Every cat lover wants their furry friend to lead a long, healthy, happy and active life. It’s important to make sure your cat’s diet has the right balance of the five major nutrient groups: protein, fats & oils, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.
As obligate carnivores, felines rely on protein as their main source of energy, and need higher levels of protein in their diet than dogs which means they can never be vegetarian or vegan. Meat provides three essential nutrients that cats can’t live without: taurine (for heart and vision), arachidonic acid (for skin and coat health) and Vitamin A (for coat and vision).
What can cats eat to stay healthy? Keep reading to find out all the essential elements that make up their diet and how much to feed your cat.
The Basics
As mentioned earlier, cats need the correct balance of all essential nutrients. Good-quality cat food should be delicious and packed with all the nutrients felines need to thrive. For the best diet, make sure your cat is getting all the following:
Water is essential for all living beings, and your cat is no different. Even though cats were originally desert animals, they can end up with bladder problems and cystitis if they don’t drink enough water. Make sure your cat can access plenty of clean, fresh drinking water from a bowl or fountain throughout the day and night.
Some cats love to drink water from unusual sources like dripping taps or shower trays, but those should never replace constant fresh, clean water. Their water bowl should be placed a little distance away from their food bowl wherever possible and well away from their litter tray. If you notice that your cat has suddenly started drinking from unusual places, it may mean it has a medical condition that’s causing excessive thirst so it’s worth discussing this with your vet.
Cats use protein from amino acids as their main source of energy. A complete diet should provide your cat with all the essential amino acids it needs to boost its immunity and maintain healthy muscle, skin and fur. If your cat doesn’t get enough protein, they can end up with poor growth, loss of muscle, poor coat condition and increased risk of infection through a poor immune system.
Fatty acids provide fuel to keep your cat active as well as insulation and protection of their internal organs. Essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 are vital for keeping your cat’s skin and coat healthy. Without them, your cat could develop poor skin and coat condition.
Although carbohydrates (starch and fiber) are not an essential part of your cat’s diet, they do provide a readily available energy source. Prebiotics (soluble fibers) also help maintain a healthy gut by promoting good bacteria while insoluble fibers promote normal intestinal function and a good stool quality.
Minerals like calcium and phosphorous are essential for strong, healthy teeth and bones so your cat’s diet needs to include the right quantities, particularly if it’s pregnant and growing kittens!
Sodium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and iron are also important minerals in cats’ diets. Balance is very important; too much of one mineral can lead to a deficiency in another.
Cat vitamins are needed in small amounts to promote your cat’s growth, normal vision, healthy skin and coat, wound healing and a healthy nervous system. They’re involved in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Vitamins C and E are also important as antioxidants. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are stored in your cat’s fatty tissues, but water-soluble vitamins (B complex and C) are not stored in the body, but passed in your cat’s urine.
Wet food
The best wet cat food comes in cans, foil trays, or pouches. When feeding your cat wet food, always serve it at room temperature to allow your cat to get the most enjoyment from the textures and smells.
Once opened, cover any remaining portions and store them in the fridge for no more than 24 hours. Wet food shouldn’t sit around uneaten for more than an hour as it will become unappetizing and could attract bacteria, resulting in tummy upsets.
Dry food
Cat kibbles contain more concentrated with nutrients than moist foods, so you only need to serve small helpings. They also have a crunchy texture that can help keep your cat's teeth healthy.
No dog food
Despite their appearance, dry cat food and dry dog food are not the same; their diets are not interchangeable.
How do you change a cat’s food?
If you decide to change your cat’s food, introduce the new food gradually over a period of seven to ten days. It is best to put out two bowls— one with the old food and one with the new, so your cat can taste both.
Homemade cat food
The idea of preparing homemade cat food might sound like a labor of love, but unfortunately it isn’t recommended. It’s difficult to provide the best cat diet using cooked or raw foods as some ingredients have very high or low quantities of essential nutrients.
Raw meat can also contain parasites and bacteria, such as Salmonella, which can make your cat ill. Avoid serving homemade raw diet and food which contain bones in it as these can splinter and even lodge in your cat’s intestine.
Do cats need food supplements?
Healthy cats that are fed a complete, balanced diet don’t need any supplements. In fact, the addition of supplements could unbalance their nutrition and cause problems.
That said, some cats have special nutritional needs (e.g. for growth, certain medical conditions or during pregnancy) and cat food diets are available that are formulated for those specific needs. If in doubt, have a chat with your vet.
How much to feed a cat?
If you’re wondering how much to feed a cat, you’ll need to consider their breed, activity and lifestyle. You can start by following the feeding guidelines on the pack as these contain dietary information. The actual amount needed will vary from cat to cat depending on things such as their size or activity level. Monitor your cat’s condition regularly with our tool and use this as a basis to adjust the amount of food you feed your cat.
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