How to Feed a Cat a Balanced Diet

No single dietary plan can be considered ideal for every cat. Here are some general guidelines to help keep your cat healthy and her appetite satisfied.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat Dishes
• Pet Waterers

1. Be sure to choose a reputable brand of cat food. Check with your veterinarian for recommendations.

2. Feed your cat dry food as well as wet, canned food. Dry food helps keep her teeth cleaner. Read the label to be sure the nutrient level is appropriate to your cat's stage of life. Usually, cat food containing 34 to 38 percent protein and 19 to 22 percent fat provides a healthy balance.

3. Remember that most cats are snackers or nibblers and like to eat small amounts of dry food throughout the day.

4. Know that cats with digestive problems may require higher fiber content in their diet. Check with your veterinarian.

5. Remember that cats begin to show their age at 8 to 10 years, with diminished abilities to smell, taste, chew and digest. Make sure an older cat has food that is highly digestible and palatable.

6. Feed your cat a small, measured amount of canned food twice a day. Leave the dry food out so that he can snack throughout the day.

Tips & Warnings

• Cats with kidney or heart disease might need reduced protein, phosphorus and sodium in their diets. Purchase these foods from your veterinarian.
• Dry food is better than canned food at preventing dental tartar.
• Never feed a cat dog food. Cats require more protein and fat in their foods.
• Make sure not to overfeed your cat. Obesity in cats contributes to disease and can lead to pre-mature aging and early death.
• Consult a veterinarian before adding vitamin and mineral supplements to your dog's diet.

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[DreaAsha]

on 9/28/2008 Did any of you see what that person Leroy said? Did it not offend anyone else? You can buy a new cat for the price of some vet shots?

Good lord.

[katsnk9s]

on 3/28/2008 It is a MYTH that dry food is better than canned to prevent dental tartar. Tartar is caused by STARCHES and SUGARS !!! The MAIN components of DRY FOOD. Wet food... raw or natural grain and additive free has natural enzymes and resists clinging to dental enamel. Also , cats are OBLIGATE CARNIVORES which means they are REQUIRED TO EAT AN ALL MEAT DIET in order to survive/thrive in a healthy manner. Ideally a cat should eat a grain free, low magnesium, low ash , natural ( biologically appropriate ) diet and NEVER drink tap or spring water which is loaded with additives and minearals which contribute to the formation of kidney stones and urine crystals... DISTILLED WATER ONLY !! A raw, natural diet or canned grain-free foods by Wellness, California Natural, Innova Evo and some other high quality holistic brands will keep your cat it's healthiest.

[katsnk9s]

on 3/28/2008 Dry food keeping teeth cleaner is a complete myth. Dry food is loaded with starches which are the CAUSE of plaque/tartar build-up. A natural high quality WET diet ( raw or grain-free canned ) is the best diet for a cat that is an OBLIGATE CARNIVORE ... look that up. Dry diets also contribute to kidney disease, bladder ( UTI ) infections and crystals in the urine.

[Leroy]

on 10/6/2007 I buy Ol' Roy dry cat food at Wal-Mart which is less expensive than the leading brands. It usually takes him a day or two to eat a bowlful so I save even more. A 20 pound bag of Iams costs about $30, Ol' Roy a quarter of that. I like my cat but if he doesn't live to be 15 or 20, whoop dee doo, its a cat. A replacement can be had for the price of the vet shots. I do wonder how many of the people who feed their cats raw top sirloin sit down with a bag of greasy chips or fire up a smoke afterwards.

[suzann]

on 4/8/2007 Given all that has happened recently it the pet food industry, it is not surprising that a large number of pet owners are discovering a natural diet will keep their pets alive and a lot more healthy than almost any convenient dry or wet food available. It has been recently published that dry food greatly dehydrates the system and is NOT recommended AT ALL by veterinarians who are in the know. It is also not recommended as a dentifice, that's simply a marketing ploy to get you to buy that brand. It is amazing how many people just accept that anything is okay to feed their cat and then wonder why they live 5 years and not 20. There is a wake-up call going on, pay attention and start feeding your pet correctly! Twice a day, raw or lightly browned turkey, beef, duck or venison, non-toxic veggies like carrots and broccoli, chopped up & mixed with organic baby food (World's Best) if you have to include meds daily. There are great vitamin powders to mix in daily and homeopathic meds for a large variety of illnesses when they need treatment. My special needs cat is so healthy that the vet is stunned at how great her blood test reports continue to be. She was born with only one kidney, has asthma and also sinus issues daily. She has so much energy that it is almost unbelievable. There's plenty of information out there, if you really care about your pet, you can google on the internet and take a new path to make a better life for your pet. Go to a natural pet food store and educate yourself. Do it now!