Cat Food

The cat food you choose and how much you feed your cat will depend on a number of factors, such as:

• Life stage
• Activity levels
• Recommendations from your veterinarian
• Price
• Palatability

Taking all of these factors into consideration, the ultimate goal is to ensure that your cat food, whether commercial or homemade, meets the nutritional needs of your particular cat.

Rules for Feeding Your Cat

• Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity leads to other health problems.
• Read the label. You want to ensure that the product meets the nutritional requirements, and that the overall diet is suitable for your pet.
• Provide meat and variety in your cat's diet. Cats are carnivores, but they still require other nutrients not provided in a purely meat diet.
• Choose a cat food that has a high moisture content and very low carbohydrates. Cats are carnivores!
• Never feed processed dog food to your cat. Each has unique nutritional needs.
• If feeding a commercial diet, limit total supplements to no more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat's total daily intake. Supplementing with extra vitamins and minerals, cat treats and 'people-food' treats can upset the nutritional balance that your cat is getting from its regular cat food.
• Never feed your cat chocolate or onion. They are toxic and can cause serious health problems.
• Always have plenty of fresh water available. Water is essential to all of us!