Cat Food Bible: How & What to Feed Your Cat

Everyone loves their feline friends. They may ignore us, they may be picky and they may be annoying at times, but we always go above and beyond to look after them. A healthy cat is a happy cat, and a happy cat makes for a happy owner.

Getting the right food can get your cat’s attention immediately, no matter what they are doing (Source: Pexels)

The easiest way to make sure your cat is in good health is through their food. Cats love to eat, and they love anyone who enables them. Feeding a cat can be stressful, given that they are equally as likely to turn their nose up at the food you offer them as they are to polish it off and meow for you to give them more.

Therefore, it is not enough to simply put any food in a bowl and assume that this will be good. Every cat has different needs, and it is important to make sure that you are aware of what yours needs, and that they are getting it.

How much should I feed my cat?

The needs of a cat vary based on age, weight, and how active they are. Kittens will need more food relative to their body weight than adults because they are still growing. At the opposite end of the spectrum, an older cat that is more sedentary will require less food.

If possible, it is best to feed your cat their food in multiple, smaller portions throughout the day. Leaving food out all day could cause problems such as weight gain, as cats are not very good at judging when they should stop eating! Gaining weight can have serious knock on effects later in life for your pet, including joint disease, heart disease, and diabetes to name a few.

Recommended daily serving for adult cats

Recommended daily servings for kittens

It is best to consult the packaging of your chosen cat food to determine how much you should be giving them every day, to ensure that your cat gets what they need, without the additional extras.

What should I be feeding my cat?

 There has been some debate about what type of food is best for cats. However, the texture is not the most important element of cat food. Neither is the ingredients in it. Above all else, you need to ensure that your cat is getting all the nutrients it needs.

Cats require a lot of protein, so this is the main thing to look out for. Cats are hunters, and in the wild they kill for their food, so the protein will typically come through some form of meat. Because of this, it is not a good idea to feed your cat a vegetarian or vegan diet.span>

Cat’s will eat as much as they can if you don’t keep an eye on them (Source: Pixabay)

As for whether you should go for ‘wet’ or dry food, there is no definitive answer. Generally, most cats prefer ‘wet’ food because it has a better smell, texture and taste. This food also tends to come in pouches that are well portioned for a meal. On the other side, dry food is typically more convenient, as it lasts longer once opened and can be left out. If you are going to use dry food, be careful that you don’t buy one that has a high amount of carbohydrates, as this is not good for cats. As long as you are vigilant, there are dry foods available that contain all the nutrients your cat needs, without the mess of a ‘wet’ food.

When your cat starts to age, you may need to slightly alter their diet. While the requirements will largely stay the same, it would be best to feed them a diet that is high in moisture, as elderly cats have a higher likelihood of suffering dehydration.

When should I feed my cat?

As discussed earlier, it is best to feed your pet lots of small portions throughout the day. However, we recognize that this can be difficult with a hectic schedule, so the next best thing would be to feed them twice a day.

You should try to train your cat to a schedule, especially if you are very busy. If you are normally out during the day then it would be advisable to get your cat used to eating in the mornings and evenings, as this is when the food will be available.

If you are going to be out for large periods of time, then leaving a little food out wouldn’t hurt, as long as you don’t leave too much out.

If you don’t want to come home to this look, it would be best to leave some food out (Source: Unsplash)

Should I use hypoallergenic cat food?

Hypoallergenic cat food contains no ingredients that cats could be allergic to, making it the best choice for keeping your pet healthy and happy. Your cat might require hypoallergenic food if they develop an allergy to a certain food product or ingredient, but the most common allergies for cats are beef, lamb, seafood, corn, soy, dairy products and wheat gluten, so if you think your pet has an allergy, check the food you typically give them for these products.

If you believe your cat has an allergy then you should take them to your vet to confirm your suspicions, but before you do this you can look for the symptoms yourself; the most prominent symptom will be itchy skin. Other noticeable symptoms might include hair loss, and extreme scratching. If your cat exhibits any of these then you should take them to the vet to confirm that the allergy is food related, before switching to hypoallergenic food.

Alternatively, you could start with hypoallergenic food to avoid any potential discomfort for your cat; if they aren’t eating any allergens then they can’t have a reaction!

Once you have discovered what is best for your pet, getting them to eat it is the easy part. Finding the right food for your cat can make every meal a treat! Our grain free Pure and Simple Cat and Kitten food is completely dry and absolutely delicious, filled with freshly prepared ingredients and a high meat ratio to ensure your cat stays strong and healthy throughout the year. Take a look today and see if your pet’s new favourite meal is in our range!