Creating a Healthy Diet for Your Cat

1. Introduction

An appropriate diet is crucial for good health and a high quality of life for our cats. Proper nutrition can reduce the risk of obesity, improve coat and skin health, aid digestion and the absorption of nutrients, reduce the frequency of hairballs, and obtain optimal feline dental health. Today, cats need to have the proper nutritional portions in either commercial diets or human foods in order to maintain a healthy body weight and to survive for as long as we hope them to live. Many misconceptions exist when it comes to feeding our cats, including the belief that they must be fed only cat food, raw food is essential, or all proteins are bad.Human foods can be beneficial to cats if given in the right amount of nutrients to complement cat foods. These nutrients should be aimed at the individual needs of each cat and largely depend on its age, weight, breed, disease, activity, expected or physiological factors, like pregnancy or baby development and lactation. But what exactly are these nutrients and why are they so important for the health of our cats? This report intends to assist the reader with answering these questions by discussing key nutrients, feeding management, common misconceptions, and future recommendations in detail. The other problem many cat owners are facing today is concerns about how commercial cat foods are being produced and in what quantities nutrients are being entered. Therefore, many cat owners are turning to human foods to cook nutritionally balanced meals.

2. Understanding Your Cat's Nutritional Needs

Understanding your cat's nutritional needs is important. Protein in a cat's diet is used for energy, as well as for bodily functions like muscle maintenance and hair growth. It is also crucial for kittens' development, making protein a highly important nutrient in any cat's diet. It is important to understand that cats and dogs have very different nutritional requirements; cats, unlike dogs, are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat animal matter to meet their nutritional needs, simply because their bodies cannot create enough of certain nutrients from plant ingredients. In particular, cats cannot make vitamin A, taurine, arachidonic acid, niacin, or certain essential amino acids on their own and, therefore, need to get these nutrients directly from the animal matter in their diet.All of these nutrients are found in very high levels in animal tissues, particularly organs, which is why leading cat food nutritionists have historically recommended these as the primary ingredient in a feline diet. In addition to understanding cats as animals, one must also consider the individual cat when determining dietary needs. Factors like a cat's life stage, activity level, or any existing health conditions can all influence how much a cat needs to eat and how to change its diet to maintain optimal health. This is why cats need a balanced diet of foods that contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, good proteins, and healthy fats in the right amounts and ratios; this can help prevent common health problems like obesity and diabetes mellitus. Observing your cat's eating and drinking habits, as well as its body condition, can help you assess their caloric and nutritional needs. Lastly, it is highly recommended that you talk to your veterinarian because they may provide you with additional guidance regarding your cat's unique nutritional needs.

2.1. Essential Nutrients for Cats

It's essential for your cat to have a rounded and balanced diet, as unsuitable food can cause health problems, dental issues, and more. However, understanding what's nutritious isn't always easy. Cat owners not only need to select diets with the best nutritional content, but must also ensure that the menu has bioavailable building blocks. Animals require nutrients to help with muscle function, control their metabolic functions, and more. When checking a food label, it shows guaranteed analyses, so you would like to see protein and fat numbers.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which is why they require protein to keep their bodies. Substituting for soured vegetable protein can trigger unwanted health problems. Taurine is an important amino acid that is essential for good heart and eye function in cats. A lack of taurine can contribute to heart disease and the reduction of sight. On labels, you don't see taurine stats, but you can note that the meat named is the first or primary protein source. Fats are also important on the list of ingredients, not the flavorings added towards the end. Bearings are recognized because they contain a high concentration of animal fat, which can pose a risk to your cat's health, considering the fat level in your diet. When picking your cat's diet, we need vitamins and minerals.

3. Selecting the Right Cat Food

Selecting the most effective cat food comes along with effective knowledge about your cat and what goes into formulating cat food. Ensuring that your domestic cat gets an appropriate diet is important to maintain good health. Here’s what to consider:

Cat Food Factors to Consider

Many ingredients go into various commercial cat foods. It’s necessary to make use of a variety of nutrients instead of focusing concentration on a few ingredients as the label indicates. They consist of over 40 ingredients requiring those essentials which include proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Look through each of the ingredients and ensure they’re at the top of your list because they determine the nature and quality of the cat food you’re about to select. Reading the nutritional label is a useful guide when selecting a suitable cat food product.

Cat Food Brands

There are various brands in the market. It’s necessary to compare the ingredients of different cat food brands. Quality cat food brands create businesses that flourish more than those that are cost-effective. If you are in search of a reliable cat food brand, review top cat food brands as they focus on the natural supplements that are beneficial to animals. Before deciding on whether to settle with natural or organic cat food, it's best to consult your veterinarian. There are also benefits and drawbacks of using commercial versus homemade cat food.

3.1. Types of Cat Food

● These include: Dry Cat Food: They’re stored in bags and should be sealed and kept in a cool, dry place. A variety of dry cat foods are rich in carbohydrates and are good for stabilizing the digestive system. The coarse texture encourages chewing and remarkably helps maintain the dental health of your cat.

● Wet Cat Food: They’re of different flavors and remain fresh in cans. Wet cat food is regarded as tastier to some cats compared to dry food. It is generally nutritious. Wet cat food also contains water, which may be beneficial during the treatment of the urinary system, kidneys, and bladder. It’s important to identify what suits your cat and to establish healthy eating habits.

3.2. Reading Cat Food Labels

To be able to decide between good and bad cat food, it’s important to read the labels. Ingredients are essentially listed based on weight, meaning if a value is based on its position, it is not likely to be the major ingredient. If the percentage of the ingredients listed is qualitatively superb and offers the needed nutrients such as proteins, fats, and oils, the best cat food must have quality ingredient content or show a fat-to-protein ratio that will boost and energize the immune system of your domesticated pet. However, it’s important to consult professionals before finalizing your options, particularly when pet owners are unsure of their animals' allergies, sensitivities, and backgrounds.

3.3. Types of Cat Food

As of 2021, modern cat food comes in three main forms: dry food, wet food, and raw food. Kibble, the most readily available type of cat food, is simple to serve and store. Dry food has the added advantage of scratching tartar and plaque off the teeth when cats bite and chew. Wet cat food, due to its high moisture content, aids in maintaining a cat's hydration levels. Furthermore, many cat owners prefer wet food due to its palatability. Fresh and air-dried ingredients are used in several premium brands. Homemade raw food diets, consisting mainly of muscle meat, organs, and whole bones, are the closest to a wild diet. Raw food diets are thought to offer a number of health benefits, but caution must be exercised when storing and preparing raw meat in order to avoid foodborne illnesses.

Pet food producers promise that proprietary diets will help cats remain healthy and avoid diseases. Philosophies differ, and it is often difficult to know who is telling the truth. When it comes to feline nutrition, the one thing that scientists agree on is that several factors, including genetics, environment, and feeding, may influence a cat's well-being. Each type of cat food has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The most significant choice is the one that best suits the cat and owner's preferences and lifestyles. A blend of dry, wet, and raw meals also aids in the fulfillment of diverse dietary demands. In general, cat owners can choose the food with the highest standards that most closely matches their budget.

4. Feeding Schedule and Portions

In general, setting designated regular feeding times is healthier than allowing a cat to have access to a bowl of food 24/7. Scheduled meals provide a predictable and stable mealtime, which can support their digestive health and also encourage normal behavior. Overfeeding is a key factor in obesity, so understanding how much to feed your cat is essential. Though it can vary with each individual, most cats can consume between 24 and 35 calories per pound of body weight per day. This standard calculation can be affected by two major individual factors: your cat’s age and their optimum weight. Adjustments should be made to their daily intake when providing diet food or weight-loss aid, or on the other end of the spectrum, when providing high-caloric treats such as table scraps.

The frequency that cats are fed, whether twice a day or every few hours, is also an individual factor based on age, health, and activity level. Adult cats and kittens over 6 months, based on body weight and size, may require meals 2 to 4 times a day. Male cats tend to eat more than females, and cats between the ages of 6 months and 7 years old require larger portion sizes than older cats or kittens. Ultimately, if you are providing the appropriate amount of a balanced diet, the frequency of feeding is up to you and your pet. Cats are very sensitive to changes in their food, so it is imperative that any changes in food be made through a transition phased over a week to avoid a variety of digestive upsets. During this food change, 25% of the new diet should be mixed in with 75% of the old. Monitor stool consistency and any possible adverse reactions while transitioning their diet, and adjust the speed of the transition as needed.

5. Monitoring Your Cat's Health and Adjusting the Diet

To maintain optimal health, make sure your cat visits the veterinarian as needed for check-ups and weigh-ins. If you notice physical changes in your cat that cannot be accounted for through normal dietary needs, such as unexplained weight loss or gain, changes to coat or skin health, or a shift in behavior or energy levels, talk to your veterinarian. It might be time to adjust your cat’s diet to better suit their physical and mental health needs. Continue to be your cat’s advocate and adjust their diet as needed to fit their life stage, lifestyle, and health status. Keep in mind that kittens will have different dietary needs from adolescents, who will still have different needs from active adults. Younger adults will have different needs from older adults and seniors, and older adults from the geriatric cat. Cats who are ill or suffering from age-related health concerns may need diets formulated to help their health status. Make changes to your cat’s diet slowly over the course of two or more weeks if you need to make a change at home. If your cat shows any changes in behavior or energy levels or develops vomiting or diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. Keep in mind that nutrition isn’t static. It changes based on the complexity of age, lifestyle, health status, and changing metabolic needs.

6. Commercial Cat Food vs. Homemade Diets

The two main ways to provide food for your cat are commercial cat food or homemade diets. Both approaches have their pros and cons. Animal food companies market their products as having the necessary number of nutrients to keep your cat healthy and happy. These companies also have to meet strict standards in what to include in their pet foods. A major advantage of feeding commercial cat food is the convenience for you as the cat owner. Cat food can be purchased at any time and has a longer shelf life than the time that homemade cat food would last.Real ingredients prepared by an owner are used in a homemade cat diet. Some of the foods we make for our cats are chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, and even oats for kittens. Homemade diets can also be more palatable, enticing cats with food texturing such as adding broth from common chicken. Individually making your cat's food can give you peace of mind and the ability to eat a healthier diet. While homemade food is a good option for some cat owners, it can come with downsides. A homemade diet can take you a lot more time and effort to prepare the meal. To provide a well-balanced diet for cats, research needs to be done to ensure the correct origin provides the right vitamins and minerals and how much to feed cats. It is important not to make a mistake with homemade diets, leading to the development of more common and sometimes fatal illnesses that can result in many diseases. The cost of a homemade diet can also be overly high when considering the time spent researching alternatives and the purchase of ingredients to be used. For some, access to healthy and nutritious cat food is not a problem. They have many canned foods and dry foods to choose from to provide most of the daily needs for cats.

6.1. Pros and Cons of Commercial Cat Food

Commercial Cat FoodWhile feeding your cat commercial cat foods may not seem like it is the be-all, end-all for health, it does have its advantages. The most obvious pro to feeding cats commercial cat food is that it is easy. With ready-made meals, you don’t have to do any preparation work. They’re easy. They also do not have high moisture content, so it is not essential to keep them in the refrigerator. This makes them easier to store, so people on the go and in smaller apartments can store large amounts of food with little issue.Commercial cat foods are also usually formulated to meet the guidelines set by veterinary associations, which lists the minimum requirements of various nutrients and the maximum of undesirable things. Most regulated commercial cat diets are within the recommended nutritional guidelines for cats. However, there are some negatives to commercial cat foods. Most specifically to an individual is skepticism about the marketing for some of the commercial cat foods. Many foods market themselves as something they are not, leading to cats with worse health than on proper nutrition. It is for this reason that you must look at the ingredient list to decide whether to feed something to your cat. Tellingly enough, this is the ingredient list that most manufacturers try to push out of consumer view! Individually does not have an ingredient list and does not speak of the meals in this category. There is also substantial doubt about the quality of some of the ingredients used in cat foods, just as with dog foods. Many consider low-quality cat foods to be among the worst choices for your pet. Finally, not all pets like the same pet food. Even within "premium" cat foods, some brands are rated more highly for going uneaten than others. If you've tried a few cat foods without luck, it may be worth looking into the top pet foods rated by customers. Full ingredient lists are provided on the base of each review.

6.2. Benefits and Risks of Homemade Diets

The Potential Benefits of Homemade Diets Homemade diets offer the advantage of control over the ingredients in your cat's food. This can make it easier to identify and eliminate specific ingredients to which a cat may be allergic or intolerant. It also allows you to select meats that you believe are organic, grass-fed, or free of antibiotics, and to choose, if you so desire, freshly prepared fruits and vegetables for your cat's meals rather than commercially processed ingredients. Furthermore, given their freshness and non-processed nature, homemade diets are less likely to contain preservatives or other additives that some reports have linked to the development of allergies in some cats.Risks Associated with Homemade Diets Formulating a nutritionally complete and balanced diet for a cat requires a great deal of time, research, and commitment to feline nutrition. Making the right decisions regarding a homemade diet for your cat may not be as simple as it seems, and it's inappropriate to suggest a one-size-fits-all homemade diet for the general cat population. If not carefully prepared and analyzed, homemade diets can be deficient in many nutrients, so it is generally inappropriate to simply select a variety of meats, fish, and vegetables to mix and feed to a cat. The nutrient needs of the cat must be carefully considered first. To determine the best homemade diet for your cat, consult with your veterinarian who has training in animal nutrition. Also, be cautious about food safety, i.e., not contaminating yourself with raw food when preparing the food and washing your hands and utensils after handling the raw food. Also, wash your cat's food dishes or provide fresh food for every meal.

7. Key Nutrients for Cats

Your cat's diet is the single most important factor in her health and longevity. It makes sense, then, to focus on the nutritional components of this all-important equation. So what are the essential ingredients of a healthy cat or kitten diet? There are six basic classes of nutrients that your cat needs to sustain life. Animal-derived by-products are not bad. Cats are carnivores and in their natural setting would sustain themselves on a prey-based diet. Make a food choice based on what you know about feline nutritional needs. All of the key nutrients you will find in commercially prepared pet food apply to our homemade diets; they provide energy, support the growth of tissues, are necessary co-factors for almost every cell function in the body, and are necessary to support the regulation of key body systems. Nutrients can be divided into six classes: water, proteins, fats or lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.Nutrients are not one size fits all, so it is important to understand all of the basics of nutrition to maximize your pet’s health and well-being. Protein is the most important nutrient in all pet and animal diets and is necessary for life. Energy is utilized by your pet’s body and provides the necessary nutrients to keep your cat running at her best. You will also need to understand that individuals of the same species can require significantly different doses of necessary nutrients, and that dietary needs can change with consideration to age, life stage, and lifestyle. To some extent, cats can and do use carbohydrates to meet their energy needs. Despite popular belief, feline diets with a lower carbohydrate level have not been shown to minimize complications or attenuate becoming a diabetic cat, nor is there any proof that they can help manage diabetes in cats. Further, there are no benefits to feeding bland diets to minimize nausea in cats. Vitamins and minerals are needed to prevent deficiencies that can eventually lead to disease.

7.1. Proteins

Proteins have a lot of important jobs in your cat's body. Essentially, they function as a building block, supporting strong, healthy muscles, organs, and tissues. But unlike dogs and people, cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require a meat-based diet to thrive. Cats are uniquely adapted to get their energy primarily from proteins, rather than from carbohydrates or fat. For this reason, cats typically do better with a higher protein diet than many other pets.There are many types of proteins that your cat may be able to eat, but some are healthier than others. Meat is one of the best protein sources for cats because it is easily digestible, and it contains many important vitamins and nutrients that contribute to a cat's well-being. Fish and chicken are common choices for cat food, but the best protein source will vary from cat to cat. In addition to multiple types of meat, you may also see some supplements listed on your cat's food to ensure a complete, balanced diet, such as taurine, an essential amino acid. Taurine is found primarily in animal tissues and cannot be found in plant sources of protein. A deficiency in this amino acid can cause a host of health problems, ranging from blindness to heart disease. The combination of proteins can be just as important as the total protein content of your pet's food, so remember to focus on a balanced diet rather than any one element. In summary, proteins are a critical part of a complete diet for any cat. Administering a balanced amount of high-quality proteins in a cat's diet ensures that they can maintain strong muscles, clear vision, and a healthy immune system. Without an adequate supply of fuel, over time, complex health problems, ranging from deterioration of muscle tissues to immune deficiencies, can become more prevalent. Due to their innate necessary diet, cats need proteins obtained from animal tissues to maintain their biological function.4.2. FatsPart 4: Bedrock Nutrient Components of a Cat’s Diet

7.2. Fats

Fats are an essential energy source in the diet and compose about 15-25% of commercial cat food. In addition to supplying a cat with calories, various fats play important structural, cellular health, and cellular modulator roles. One function of fats is to provide body fat reserves that can be quickly converted to energy. The interior of animal cells, as well as the myelin sheath coating long nerves, contains fat. The proper functioning of cells is dependent upon the presence of particular types of fat. Fat is a necessary part of a diet because of the way it works with other nutrients. Fat helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins by the intestine. The fat in a diet also contains several essential fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, which cats cannot make. Fats can lead to disease if you give too many or too much of the wrong kinds. Fats are comprised of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen chemically combined into very long chains. Each link is called a fatty acid, and many of the fatty acids in the diet and the body have a long carbon chain. Fats with a long carbon chain are called triglycerides. Depending upon how the carbon atoms are linked together and the degree of saturation, triglycerides are classified as saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and trans fats. Unsaturated fats are the structural fats found in plants and are generally considered to be more beneficial than other forms of fat. Because cats are obligate carnivores and consume few, if any, plant-based fats in the wild, commercial and homemade cat foods should reflect a meat base. There are two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are considered essential in a cat’s diet. They are the omega-3 fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA, docosahexaenoic acid, and omega-6 alpha-linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and AA. Essential fatty acids are required for the formation of the skin, nails, and brain. Omega fatty acids are also necessary for blood clotting and for controlling inflammation. If a cat does not have enough of these fatty acids, it can lead to hair loss, skin sores, trouble in having kittens, and the kittens may have problems of their own. Omegas have anti-inflammatory properties and may help with arthritis discomfort and support proper development. Fats are beneficial to the body, but excessive fat can contribute to various diseases. Some vitamins, like A, D, and K, which store in our bodies, are fat-soluble. These vitamins are stored in the liver and inside fat cells. When the cat needs them, they are released from storage and transported in the blood to wherever they are needed. Too much fat can lead to liver problems, diabetes, arthritis, and obesity. A diet with too much fat can lead to your cat becoming overweight or even obese, which is common due to the guidelines not being as clear as they could be. This causes wear and tear on the body and can lead to many other health issues including diabetes, fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis. Many pet parents will underfeed their pet if they choose a commercial diet low in fat/low calories because they are overly fat-phobic. Homemade food should include recipes with the proper proportion of fats. Too few omega-3 fatty acids can lead to inflammation, arthritis, and an unhealthy skin and coat. It is also possible to have too many omega-3s, which can lead to inflammation, especially if there are not equal parts omega-6s. The quality and source of the fat you feed is crucial to your pet’s overall health. Be careful not to over or underfeed your pet on fat, as each pet has different needs based on their health, current weight, age, and breed.

7.3. Carbohydrates

Cats do not have a requirement for dietary carbohydrates. However, they can utilize certain types to meet their energy requirements. Carbohydrates in the feline diet come mainly from grains, which include cereals and pulses, and to a lesser extent from root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beetroot, as well as vegetables like peas and carrots. Most carbohydrates, especially from cereals, are broken down into glucose, which is then taken up by the body for metabolism. Research has shown that cats digest some carbohydrate sources more efficiently than others and that they do not digest them to the same degree that other mammals can. Dietary fiber, carbohydrates that cannot be digested by a cat, can promote digestive health, in part by increasing fecal bulk.In the diet, fiber from grains provides energy for the cat. Cats also possess the necessary enzymes to extract energy from their own tissues, meaning that this fiber, while it can certainly provide benefits in terms of bowel health, is not absolutely required to meet the cat’s energy requirements. Cats swallow a significant amount of fur when grooming, which can be exacerbated in long-haired cats. The inclusion of fiber can help in the safe transit of fur through the digestive system so that it is passed in the stool rather than causing constipation or hairball formation. Restricting the diet’s ash content is a marketing phrase with no scientific basis. However, a diet extremely high in carbohydrates can lead to excessive calorie consumption and result in obesity. Carbohydrates are a cheaper source of energy than protein, which is mainly why they are included in cat foods. However, be careful—some diets aren’t very balanced, having a lot of carbohydrates and not enough protein or fat.

7.4. Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are both a necessary part of a cat's diet for the maintenance of overall health. Vitamins are a large group of unrelated compounds; their common denominator is the essential part they play in the regulation of various metabolic processes. Vitamins are divided into two types: fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, and water-soluble vitamins. Both types are needed. The B-complex group consists of water-soluble vitamins. Minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, and magnesium, have many roles in the body. Some of their functions include the formation of bone and teeth, maintenance of proper fluid balance in the body, transmission of nerve impulses, and regulation of muscle tone, including the muscles in the heart. If the diet is deficient in calcium and/or phosphorus, or is too high in either of these minerals, a number of health problems can result. Some of the signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies specifically related to the problems of a more extensive list are, but are not limited to: vitamin A deficiency - night blindness, problems with growth; vitamin D deficiency - rickets, fractures of bones (due to bones becoming weak), slowed growth. Dogs and cats have different needs, and a commercial vitamin and mineral multi-supplement made for dogs can be highly toxic to a cat if given in excessive amounts. The recommended daily allowance varies with the cat's age, according to health status, and also if the cat is fed a moist or dry feline diet. To determine the correct levels for your cat, you should speak to a veterinarian and be given a guide as to the recommended daily allowance of each vitamin and mineral for your cat as part of the overall calorie content of the diet. It is important to feed a properly balanced commercial diet for your cat (or conduct careful research if you are feeding a homemade feline diet) that contains all these vitamins and minerals in the amounts they need. Not all home diets are balanced perfectly, so other than recipes designed to meet nutrient requirements, cats can also be fed a commercial pet diet. A list of signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies is below so that it might be recognized by owners that there could be an underlying problem.

8. Feeding Guidelines

As a responsible cat owner, one of the most important things to come to terms with is feeding your feline friend. There are an awful lot of cat feeding choices, and they all come with an equal dose of passionate opinion. I’m not going to drive you crazy with that. Instead, I’d encourage you to think of two things: keep a routine that supports the nutritional needs of a feline carnivore. Learn how to make simple food changes and body condition assessments that support a healthy muscle-to-fat ratio. Portion Control It’s a fact that over half of the cats in the United States are overweight. Keeping a healthy weight is great for mobility and reduces the risk of several obesity-related diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. Obesity decreases quality of life and potentially decreases lifespan. I suspect readers of this article don’t want to compromise their cat’s life and livelihood. Feeding Frequency Wild cats are solitary hunters, so if you have multiple cats, their “wild side” might conflict. Meal feeding is often better for outdoor cats that can be kept safe away from a window or inside. Outdoor cats tend to keep their distance from each other and can be more relaxed about their association. Water Intake Many people underestimate the need for clean water. If your cat turns up their nose at water, consider trying a pet water fountain. It is logical that cats go where the water is flowing, as long as the water itself is clean. Many cats prefer that their water supply be separate from their messy food supply. It will be necessary to provide multiple bowls of water, especially in multi-cat homes. You know what their favorite problem is: swirling fingers and splashing water. Keep an eye out for mold. Filled water bowls can show this unit on holiday or high-humidity days.

8.1. Portion Control

Over 60% of cats in the US are overweight or obese. Cats that eat more calories than they are able to use for energy will store the excess as fat. Some cats are more prone to obesity because of breed or genetics. However, the bottom line is that if they are not majorly affected by one of these causes, obesity is simply caused by overfeeding. Regularly consuming too many calories will eventually lead to obesity. Once overweight, it is very difficult to return to a previously undernourished body condition. Some of the health consequences of obesity in cats include diabetes, arthritis, liver disease, and skin and coat problems, to name just a few. It is your job as a cat owner to take control over how much your cat eats to prevent all of these problems and to ultimately give your cat a long, healthy, and happy life. The basic rules for how much to feed each cat in your home involve evaluating each cat individually; age, size, activity level, and health concerns all play a role in calorie needs. Cat food and treats are generally always offered to you by volume, and on the packaging, you will see suggested amounts on the nutrition label. This will be given as a guideline of how many cups or cans per day to give to an average cat. The best accounting for food is by weight, using a scale, as 1 oz canned food = 30 kcals, 1 oz kibble = 100 kcal, and 1 stick of string cheese = ~550 kcal. Many cat owners prefer a measuring cup to a scale. In general, regular cups are not enough to properly measure pet food in cup portions, as they are not the same size as liquid measuring cups and vary widely between brands. Try measuring out water in a liquid measuring cup alongside using the food you will portion to see the difference. Read the label for these portions or a calorie content per specific can. It is important to adjust the amounts based on a regular, comprehensive physical exam where a vet can make a recommendation to encourage weight loss or weight gain. Choose the Right Feeding Bowl Choose the perfect bowl for your cat. Stainless steel or ceramic are preferable to porous materials as they harbor fewer bacteria. Using a bowl that is wider than your cat's whiskers can also be helpful in promoting rapid eating behaviors.

8.2. Feeding Frequency

In contrast, with dogs, cats are natural grazers, and so it’s better to feed them several small meals a day (typically between five and eight meals per day, but at least three or four). Grazing throughout the day is more natural for cats because, in the wild, they would spend several hours each day hunting, eating, napping, and then hunting again. Grazing often prevents vomiting, which is common in cats who eat one or two large meals a day. It also helps decrease the formation of hairballs. Feeding schedules can vary depending on whether your kitty is young, middle-aged, senior, a working cat, and the size of the cat. House cats often increase in girth as they age, even if they’re fed the same amounts of food and calories. Most cats overeat if food is available around the clock. It is a good practice to feed larger meals when cats are the most active and energetic. Cats are usually more active in the morning and at night, so ideally, the largest meal should be served first thing in the morning and then again at bedtime. Feed leftovers from dinner if there are any. Consistency is critical. Cats are more relaxed knowing they eat at the same times every day. In general, they should be kept at their ideal body weight or else they’ll be overweight or obese. Cats that tend to be overweight should be fed no more than their ideal amount. All dry foods are very calorie-dense, so the calories from these foods must be held to a minimum if you prefer feeding dry foods. Any of these recommended portions can be fed in puzzles, which are a fun and exciting way for your pet to obtain their daily calories while simultaneously offering mental stimulation, as well as preventing eating too rapidly. For those of you interested in feeding canned or wet food, if less than a quarter can is required, these can be purchased to keep feeding simple.

8.3. Water Intake

It is extremely important to keep your cat drinking plenty of water to keep them hydrated and maintain urinary tract health. Cats are not naturally programmed to drink. Many cats require fresh water and generally good health to maintain. Because of this, we have seen a correlation between cats that have been on dry kibble all or most of their lives and the most common health problem in cats, urinary tract issues. While a cat’s unique body makes them prone to urine crystals and stones in the bladder, it is still crucial to the cat’s health and well-being to provide them with fresh, clean water at all times. Wet food does count for some of the daily water requirement. The moisture that a cat would otherwise only get from eating prey in the wild is not a part of the daily dry kibble diet. Dry cat foods tend to contain less than 10% moisture compared to wet cat foods, which can have up to 78% water. It has been regarded as common knowledge in the veterinary field that feeding a high moisture diet is a great way to maintain hydration levels. One of the secrets to the powerful hydration of wet food is the addition of broth. You can sometimes leave a bowl of kibble out when you have a cat that picks at their food, but no wet food should be left out due to spoiling and fermenting. Make sure the water is kept in multiple drinking stations. Cats will not drink from the same source as a litter box. Some cats are more fastidious than others. Water fountains will encourage the more finicky cat to drink water, ensuring they get enough daily fluid. An added bonus is that the lack of stagnation in moving water serves as an encouragement for cats to drink more.

9. Special Dietary Considerations

No two cats are the same, so not all felines will require the same diet. Some cats may have different health issues that could necessitate dietary alterations. Here are some things to consider when deciding on the best diet for your cat. You should always talk to your veterinarian for guidance during any dietary adjustment.Special Dietary Considerations• Weight Management: Cats that are overweight may need a special type of diet that is low calorie, high in fiber, and high in protein to ensure that they still receive all the nutrients they need for health while also being able to lose weight. • Allergies or Sensitivities: Cats can develop food allergies in a similar way to dogs, even if they are on the same diet they were raised on all their lives. By slowly monitoring results and changing proteins, you can determine which proteins your cat is sensitive to, such as chicken or fish. Your vet may prescribe a specific novel protein to try if your cat does not show progress with other proteins. • Senior Requirements: Older cats have different nutritional requirements compared to younger cats, such as extra calories for a potentially slower metabolism, an increase in certain vitamins and minerals, and a decrease in others. To improve their quality of life, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your pet’s specific situation. Overall, the dietary considerations for a cat need to encompass either a canned, dry, or combination of cat food that focuses on the individual animal. Behavioral issues, as well as many diseases, can be managed or sometimes even resolved by modifying a cat’s diet. Some of these health issues include urinary problems, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Professional input is recommended before making large adjustments in a cat’s diet.

9.1. Weight Management

Maintaining a lifelong healthy weight can help your cat avoid many diseases, including diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Overweight cats may have decreased lifespans. Unfortunately, obesity has become increasingly common in our feline friends. Safe and effective weight reduction involves making changes that result in a slow and steady loss. Aiming to shed a pound a month is usually safe for cats. Talk to your family about how you will all help your cat lose weight before beginning any diet plan. Many cats do not show any outward sickness for years, even when they have a serious problem. Regular weigh-ins can help you decide if your pet’s efforts are paying off. If you are concerned about your cat’s weight, talk to your veterinary team before starting a diet plan. When the number of obese animals began to increase, the veterinary profession started to research weight management in pets. Common practices were compared with scientific studies to identify the best weight loss strategies. People can unknowingly overfeed pets when they feed them freely. As a result, home feeding practices are now recognized as one of the key factors for successful weight loss in pets. A calorie content equal to about 0.8 to 0.9 times the cat’s resting energy needs has been found to be suitable for helping cats gradually lose body fat. Diet changes should be made slowly to help reduce opposition. Owners should weigh the amount of food they give their pet rather than calculating the volume of food. This reduces the risk of feeding a higher food portion than intended. Special cat diets intended for weight loss can more easily achieve weight loss than regular diets.

9.2. Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Food allergies, while less common than other allergies, affect up to 1% of cats. However, the prevalence of food allergies may be higher in cats with a chronic condition, such as a skin or ear disorder. The clinical signs associated with food allergies are usually consistent with a chronic allergic skin condition and are typically non-seasonal (e.g., itching around the head and neck; ear infections; facial ulcers, and skin infection). Many food-allergic cats will also display chronic digestive signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gas, while others will develop behavior and urination issues including aggression, anti-social behavior, over-grooming, and inappropriate urination. While any cat can develop a food allergy, young to middle-aged cats are thought to be more at risk.Food allergies should be managed by identifying the offending allergen and permanently eliminating it from the cat’s diet. The veterinarian will diagnose a food allergy based on a detailed medical history, clinical signs, ruling out other possible causes of the symptoms, and response to a strict hypoallergenic elimination diet fed under veterinary supervision. Most offending allergens are protein in nature, with beef, dairy products, and fish being the most likely culprits. Other allergy-causing food proteins include other meats, grains, and legumes, and food preservatives. There are, however, only a few controlled studies examining food allergens in cats. To diagnose food allergies, the veterinarian will often suggest an elimination diet to identify the allergen(s). As such, it is important that veterinarians and pet owners have an understanding of the potential causes of adverse food reactions in order to make an accurate diagnosis and manage dietary allergies effectively.

9.3. Senior Cat Nutrition

Just like humans, the dietary requirements of cats change as they age. Cats are considered to be geriatric around the age of 12 years. Senior cats have changing requirements in the following areas: A slowing of metabolism that requires a decrease in calories. A decrease in activity levels that requires even fewer calories. Medical conditions that may require a modification of the diet. Oftentimes, older cats begin to have dental problems or gastrointestinal problems that require them to be on a substantially modified diet. Sometimes, a diet that is easily digested is helpful, while other times a diet low in fat is more beneficial. Weight management is important for older cats as they generally do not get as much exercise as their younger companions. An easy guideline for nutrition for the senior cat is to feed a pet a diet that has fewer calories, but make sure it has enough protein and essential nutrients. Producing cat food that meets these needs can be challenging, so being sure your cat is getting the best feline nutrition is important. Promoting dental health is important for senior cats by feeding them dry cat food, which helps to wash away food and bacteria from the teeth and gums. A complete physical exam, blood work, urine, and weight check that you have done every 6 months to a year can help you to make sure you are doing the most for your senior cat. Consult with your veterinarian on health care modifications, the right diet, and individual suggestions for your pet. It is also possible that your senior cat may be started on a special diet at this time, so be sure to ask your veterinarian for input. Make it easier for your pet to eat by making sure its food, water, and litter box are all within close proximity. With a healthy diet, mental and physical health care, and love, your cat can live a long and satisfying life.

References:

Laflamme, D. P., 2020. Understanding the nutritional needs of healthy cats and those with diet-sensitive conditions. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice. [HTML]

Churchill, J.A. and Eirmann, L., 2021. Senior pet nutrition and management. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 51(3), pp.635-651. [HTML]

Summers, S.C., Stockman, J., Larsen, J.A., Sanchez Rodriguez, A. and Zhang, L., 2020. Evaluation of nutrient content and caloric density in commercially available foods formulated for senior cats. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 34(5), pp.2029-2035. wiley.comWoods-Lee, G., 2023. Senior nutritional requirements for cats and dogs. The Veterinary Nurse. [HTML]

Daina, S. & Macri, A. M., 2023. Nutrient content and caloric density assessment of different types of senior commercial cat food. iuls.ro

Stockman, J., 2024. Nutrition and aging in dogs and cats. Nutrition and Metabolism of Dogs and Cats. researchgate.net