Cats are perhaps the most tender companions. They share their love and companionship in exchange for literally nothing. Being a parent of your cat probably know how wonderful it is to have them furry friend around, making your home more alive. And since they bring so much joy into our lives, we must ensure that we provide them with the best care possible.

Caring for your cat starts with improving their lifestyle, and the foundation of that is providing the right food. Finding the best cat food in Pakistan might initially seem to be a real hassle, but it is an important activity, just like bringing up a child. Just as you'd carefully select what's best for a baby, so is the same application for your feline friend. Learn in detail what nutrients they need and what type of cat food will result in their robust and healthy constitution. In this blog, we are going to learn all the basic knowledge about nutrition in cats.

Mechanism Of Eating Cats

To get your cat the proper nutrients, first understand the mechanism behind their eating behavior. Cats are carnivorous animals whose main sustenance is proteins derived from animals. They prey on minor animals such as birds, fish, and rodents, which help them acquire the nutrients they need in the wild. Pet food and cats rely entirely on their masters for sustenance. Ideal nutrition would enable them to achieve an ideal body weight suitable for the breed and level of activity as a form of prevention from some health issues, an example of which is obesity.

Ideal Nutrition of Cats

If you are concerned with feeding your cat the appropriate nutrients in the right quantities, then the ensuing outline will assist you in making optimum decisions about its nutrition.

Proteins

Protein is the most important part of a cat's nutrition. It is the basic building block that is involved in forming and maintaining muscle tissues. Lean muscle is the key to a hyperactive yet agile and healthy cat. These other nutrients come from high-quality animal proteins such as chicken, fish, or turkey. These would help your feline friend to grow and maintain its energy. For domesticated cats, pre-cooked meat is advisable rather than raw meat since this is safer for consumption and manageable.

Fats

Fats are another very important part of a cat's diet. These include essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, important in keeping skin and coat healthy. However, just like everything else and much the same as in humans, it needs to be given out in moderation. Overfeeding them with fats will make your cats overweight which will prove very harmful to them. Note that their intake of fat does not become too high.

Fiber

It helps the digestion process in a cat's body to run without any problems. With these fiber-rich food ingredients, such as brown rice, added to your cat's diet will not develop any form of digestive complications, and the bowel movement is maintained up to the mark. The right amount of fiber intake keeps your cat's system free of gastrointestinal problems.

Water

Hydrate your cat. During the day, your cat should always have access to plenty of fresh water to drink. Many cat owners love automatic water dispensers because they provide a never-ending supply of water. When the bowl runs out, it refills automatically. This means that even if you're away from home during the day, your cat will always have fresh water to drink.

Vitamins & Minerals

Cats require several types of vitamins and minerals for maximum health. While wild cats get these ingredients in their prey naturally, domesticated cats depend on owners regarding this nutritional provision. Vitamins include basic ones such as A, K, E, and B complex, while minerals include calcium, phosphorus, and iodine responsible for muscular development and overall body functions. Among amino acids, there is taurine, an acid responsible for vision and heart conditions. Fortunately, the formulations of most commercial foods include a proper mixture of all these nutrients, so supplements usually aren't necessary unless advised by a veterinarian.

Carbs

While fruits, vegetables, and grains are sometimes necessary for humans, cats have different digestive systems. Because the intestines are shorter, it cannot process large amounts of carbs. Giving them too many causes digestive discomfort. While small amounts of easily digestible carbohydrates can be included, this should be a very limited part of your cat's diet.

Variation Ratio Of Food

Since cats are in different stages of life, their nutritional needs also differ. For instance, kittens and nursing mothers require calorie-dense foods with higher amounts of protein and fat to answer the needs brought about by growth and nursing. On the contrary, older cats require less fat to avoid weight gain which could lead to serious health complications. Maybe the best cat food for kittens may prove harmful for adult cats. Knowing these different needs will enable you to give your cat the right kind of nutrition at every stage of its life.

Choosing the Healthiest Cat Food

Choosing the best food for your cat does not merely involve walking into a grocery store and selecting any available bag. You should at least want to consider some options, like what tastes better to your cat, his nutritional needs, and what health issues your cat could have. A well-planned feeding schedule along with recommendations from a veterinarian will help provide the right amount of wet and dry food to your feline friend. If your cat has any health issues or is allergic to certain foods, then advice from a veterinarian would be more effective to fulfill its nutritional requirements. Others like to give their cats different varieties at different times of the day. For example, one can give a dry breakfast and a wet dinner. In doing so, it is also easy to monitor the consumption of a single cat. And thus, weight management of your cat becomes easier and achievable.

Types of Commercial Cat Food

In general, commercial cat food is available in three forms. These are dry, semi-moist, and canned food. All have specific advantages and varied nutritional profiles, so a guardian has to decide which form of food is best for a cat considering his dietary needs and preferences.

Dry Cat Food

Dry cat food contains 6-10% moisture and is very convenient for most cat owners. The usual ingredients are a combination of meat, poultry, and fish, fiber, grains, vitamins, and minerals. The food is then extruded into bite-sized pieces that are easy to store and serve. The crunchy texture can help maintain the healthiness of the teeth.

Semi-Moist Food

Semi-moist cat foods contain approximately 35% water and are usually manufactured from a mixture of meat by-products combined with cereals and gains. Slightly more expensive than dry foods, it is more palatable to some cats. However, its higher moisture content makes it less stable for longer-term storage once it has been opened.

Canned Food

With about 75% moisture, canned food is ideal for those cats who need a little more hydration. This will not only hydrate your cat well but also help maintain good health. Usually the most expensive of foods, this variety comes in an amazing range of flavors and is generally far more appealing to cats than dry food, so it's a very good choice if you have a finicky eater.

Common Cat Nutrition & Cat Food Concern

Adding a new cat to your family can be overwhelming, but knowing the following nutritional concerns will keep you in the driver's seat where your cat's diet and overall health are concerned.

Avoid Overfeeding

Those cute expressions on their faces can make cats beg for more food, but you have to stick to your schedule and not overfeed them. Overfeeding results in obesity and all the serious issues associated with it. Therefore correct amounts of food should be given.

Multiple Food Groups

Do not rely on one group of food. Variety in their meals is the secret to making cats look forward to eating their food. Interchange different classes of foods, such as dry cat food, semi-moist cat food, and canned cat food, for nutritional balance and to avoid monotony.

Keep Them Hydrated

Always have fresh water available for your cat. If possible, avail yourself of the facility of an automatic water dispenser to provide access to your cat at any time.

No People Food

Human food is not for cats because several common foods contain toxins injurious to them. This includes snacks such as chocolates, grapes, or onions, which make them seriously and often very ill.

Avoid Milk

Milk and other dairy products have always entered the list of the favorite foods of cats. However, few know that most felines are lactose intolerant. Giving your feline just milk and other dairy products can cause quite a few stomach problems, so special cat treats are far better than trying to treat them to milk.

Conclusion