In order to make sure that you cat is healthy and happy, you are going to have to provide a nutritious, well-balanced diet that will support growth and maintenance.
Cats and drinking
Most everyone has heard that cow milk is bad for cats. That is, it turns out, only partially correct. About 80% of cats are intolerant to lactose, but you can get around this by using lactose-free milk designed with cats in mind. This will give you the benefit of also having the nutritious content of a mother cat’s milk, which is great for a kitten.
More important than that is the access to clean water, hopefully in a ceramic bowl that will keep the water cooler longer. This is even more important if your cat eats only dry food.
Bones in home cooked cat food
Fish bones are extremely dangerous to a cat since they can get caught in their small throats and teeth. If you are going to serve them fish then boil or pressure cook it first to soften the bones or so you can take them out altogether.
On the other hand bones are very high in calcium, protein, and other minerals that are good for your cat. Ask your veterinarian about it to find out how much is ok before your cat will become constipated.
Be very careful if you feed chicken bones to your cat because they can splinter and get stuck. Follow the same cooking procedure for these as you did for fish.
Nutrition tips for cats
Fats and oils are important to your cat’s diet if you want them to have healthy skin and shiny, smooth fur. If you think your cat might be lacking fats you can feed it a teaspoon of cod liver oil a few times a week. Check with your veterinarian first, though.
If your cat happens to be lactose intolerant, you can feed them small chunks of cheese in addition to lactose free milk. This will give them a good bit of animal protein, while also being without lactose.
Never feed your cat dog food. It doesn’t have the nutrients that your cat needs, (like taurine), and it might be hard to digest.
Which is the right cat food for your cat?
The choice between commercial and home-cooked cat food is entirely up to you. If you decide to make your cat food on your own, you have to make absolutely sure that it includes all of the essential vitamins and minerals that are vital to cat health. That is why many people choose to feed their cat commercial food. It already has all of the ingredients that will meet your cat’s specific nutrition requirements.
There are plenty of types of commercial foods available. The most common type that you are going to find is dry cat food, which is ideal for bad breath and keeping your cat’s teeth clean as well. It has a very long shelf life, will keep fresh even in the bowl, and is great for cats of any age.
There are also semi-moist foods that contain preservatives and a bit more water than dry foods. Just like dry foods they don’t require any refrigeration and are most commonly used as treats.
Cat canned foods, on the other hand, have a high water content just like fresh meat, but don’t contain any preservatives. For that reason you are going to have to refrigerate it after you open it. It is commonly used to increase the palatability of dry food by mixing them together. The canned foods, which have beef, lamb, chicken, fish, and other animal by-products, can vary greatly in terms of quality. The premium foods will list the ingredients by name and not simply be a blend of meats.
You should know, also, that meat is at its most nutritious when it is raw. You shouldn’t be feeding your cat raw fish because the enzymes that are in it will stop their body from getting the nutrients that they need. Always remember to cook the fish before serving it because that will destroy the enzymes.
For kittens specifically, you should be using commercial food designed with them in mind. A kitten should have four meals a day of this type in order to make sure that it develops properly. You should also make sure to not feed your adult cat the same food because the high protein content can damage a younger kitten's kidneys. Shop for cat food online at Vet Products Direct
Simple cat treats
When your cat is used to commercial cat food, a nice home-cooked treat can be a great surprise! Cats will enjoy barbecue chicken, raw mince, dehydrated liver, and even enjoy a bit of vegemite from time to time!
