If we want to ensure a long and content life for our furry companions, it's essential to pay attention to their diet. Choosing the right food for your cat can be challenging, as many commercial foods aren't entirely ideal.
Here, we'll introduce you to the latest trends and principles in cat nutrition so you can feed your pet in a way that keeps them healthy and satisfied.
Healthy Feeding for Cats
A healthy diet is key to a happy life for your furry friend. Complete and high-quality cat food must contain a balanced mix of five main nutrients:
- Proteins: The primary energy source, cats require more protein than dogs.
- Fats: An important source of energy and essential fatty acids.
- Vitamins: Support the proper functioning of the body.
- Minerals: Essential for various bodily functions.
- Carbohydrates: Serve as an additional energy source.
Cats are carnivores, so their diet should include meat, which is rich in protein. Meat also contains three essential nutrients—vitamin A, taurine, and arachidonic acid—that are crucial for cats.
Feeding Cats with BARF Diet
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) feeding, which involves giving raw meat, is a way of feeding that most closely mimics a cat's natural diet in the wild. This trend includes serving raw meat, bones, and organs. The composition should be as follows:
- 80% muscle meat: chicken, turkey, duck, beef, rabbit, and game.
- 10% bones: meaty bones like chicken necks, wings, and carcasses.
- 10% organs: heart, liver, stomachs.
It's important to always serve bones raw, as cooked bones can harden and cause injuries. Meat is best served in the largest possible chunks to preserve the important nutrient taurine, which can be lost during grinding and freezing.
Holistic Cat Food
Holistic cat foods are designed to provide comprehensive nutritional value for cats. These foods are suitable not only for cats with food allergies but also for typical domestic cats that don't favor raw meat. They contain balanced ingredients and are ideal for cats with sensitive digestion, allergies, or digestive problems. These foods have a high meat content, are dietetic, easily digestible, and support optimal physical condition in cats. The main advantages of holistic cat food include:
- Meat as the main ingredient: Ensures sufficient protein intake.
- High digestibility: Better nutrient absorption.
- No preservatives: Reduces the risk of health issues.
Food allergies can occur at any age, with symptoms such as vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, hair loss, and excessive scratching. Holistic food can help reduce the risk of these issues due to its quality and comprehensive nutrition.
Don’t Forget Quality Treats for Cats
When choosing treats for our cats, we should be as careful as when selecting their main food. An ideal choice is freeze-dried treats, which offer several benefits:
- Made from 100% meat without added preservatives and chemicals—this ensures their high quality and safety.
- These treats retain all nutrients and natural flavor—they are not only healthy but also very tasty, appealing to even the pickiest cats.
- They are light and compact, making them easy to transport and store without losing quality.