Cats are independent animals that know how to fend for themselves. That can make mealtime challenging because cats want what they want when they want it. However, feeding your cat the right diet at the right time and at the right stage of life is essential for keeping your feline healthy and living their best life.
Pure Peak wants to help you keep your cat happy, active, and strong. That means understanding how and when to feed your furry friend. Our comprehensive cat feeding guide gives you all the information you need to make good decisions about your pet's eating habits and overall health so you and your kitty can look forward to a long life together.
What to Know About Cat Food
Giving your cat a balanced diet is only one part of the overall health and wellness equation. Your cat’s health doesn’t just depend on its food type. It also depends on the quantity of food you offer.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials is a third-party organization that establishes healthy food guidelines that outline all the vitamins and minerals cats need to survive and live healthy lifestyles. Commercially available cat foods, wet and dry that meet AAFCO standards should give your furry friend everything they need, including protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Specialized formulations can also help you address age-related and health concerns. Kitten food must be more nutrient-dense than adult cat food to meet a kitten’s growth needs. Adults with health concerns like hairballs or obesity may benefit from specific formulations that address these problems. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the diet you feed your cat contains taurine. Taurine is an essential amino acid that is readily available in animal-based proteins (meat, fish, etc.) and exists in almost all commercially prepared foods. Without taurine, a condition called central retinal degeneration may lead to blindness. Taurine deficiencies have also been linked to the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in cats which eventually leads to congestive heart failure. There are additional risks associated with taurine deficiencies such as immune and nervous system deficits.
How Much Food Should a Cat Eat a Day?
How do you know how much food to give your cat or kitten? The answer can depend on your feline friend's age, weight, and health. The answer may also depend on the type of food you want to provide your cat. Most cat food manufacturers provide feeding guidelines to help you estimate the proper amount of food your cat or kitten needs. Your veterinarian can also give you an excellent idea of how much food you need to give your cat and when.
Depending on your kitten's age, it is generally best to feed kittens small amounts of food multiple times a day. Monitor your kitten’s eating habits and appetite to gauge whether your unique feline needs more or less food or whether you need to split their feedings into smaller and more frequent meal times. Always work with your veterinarian to determine the best nutrition plan for your kitten within their first year of life.
At around one year of age, cat’s calorie requirements change as they are no longer as quickly growing as they were as kittens. Again, your vet and food manufacturer can give you a general idea of how much food your adult cat needs to stay healthy and at a reasonable weight. Another factor to consider when determining the number of calories your cat may need is their neuter status. Cats that have been spayed or neutered generally need fewer calories than cats that are still intact. Healthy cats that are prone to obesity and cats who are overweight may need feeding adjustments which may mean feeding a weight management diet or adjusting the amount of daily calories your cat is receiving. If treats are your love language, remember that cat treats should never make up more than 10 percent of your forever friend’s daily calorie intake.
How Much Food Is Too Much Food for My Cat?
A sedentary lifestyle plus too much food equals obesity. In cats, obesity is typically defined as an animal at least 20 percent or more above an average weight. Obesity is one of the most common ailments affecting domestic cats. A survey conducted by the FDA found that 60 percent of cats in U.S. households suffer from obesity.
Having a little butterball for a cat may seem cute or endearing; however, obesity can cause significant health problems like diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, skin issues, arthritis, and high blood pressure. It can also shorten the lifespan of your forever friend. If you notice changes in your cat’s weight, activity level, or eating habits, it is time to get your veterinarian involved and develop a healthy eating and exercise plan.
Cats who overeat can quickly pack on the pounds and need your help to get back to a healthy weight and lifestyle. With guidance from a trusted veterinarian, consider lowering your cat’s caloric intake or finding a weight management cat food. You may also need to cut down on the cat treats and avoid feeding your cat table scraps.
You may also need to review your feeding habits. Do you give your cat excessive treats, or is your food measurement system inaccurate? Find other ways to show your cat you love them, like extra snuggles or playtime instead of treats. Invest in an easily readable measuring scoop or cups to help prevent overfeeding. Shifting your feeding schedule from one of two bigger meals to multiple smaller meals may also help.
Let Us Help You Care for Your Cat’s Health and Wellness
At Pure Peak, we believe innovation and integrity are the keys to creating health and wellness products for pets that deliver unparalleled benefits. Our products are formulated with clean ingredients and quality assured, elevating your furry friend’s overall well-being. If you want your pet’s health to mirror your own, we are the company for your family, empowering pet parents to give their fluffy loved ones the best.
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