Thanks to mom I've adopted a healthy diet in my adult life. I always read the labels and I'm careful about not eating too many processed foods or artificial flavors and preservatives. I have a good understanding of what kinds of foods are healthy for me, but what is the best food for my cats? How can I be sure the food I'm buying my cats is healthy cat food? I tried looking at cat food labels, but I didn't know exactly what I should be looking for the way I did with my own food.
I'm a firm believer that nutrition is the foundation of health and I wanted good nutrition for my cats too. I want them to have a good quality of life, to be with me for a long time, and none of us are fans of unnecessary visits to the vet. Regular check ups are essential, of course, but by feeding them a healthy diet I hope to lower the risk of them contracting some of the common cat health problems that seem to occur all too often.
I decided it was time to start doing my research. The first thing that's important to understand is how a cats body works. Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they require a high percentage of protein for their systems to function appropriately. If they don't intake proper levels of taurine, a component found in meats, cats may be subject to an array of health problems that could include loss of vision. Because of this protein should be the main ingredient in a good cat food.
We may have domesticated them, but by nature they hunt their food and eat it raw. That sounds pretty unpleasant to us but it's natural for them. By nature they also have a low thirst drive because they were made to get some of their moisture in their food. Some cats that only eat dry foods aren't getting enough liquids, this can contribute to problems with feline urinary tract infections. It's important to add at least some moist food to your cat's diet. Moist food can include canned, raw or frozen. It's also important to encourage your cat to drink more by providing fresh, clean water. Keeping water in a couple areas of the house can help.
A good deal of people food is processed and has a lot of junk in it. The same thing is also true for cat food. By using fillers cat food manufacturers can produce cat food at a much lower cost, unfortunately cats don't always respond so well to these fillers. Many cats develop allergies, sensitive stomachs (meaning they may vomit too often for reasons other than trying to get rid of a hairball), or other cat health problems.
When looking for a healthy cat food make sure the first and main ingredient is a quality source of protein. In addition look for whole foods and grains like brown rice, peas or carrots, and quality fats like flax oil, chicken fat or even olive oil. It's best to avoid cat foods containing artificial preservatives and colors. Many cats are sensitive to these ingredients as well.
I've discovered I can save money and make life a little better for me and the kitties by spending more on quality cat foods. My nineteen and a half year old and ten year kitties have been my own living proof of that.
I'm a firm believer that nutrition is the foundation of health and I wanted good nutrition for my cats too. I want them to have a good quality of life, to be with me for a long time, and none of us are fans of unnecessary visits to the vet. Regular check ups are essential, of course, but by feeding them a healthy diet I hope to lower the risk of them contracting some of the common cat health problems that seem to occur all too often.
I decided it was time to start doing my research. The first thing that's important to understand is how a cats body works. Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they require a high percentage of protein for their systems to function appropriately. If they don't intake proper levels of taurine, a component found in meats, cats may be subject to an array of health problems that could include loss of vision. Because of this protein should be the main ingredient in a good cat food.
We may have domesticated them, but by nature they hunt their food and eat it raw. That sounds pretty unpleasant to us but it's natural for them. By nature they also have a low thirst drive because they were made to get some of their moisture in their food. Some cats that only eat dry foods aren't getting enough liquids, this can contribute to problems with feline urinary tract infections. It's important to add at least some moist food to your cat's diet. Moist food can include canned, raw or frozen. It's also important to encourage your cat to drink more by providing fresh, clean water. Keeping water in a couple areas of the house can help.
A good deal of people food is processed and has a lot of junk in it. The same thing is also true for cat food. By using fillers cat food manufacturers can produce cat food at a much lower cost, unfortunately cats don't always respond so well to these fillers. Many cats develop allergies, sensitive stomachs (meaning they may vomit too often for reasons other than trying to get rid of a hairball), or other cat health problems.
When looking for a healthy cat food make sure the first and main ingredient is a quality source of protein. In addition look for whole foods and grains like brown rice, peas or carrots, and quality fats like flax oil, chicken fat or even olive oil. It's best to avoid cat foods containing artificial preservatives and colors. Many cats are sensitive to these ingredients as well.
I've discovered I can save money and make life a little better for me and the kitties by spending more on quality cat foods. My nineteen and a half year old and ten year kitties have been my own living proof of that.
About the Author:
Emma loves kitties and she loves to feed them well. She's experimented with a lot of different ways to feed her beloved organic cat. Now you can glean wisdom from her experience with her site Wellness Catfood.
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