Have you become a cat owner and are wondering what your cat should eat? Cats' diets should consist of nutritious food and a balanced diet. Just like humans, eating habits play an important role in a healthy and happy life. But what does this actually mean for cats? We answer what cats eat!
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 thus how much food it needs. Activity level also plays a role, just like with us humans.
Age
Kittens, for example, need to eat often, so that 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 has been specially developed for kittens, you ensure that the little skein gets what it needs to be 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 percent, while energy expenditure decreases by up to 30 percent. In other words, it is extra important to pay attention to feeding habits immediately after neutering to avoid overweight. We recommend choosing a type of feed that is suitable for neutered cats, as this makes it much easier to keep 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, or gravid, female cats need extra nutrition. After all, it takes a lot of energy to produce a litter of kittens. In fact, towards the end of pregnancy, energy expenditure can increase by up to 70 percent. Food specifically 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 percent 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 cat 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. In addition, it can risk becoming very picky. A cat that refuses to eat anything other than cod fillet is not very good, neither for the wallet nor the cat's health. In addition, there are many human foods and spices that cats cannot tolerate. Certain 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 do not include 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.
