Cat Food For Senior Cats Needs More Fiber
Something beneficial that you can add more of in your older cats diet is fiber. Fiber has many benefits and can keep your aging cat acting more like his youthful self. You might want to take a look at our guide to the best high fiber cat food for more choices of this type of food as well.
Fiber is a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can be found in a variety of foods. For younger cats, they would traditionally get fiber from the hair and bones of their prey. However, older cats do not receive fiber as much in this manner and require it through other sources of food.
Fiber can be very beneficial when included in your cats diet. For starters, fiber can prevent hairballs. We all know that hairballs are just a side effect of all the grooming cats do, but with more fiber, hairballs will move naturally through their digestive tract instead of building up until they need to regurgitate them.
Additional fiber can also greatly help reduce digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea.
The reason fiber is so beneficial in these areas is because it is indigestible.
Since your cat cant digest any fiber it consumes, it will move swiftly through their digestive system bringing anything else in their digestive tract with it.
So How Much Carbohydrate Matter Does A Cat Need
None. Carbohydrate concentrations between 1 and 10% wont harm your cat, but anything more is a threat to your cats health. Excess carbohydrates can lead to problems like obesity and digestive issues.
Now, finding foods with low carbohydrate content is trickier than it sounds. Unlike a jar of peanut butter or a loaf of bread, cat food labels dont tell you how many grams of carbohydrates are in each serving. They dont tell you anything about the carbohydrate content.
The best way to avoid high-carbohydrate foods is by looking for products that dont contain anything starchy. Read the ingredient list and rule out anything that contains potatoes, wheat, soy, peas, or other high-carbohydrate products.
If you want more details, you can contact the company and ask about carbohydrate content. Alternatively, use a carbohydrate calculator like this one to get a rough estimate.
Purina Pro Plan Critical Nutrition Cat Food Best For Weight Gain
Whilst the vast majority of cats are overweight, there are a few who need a helping hand with their weight gain. This is especially true of cats who have been ill, or who have recently been rescued. This food is high calorie at 208 kcal/5.5 oz can, meaning even cats who struggle to eat much should be able to get their daily calorie allowance. Its even been formulated with a smooth consistency in case syringe feeding becomes necessary.
Please note it is very important to follow your veterinarians advice when it comes to your cats weight. Most healthy adult cats do not need to gain any weight, but if youre not sure then your vet will be able to tell you whether theyre at an ideal weight or not, or you can read our guide below. If you think your cat is losing weight you should also take them in for a check over, as many medical conditions can contribute to weight loss, and simply feeding more will not correct the problem.
Wherever Ive worked as a vet, we always have this on the shelf or in the back office. Not only is it ideal for inpatients being fed after surgery but its ideal for cats presented with vomiting and diarrhea, as it is easy to digest.
- Stew texture can result in pickiness
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Which Is The Best Cat Food For Outdoor Cats
Hills Science Diet Dry Cat Food and Purina White Meat Chicken Dry Food for Outdoor Cats are considered the best food for outdoor cats in the market.
Ingredients are included in the formulation of these outdoor cat food products to ensure that it supports the proper functioning of the immunity and digestive system. It also provides high protein to boost your active feline pal energy level.
Is Raw Cat Food Better Than Other Cat Food
Nutritionally inadequate cat foods are widely available, and this is true for both processed cat food and raw cat food diets.
Many of the benefits that are often ascribed to feeding cats a raw diet could be gained simply by switching to any higher-quality, more biologically appropriate cat food.
Here are some factors to consider and how different diets stack up.
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So What Food Is Best For Your Cat
In the big picture, the best cat food is the one that meets your kittys nutritional needs and that keeps her taste buds happy.
As you probably know, opinions differ widely on pet nutrition. Some veterinarians will recommend feeding a strict raw diet while others suggest a mix of canned and dry foods.
What will work best for your cat depends on your cats age, lifestyle, and health, as well as whats convenient for you. For example, dry kibble is the most convenient pet food for obvious reasons, yet its also the highest in carbohydrates which may not be good for your aging cat.
Best Indoor Cat Food Formulas Reviewed
There are many brands and types of food for indoor cats. With so many choices, it can be hard to pick the right one for your feline friend. To make things easy, we have selected and reviewed the best cat food for indoor cats.
Summary: Smalls is a cat food subscription service company that opens with a one-minute survey to determine your cats needs. From there, they recommend a cat food option that is made fresh with fresh human-grade ingredients or freeze-dried raw and shipped right to your door, making this one of the best cat food brands. It satisfies the cats nutritional needs, prevents obesity, and has excellent moisture content. Plus, based on the needs, it can be made as cat or kitten food.
Type: Fresh and freeze-dried raw
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $9/11.5 oz unit
- Safe, for kittens, adults, and senior cats
Cons
- It is more expensive than other options on the list
Ingredient Analysis: The ingredients are sustainably sourced from the United States and Canada to ensure premium grade products with each order. Ingredients like chicken thigh, chicken breast and liver, green beans and peas, and only enough water to be sufficient for the production process make this one of the best and cleanest sources of nutrition for your cat on the market today.
Type: Dry cat formula
Best for: Cats of all life stages
Price: $7.99/lb
- Boosts energy levels and improves digestion
Cons
- Rich in carbohydrates and calories
Review:
Cons
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Why Is My Cat’s Diet Important
Feeding your cat the correct food is really important for their health. Just like us, your cat needs to eat a balanced diet each day to give them energy and nutrients.
There are certain nutrients that cats are unable to make in their own bodies like we do, so the right diet will provide them with everything they need. These include amino acids called Taurine and Arginine, essential building blocks for protein in the body, which can only be found in animal meat as well as certain vitamins. Because of this, cats are classed as obligate carnivores, meaning that they are strictly meat eaters. If your cat isnt fed a diet that contains these meat-based nutrients, they could become extremely ill. Taurine deficiency can cause life-threatening heart problems and eye issues that can lead to blindness.
Feeding your cat the correct amount of a high quality, complete cat food and keeping a close eye on your cat’s diet can also help them stay at the ideal weight. Obesity is a growing problem for the UK’s pets, and overweight or obese cats are at risk of serious health problems including diabetes and arthritis. Regularly weighing your cat will help you spot quickly if they’re putting on any weight, so you can adjust their diet as needed.
Feeding Recommendations From Your Local Veterinarian
Canned food only is my first choice. For an adult cat, start with ½ of a 5.5 oz. can twice daily and no additional food. This is the starting point and likely will need to be adjusted downward.
For little cats, a half of a 3 oz. can twice daily may work better. This amount is also cat-specific and often needs adjusting up or down. Feeding canned food seems to create the best balance between calories and feeling full, and the meal seems to tide the cat over better than a dry food meal.
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Great For Nursing Cats And Kittens: Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition Mother & Babycat Canned Wet Cat Food From $24
Both mother cats and baby kittens need food formulated with their special needs in mind. This wet cat food is made with chicken and a blend of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids like Docosahexaenoic acid , the latter of which is naturally found in breast milk and could boost your kittenâs cognitive development. Each can also contains a mix of highly digestible proteins and prebiotics that will be gentle on their changing systems. The texture itself is a bit softer than typical paté, too Royal Canin compares it to a fluffy mousse and claims it can help newborn kittens transition from milk to solid food with greater ease.
Ziwi Peak Canned Cat Food
Ziwi Peak provides multiple recipes, all fortified with New Zealand green-lipped mussels for a natural source of chondroitin and glucosamine. Though it is expensive, cats love the taste, and the health benefits are huge too. High-quality ingredients help to keep the vet away and your feline feeling fine.
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How To Feed Your Cat So It Stops Begging And Starts Losing Weight
Cats receiving an adequate number of calories per day will be hungry . So feeding a cat until it is full is almost always overfeeding unless it is an actively growing kitten under eight months of age.
Naturally, cats eat multiple small meals a day by hunting and eating what they catch. Having a bowl of dry food available allows multiple small meals of a high caloric feed with no effort on the cats part, this is a recipe for weight gain.
Even The Best Dry Cat Food Isnt The Ideal Diet For Your Cat
While even the worst wet cat food manages to give your cat plenty of moisture, all dry food is moisture-deficient. Compared to those who eat a high-moisture diet, cats who eat dry food are at an increased risk of chronic dehydration and urinary tract disease.
Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, makes it clear that cats live in a constant state of dehydration and do not drink enough to adequately hydrate themselves. To prolong the life of their kidneys, cats need wet food. Most kibble is too high in carbohydrates to be a good choice for cats.
Furthermore, almost all kibble has more starch than your cat needs. If you have to give your cat dry food, here are a few tips to help you do it better.
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Buy Food In Smaller Quantities
Those 30 and 40-pound bags of dry kibble, or entire flats of cat food, may be enticing budget-wise, but theyre really intended for homes with multiple kitties. Aim for buying in quantities that can be used up in less than a months time, and ideally within three weeks. Find out the things you do that your cat secretly hates.
Do Cats Need To Eat Wet Food
Cats do not need wet food. They can have their nutritional needs met with either wet or dry food. What is most important is that the food meets the minimum AAFCO nutrient requirements for a cat’s life stage .
That being said, wet food can be beneficial for cats. It has a high moisture content, making it easy for cats to stay well hydrated even if they don’t feel like drinking a lot of water. Wet food also has a soft texture that is ideal for recently weaned kittens and older cats with dental disease. Wet foods are often packed with flavor, which can entice even the pickiest of eaters.
Although feeding wet food is often a personal choice rather than a nutritional one, you can always talk to your veterinarian if you are unsure about whether to feed your cat wet food, dry food, or a combination of both.
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Best Dry Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, overweight and middle-aged cats are more prone to have urinary tract disease. There are recipes for healthy cats that can help minimize the risk of developing urinary problems. Dr. Bernals best dry food for cats urinary health is Wellness CORE Adult grain-free recipe . It supports a naturally acidic urinary pH with a higher proportion of animal-based proteins. The recipe includes cranberries as a key ingredient alongside lower amounts of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus to help prevent the development of mineral plugs or stones in the urinary tract. If your cat is using the litter box more than usual, consult with your vet, it could be a subtle sign theyre not feeling well.
Human Foods That Are Safe For Cats
Searching for a healthy snack for your cat? Fortunately, you dont have to look much further than your own pantry for some cat-safe foods to feed your pet. And once you find out what human foods your feline friend can eat, you can start getting creative by making your kitty delicious DIY cat treats.
Read on to discover which feline-friendly human foods are expert-recommended, so you can start feeding your cat like every other family member.
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Best Dry Food For Indoor
If your cat isnt allowed past the front door, Dr. VanDuzer often recommends Iams Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care Dry cat food . Indoor only cats often have weight issues and this formula helps control weight. This formula also decreases vomiting due to hairballs with the addition of beet pulp, a natural laxative that doesnt cause diarrhea. Indoor only cats tend to develop hairballs more often than their outdoor counterparts. Longer hair that sheds in the spring, over-grooming, digestion dysfunction or deficiencies in the diet are some causes. Find out the reason why your cat is afraid of cucumbers.
How Much Is Cat Food
Cat food costs range quite a bit depending on the brand and type of food that you decide to feed your cat. Pet owners can expect to pay, on average, anywhere from $120 to $800 per year on cat food.
Dry cat food in 5- to 10-pound bags tends to range between $8 and $60 per bag, while bags over 20 pounds range from $15 to $80 per bag. Wet cat food tends to range from $6 to just over $100 per case, depending on the size and quantities of the cans. Fresh, freeze-dried, or raw cat food delivery services tend to be more expensive than purchasing dry kibble or cans of wet food.
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Cat Food Storage Tips
Its important to take all the proper precautions to store your cats food appropriately to ensure freshness and avoid potential contamination or spoiling. Follow manufacturer recommended storage instructions, which can be found on the food packaging, and use or throw away food by the best by date.
Dry foods obviously have a longer shelf life than canned or fresh foods and should be kept in a cool, dry, airtight container and opened canned diets not consumed should be refrigerated, says Machell.
Always keep the original cat food packaging, even if you store the food in a different container. This will help you check your cats food against any cat food recalls should they arise.
Human Foods That Should Be Given With Caution
Avocado
Avocados pit, skin, and leaves contain persin which causes poisoning in some animals such as rabbits, goats, and birds. Even though theres no clear evidence that avocados are poisonous to cats, it might be better to stay on the safe side and not feed it too often to your kitty. The avocado flesh, which can be given in very small amounts, is also quite high in fat.
Peaches
You can safely feed a small amount of peeled peach but too much of it might cause stomach upset and diarrhea due to its high sugar content and because its difficult to digest. Be sure to remove the pit as it contains small amounts of cyanide and can present a serious choking hazard.
Potatoes
Many cats like the taste of potatoes and some cat food manufacturers even add these veggies to their products. Potatoes are rich in Vitamins B and C, as well as potassium. However, raw potatoes contain solanine, a toxin that can be very dangerous for your feline friend. The good news is, solanine disappears while cooking, so you can safely feed moderate amounts of peeled and cooked potatoes. Avoid feeding fried potatoes due to the high-fat content and be sure to serve them plain.
Spinach
If your pet has kidney issues or digestive tract problems, spinach should be avoided altogether. This is because it contains calcium oxalates that can cause stone formation in the urinary tracts.
However, healthy cats can safely consume small quantities of this green leafy veggie which is packed with vitamins and minerals.
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