Just like humans, cats need the right food to grow strong and live healthy. When choosing food for your cat, you’ll want to consider several factors so that you know that you’re making the best choice for your feline friend. Here are four tips that can help you find the best food for your cat.
Dry vs Wet
Both dry and wet cat food have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry cat food has a longer shelf-life and is usually not as messy or odorous as wet food. However, dry cat food sometimes has more carbohydrates, which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain for your cat when eaten in excess. Wet cat food typically has more protein and fat, which may be good for your particular cat’s diet. Wet food also provides extra fluid that can help keep your cat from becoming dehydrated.
Get Food That’s Age-Appropriate
Kittens, adult cats and senior cats have different dietary needs, and you’ll want to choose a food that’s suitable for your cat’s age. The extra protein and fat that are often found in kitten food can give your young feline the energy that’s needed to play and stay active. You’ll want to find food that has less calories for an adult cat that’s usually less active than a kitten so that you don’t cause excessive weight gain. There are senior cat foods available that allow easier chewing and can be more appealing to older cats that have lost some of their ability to taste and smell.
Choose Natural Ingredients
Food that has a lot of synthetic ingredients may not be the best choice for your cat, and purchasing food that’s made with more natural ingredients can help ensure better health. Organic pet food that’s made with free-range meat, such as turkey or chicken, can give your cat a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals without the extra chemicals. Cat foods that contain cranberry, flaxseed and other natural superfoods can also be good for your cat.
Consider Grain-Free
Your cat may or may not need grain-free food, and this will depend on your pet’s specific dietary requirements and whether or not they are allergic to grain. Signs that your cat may be allergic to grain include excessive itchiness, skin inflammation and bald patches, and you should look for these symptoms after your cat has eaten any food with the ingredient. In some cases, grain can additionally cause upset stomachs in cats. Your vet can also help you decide if a grain-free diet is right for your cat.
You can make your feline friend healthier and happier by choosing the right type of cat food. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have an easier time making the best selection.
Just like humans, cats need the right food to grow strong and live healthy. When choosing food for your cat, you’ll want to consider several factors so that you know that you’re making the best choice for your feline friend. Here are four tips that can help you find the best food for your cat.
Dry vs Wet
Both dry and wet cat food have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry cat food has a longer shelf-life and is usually not as messy or odorous as wet food. However, dry cat food sometimes has more carbohydrates, which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain for your cat when eaten in excess. Wet cat food typically has more protein and fat, which may be good for your particular cat’s diet. Wet food also provides extra fluid that can help keep your cat from becoming dehydrated.
Get Food That’s Age-Appropriate
Kittens, adult cats and senior cats have different dietary needs, and you’ll want to choose a food that’s suitable for your cat’s age. The extra protein and fat that are often found in kitten food can give your young feline the energy that’s needed to play and stay active. You’ll want to find food that has less calories for an adult cat that’s usually less active than a kitten so that you don’t cause excessive weight gain. There are senior cat foods available that allow easier chewing and can be more appealing to older cats that have lost some of their ability to taste and smell.
Choose Natural Ingredients
Food that has a lot of synthetic ingredients may not be the best choice for your cat, and purchasing food that’s made with more natural ingredients can help ensure better health. Organic pet food that’s made with free-range meat, such as turkey or chicken, can give your cat a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals without the extra chemicals. Cat foods that contain cranberry, flaxseed and other natural superfoods can also be good for your cat.
Consider Grain-Free
Your cat may or may not need grain-free food, and this will depend on your pet’s specific dietary requirements and whether or not they are allergic to grain. Signs that your cat may be allergic to grain include excessive itchiness, skin inflammation and bald patches, and you should look for these symptoms after your cat has eaten any food with the ingredient. In some cases, grain can additionally cause upset stomachs in cats. Your vet can also help you decide if a grain-free diet is right for your cat.
You can make your feline friend healthier and happier by choosing the right type of cat food. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have an easier time making the best selection.
Just like humans, cats need the right food to grow strong and live healthy. When choosing food for your cat, you’ll want to consider several factors so that you know that you’re making the best choice for your feline friend. Here are four tips that can help you find the best food for your cat.
Dry vs Wet
Both dry and wet cat food have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry cat food has a longer shelf-life and is usually not as messy or odorous as wet food. However, dry cat food sometimes has more carbohydrates, which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain for your cat when eaten in excess. Wet cat food typically has more protein and fat, which may be good for your particular cat’s diet. Wet food also provides extra fluid that can help keep your cat from becoming dehydrated.
Get Food That’s Age-Appropriate
Kittens, adult cats and senior cats have different dietary needs, and you’ll want to choose a food that’s suitable for your cat’s age. The extra protein and fat that are often found in kitten food can give your young feline the energy that’s needed to play and stay active. You’ll want to find food that has less calories for an adult cat that’s usually less active than a kitten so that you don’t cause excessive weight gain. There are senior cat foods available that allow easier chewing and can be more appealing to older cats that have lost some of their ability to taste and smell.
Choose Natural Ingredients
Food that has a lot of synthetic ingredients may not be the best choice for your cat, and purchasing food that’s made with more natural ingredients can help ensure better health. Organic pet food that’s made with free-range meat, such as turkey or chicken, can give your cat a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals without the extra chemicals. Cat foods that contain cranberry, flaxseed and other natural superfoods can also be good for your cat.
Consider Grain-Free
Your cat may or may not need grain-free food, and this will depend on your pet’s specific dietary requirements and whether or not they are allergic to grain. Signs that your cat may be allergic to grain include excessive itchiness, skin inflammation and bald patches, and you should look for these symptoms after your cat has eaten any food with the ingredient. In some cases, grain can additionally cause upset stomachs in cats. Your vet can also help you decide if a grain-free diet is right for your cat.
You can make your feline friend healthier and happier by choosing the right type of cat food. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have an easier time making the best selection.
Just like humans, cats need the right food to grow strong and live healthy. When choosing food for your cat, you’ll want to consider several factors so that you know that you’re making the best choice for your feline friend. Here are four tips that can help you find the best food for your cat.
Dry vs Wet
Both dry and wet cat food have their advantages and disadvantages. Dry cat food has a longer shelf-life and is usually not as messy or odorous as wet food. However, dry cat food sometimes has more carbohydrates, which can contribute to unhealthy weight gain for your cat when eaten in excess. Wet cat food typically has more protein and fat, which may be good for your particular cat’s diet. Wet food also provides extra fluid that can help keep your cat from becoming dehydrated.
Get Food That’s Age-Appropriate
Kittens, adult cats and senior cats have different dietary needs, and you’ll want to choose a food that’s suitable for your cat’s age. The extra protein and fat that are often found in kitten food can give your young feline the energy that’s needed to play and stay active. You’ll want to find food that has less calories for an adult cat that’s usually less active than a kitten so that you don’t cause excessive weight gain. There are senior cat foods available that allow easier chewing and can be more appealing to older cats that have lost some of their ability to taste and smell.
Choose Natural Ingredients
Food that has a lot of synthetic ingredients may not be the best choice for your cat, and purchasing food that’s made with more natural ingredients can help ensure better health. Organic pet food that’s made with free-range meat, such as turkey or chicken, can give your cat a healthy dose of essential vitamins and minerals without the extra chemicals. Cat foods that contain cranberry, flaxseed and other natural superfoods can also be good for your cat.
Consider Grain-Free
Your cat may or may not need grain-free food, and this will depend on your pet’s specific dietary requirements and whether or not they are allergic to grain. Signs that your cat may be allergic to grain include excessive itchiness, skin inflammation and bald patches, and you should look for these symptoms after your cat has eaten any food with the ingredient. In some cases, grain can additionally cause upset stomachs in cats. Your vet can also help you decide if a grain-free diet is right for your cat.
You can make your feline friend healthier and happier by choosing the right type of cat food. By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have an easier time making the best selection.
About the Author:
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball. You can find her on Twitter @LizzieWeakley.
