Cat FoodCat food is one of the basic needs in a cat's life. When you go to pick up your kitty cat, ask the previous owner or pet store what food was being used. If you use the same food initially, you will be assured that the food will be accepted at meal time. Older cats in particular dislike changes in its' food. Using the same cat food will also help make the transition to kitten's new home one more familiar thing she can relate to.Because kittens have small stomachs, they should be fed 4 times a day. Once they reach 6 months you can change the meals to 2 times a day. Check the label on the side of the food for how much to feed your feline. Depending on size and weight of your cat the amounts will vary. Don't over feed your cat as an overweight cat can develop heart disease and feline diabetes.
There are basically two types of cat food to choose from - wet food and dry food. Whether you decide to use wet or dry food, try to vary the flavors (not brands) that you use as cats like variety. Wet food can be served in a saucer and dry food should be placed in a bowl. Pick a place that will give your cat some privacy when she is having her meals. Do not put kitty's feeding area near her litter box. Also
place some water near the food.
Cats that eat dry food will consume more water daily than those that are fed wet cat food. There really isn't much difference nutritionally between wet food and dry cat food. The canned (wet) food contains more liquid.
Dry Cat FoodThe advantages of using dry cat food are:- it's cheaper to buy - you have less waste / spoilage - it gives kitty's teeth and gums a good work out. - it is more concentrated so a cat doesn't need as much Wet Cat FoodThe advantages of using wet cat food are:- Wet food must be fresh or kitty may refuse to eat it. - Store opened cans of wet food in the refrigerator for a maximum of three days. - Wet food contains more liquid Cat TreatsIt is ok to use cat treats. They should not be used as part of the main meals. At most cat treats should make up less than 10% of your cat's daily food intake. We buy bags of cat treats so we could spoil Simba, our cat, in the evenings. We found a special can of cat treats that had a "meowing" lid when you lifted the lid off the can. After a few days, as soon as the "meowing" lid started he was right there waiting for his rewards / treats. We only gave him about a dozen of the cat treat kernels daily - out of our hands. Kids love it when they see a kitty eating out of your hand and are always willing to give it a try. If you do let them do this, make sure you supervise the cat and the children because if the hand is not perfectly flat, the child may get nipped as the kitten tries to retrieve the cat treat from the child's hand. As he gets his last treat we always say "last one" so Simba knows not to expect any more at this time. What to Look for When Buying Cat FoodBuy your cat food from reputable companies. Stick to the famous brand names at the supermarket or use the premium brands from pet stores and vet offices. The nutritional needs of a kitten are different that that of a older, senior cat so choose the type that is appropriate for your cat's age. All commercial food must meet specific needs of cats.
The cat food you buy should: Foods to AvoidIf you decide to give your cat liver, do so only occasionally as to much liver can result in bone disease.Never give your cat cow's milk or cheese. Cats don't have the necessary enzymes to digest milk sugar lactose properly. Drinking milk can lead to your kitten developing diarrhea ... and a mess to clean up. Avoid feeding kitty raw fish or pork. Don't feed your cat exclusively home cooked meals as kitty's body may become deficient in some of the essential nutrients required for vital health maintenance. Some food preservatives used in our human diet can be poisonous to cats.
Do not feed cats’ dog food. Dog food does not have enough nutrients to maintain vital health either. Proteins should be 30% to 40% of the cat's diet. This is three times the requirement for dogs.
Changing Your Cat's DietDon't switch labels because some other brand happens to be on sale this week. Sudden changes in your cat's diet can result in diarrhea or vomiting that can last up to a week. If you decide to change brands, make the change gradually over 7 days. Start with only a small amount of the new food mixed in with the old on the first day. Then each day add more and more of the new cat food into the meal until after 7 days it is all new food.If your vet suggests a particular cat food, think of it as pet medicine and follow her directions. By using proper and nutritional food you could save hundreds of dollars in veterinary bills.
If your cat stops eating and can't be coaxed to eat for more than 2 meals, contact your vet immediately.
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