Thanks to mom I've adopted a healthy diet in my adult life. I always read the labels and I'm careful about not eating too many processed foods or artificial flavors and preservatives. I have a good understanding of what kinds of foods are healthy for me, but what is the best food for my cats? How can I be sure the food I'm buying my cats is healthy cat food? I tried looking at cat food labels, but I didn't know exactly what I should be looking for the way I did with my own food.
I believe nutrition is the foundation of good health and I want solid nutrition for my kitties too. It's important to me that they have a good quality of life; I want them to be with me for as long as possible, and not surprisingly none of us enjoy unnecessary visits to the veterinarian. Annual check ups are necessary, but I want to decrease the chance of them coming down with one of the common cat health problems that happen all too often by feeding them a healthier diet.
After trying to decipher a few cat food labels I decided it was time to start doing some research. I started reading more about the biology of a cat to find out what their nutritional needs are. Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they require a high percentage of protein for their bodies to function properly. For example if they don't have proper levels of taurine, found in meats, cats can experience a wide range of health problems including loss of vision. Because it's so essential a quality source of protein should be the first and main ingredient in a healthy cat food.
Although we've domesticated them, by nature they hunt their food and eat it raw. As unpleasant as it may sound to us it's natural for them. Because of this they have a low thirst drive; they were meant to get moisture in their food. Many cats that are on an all dry food diet don't get enough liquids which can cause a problem with feline urinary tract infections. It's good to give your cat at least some moist food, whether it's canned or raw or frozen. As part of a healthy feline diet it's also good to encourage your cat to drink by having clean, fresh water in a couple areas of your house.
A good deal of people food is processed and has a lot of junk in it. The same thing is also true for cat food. By using fillers cat food manufacturers can produce cat food at a much lower cost, unfortunately cats don't always respond so well to these fillers. Many cats develop allergies, sensitive stomachs (meaning they may vomit too often for reasons other than trying to get rid of a hairball), or other cat health problems.
When looking for a healthy cat food make sure the first and main ingredient is a quality source of protein. In addition look for whole foods and grains like brown rice, peas or carrots, and quality fats like flax oil, chicken fat or even olive oil. It's best to avoid cat foods containing artificial preservatives and colors. Many cats are sensitive to these ingredients as well.
I've discovered I can save money and make life a little better for me and the kitties by spending more on quality cat foods. My nineteen and a half year old and ten year kitties have been my own living proof of that.
