Have you become a cat owner and are wondering what your cat should eat? Cats' diet should consist of nutritious food and a balanced diet. Just as with us humans, eating habits play an important role for a healthy and happy life. But what does this actually mean for puss? We answer what cats eat!
Table of contents
Necessary sustenance for fur-clad hunters
Cats are basically carnivores and are descended from some of the largest predators of the savannah. Although your cat may resemble a cuddly toy more than a lion, your cat still relies on animal proteins and fats as well as carbohydrates for energy. This is true in general – but there are also a number of individual factors that affect each cat’s needs.
Factors affecting the cat's nutritional needs
Age and lifestyle are two important factors that affect how much energy your cat burns during the day – and therefore how much food your cat needs. Of course, activity level also plays a role – just like with us humans.
Age
Kittens, for example, need to eat frequently – so they get the necessary nutrition they need to grow and develop. At the same time, kittens have a weaker digestive system than adult cats. By choosing food that is specifically designed for kittens, you ensure that your little bundle of joy gets what it needs to stay healthy and happy!
Castration
Neutering also greatly affects how much food your cat needs. After neutering, it is common for a cat's appetite to increase by up to 26% – while energy expenditure decreases by up to 30%. In other words, it is extra important to pay attention to feeding habits immediately after neutering to avoid overweightWe recommend choosing a type of food that is adapted to neutered cats – as this makes it much easier to keep their weight under control.
Are you, however, interested in what to do if your cat has poor appetite, you can read more about it here.
Pregnancy
Pregnant female cats need extra nutrition. After all, it takes a lot of energy to produce a litter of kittens. Towards the end of pregnancy, energy consumption can actually increase by up to 70%. Food specially developed for pregnant cats is therefore optimal.
Are you unsure of what factors affect your cat? We are happy to help you with a mapping of nutritional needs and personal dietary guidance! You can easily book an appointment for a consultation with our skilled veterinarians at A-Vet Smådyrklinikk here. And to answer your question – what do cats eat – you can say that cats eat animal proteins, fats and carbohydrates for energy.
What do cats eat: different types of food
Dry food
What type of food is the best match for your cat will be individual. Dry food is still a good starting point in most cat diets and is also a practical alternative. It is important to note that the dry food is of good quality to provide enough of the important nutrients. In addition, dry food is also beneficial for the cat's dental health and helps prevent tartar, among other things. In our online store, you can easily click home vet-approved and nutritious dry food!
Wet food
Many people like to supplement with wet food – which also has its advantages. For example, for cats that do not get enough water on their own, wet food is great. Here, the liquid content is high and can be up to 75% water. At the same time, wet food is often more flavorful than dry food (i.e. a delicious man's meal that most cats appreciate). Perfect as a reward or extra cuddle! Feel free to check out our wide selection of wet food that your kitty is sure to love.
Human food and leftovers
Some human foods such as meat and fish are fine for cats to eat. However, it is difficult to know how much nutrition your cat is getting when you serve something other than cat food. It can also be a very picky eater. A kitty cat that refuses to eat anything other than cod fillet is not very good – neither for your wallet nor for the cat's health. In addition, there are many human foods and spices that cats cannot tolerate. Some foods, such as onions, raisins and chocolate, are actually downright dangerous.
How much food should a cat have? Portion sizes and frequency
To keep weight under control and prevent overfeeding, it is important to keep portion sizes in mind. Exactly how much food a cat should have depends on whether it eats only dry food or whether it is supplemented with wet food. For weight control, it is optimal to feed several small portions rather than larger portions.
How much dry food your cat should have in a day depends on its size and type of food. The food manufacturer usually states the recommended amount on the packaging – so you can easily measure it into the bowl using a kitchen scale. Note that these guidelines exclude wet food and treats – so if your cat is getting these as well, you may need to adjust the amount of dry food. Many treats can quickly contribute to increasing the total calorie intake considerably – so moderation is the key word here. The recommended maximum intake in a day is often stated on the candy packaging.
