your kitty.

Setting specific mealtimes and putting the food away at all other times is always recommended by the professionals because it limits food intake to what your cat needs and prevents overfeeding which often results in joint disease, heart disease, and diabetes. A young cat should typically be fed 3 times a day, leaning towards twice a day by the end of 2 years old. As for treats, it’s okay to offer spoil your cat every now and then, but don’t overdo it. It’s generally advised that treats shouldn’t take more than 10% of your cat’s daily calorie intake.

What Shouldn’t I Feed My Cat?

 

If the occasional human food treat is approved by your vet, make sure that your cat doesn’t receive onion, garlic, chocolate, coffee, or tea as they’re all extremely toxic to cats. Milk and raw eggs are also discouraged. Although cats need a meat-based diet, feeding your cat raw meat or fish can make them very sick because they might contain parasites. Plus, raw fish can cause a loss of appetite and seizures and the bacteria on raw meat, like salmonella and E. coli, can lead to a possible vitamin B loss.

Although they wouldn’t like to admit it, on account of their independent streak and all, our cats depend on us to make the right decisions when it comes to their diet. Whether your cat is a picky eater or a ravenous one, you need to make sure that you understand the basics of feline nutrition to ensure a happy, healthy, and long life for your little furry companion. While the above tips can serve as a general guide to feline nutrition, it’s important to remember that some cats have unique nutritional needs. So, if in doubt about your cat’s specific dietary requirements, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian.