Does your feline pal sometimes act as though seeing the bottom of her bowl is a dire emergency? Does Fluffy act as though she’s starving and needs food right meow … even if she just ate? A proper diet is a crucial part of your pet’s care regimen, so it’s important to let proper guidance—rather than those cute meows—lead the way. A Marietta, GA vet offers some advice on this below.
Basics
Cats are carnivores by nature. In the wild, Fluffy survives solely off hunting, and always eats her prey fresh. Although your pet may never hunt anything more challenging than a moth or the occasional dust bunny, her diet should reflect that.
Generally, our feline friends need lots of protein, which should be meat-based. Protein alone won’t provide all the nutrition your furball needs, however. Kitties also need some fat in their diets, as well as vitamins, minerals, and both fatty and amino acids. Taurine is crucial to kitty diets. Carbohydrates? Not so much.
Feeding Habits
The exact amount and type of food Fluffy needs will depend on her age, health, environment, and lifestyle. Those needs change over time as well. A playful kitten will have different nutritional requirements than a senior couch potato. Similarly, cats who are ill, pregnant, nursing, or recuperating from illness or injury may need more nutrients to give their bodies the extra fuel it needs to recover. Temperature also plays a role. Cats that are allowed outdoors in winter also will need larger proportions, as they’ll burn more calories staying warm. (Note: we would advise against letting cats out in general, but that’s a different topic.) Ask your vet for specific advice, including tips on transitioning from one food to another.
Portion Sizes
This is one spot where even the most well-intentioned pet owners can stray a bit. Kitties are very skilled at meowpulating their owners. This is no doubt a big part of the reason that feline obesity rates are skyrocketing. Well over half of our furry buddies are obese or overweight! Serving sizes are very important here. Even giving Fluffy a few calories too many each day can make her gain weight. Don’t let your pet cajole you into overfeeding her! This applies to treats as well: they’re fine on occasion, but don’t overdo it.
Please contact us, your Marietta, GA animal clinic, with questions or concerns about your cat’s diet! We’re here to help!
