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Look inside your cat's mouth. Notice her teeth?
Shaped for cutting, tearing and slicing, these belong
to a carnivore. Unlike dogs, who can get all their
nutrients from plant-based proteins, domestic felines
need meat to meet their dietary requirements. By
feeding your cat the right kind and amount of food,
you can keep her happy and healthy.
What Makes Up Good Cat Nutrition?
An average adult cat's diet should consist of at
least 28-percent protein, which helps regulate metabolism
and build and repair tissue. Felines need fats,
too, which transport vitamins throughout the body
and help maintain a healthy coat. Fats should make
up at least 9 percent of the diet.
Carbohydrates, which provide energy, should comprise
no more than 40 percent of a feline's daily allowance.
A premium-quality food will contain the right percentages,
along with necessary vitamins and minerals. Should
you give your cat wet or dry food? It's often a
matter of convenience and taste-your cat's, that
is. Eating dry food will exercise a cat's gums and
thus help maintain dental health. But as dry formulas
contain about 10 percent water, versus 75 percent
in the average wet food, you'll must make sure your
pet is drinking enough. Adequate water intake is
important for pets with urinary tract disease, especially
if they have been on a dry-only diet. Moist foods
may be easier on older pets who have lost their
teeth. If your pet eats only wet food, Experts
recommend that you give him a crunchy treat, and
vice versa.
Special Food Requirements Ensure Cat Health
No matter what variety you go with, make sure you
take into account any special feeding requirements.
Young cats need the nutrients found in kitten food,
and lactating mothers can use extra calories. Just
because your elderly cat's metabolism is slowing
down does not mean you should cut back on her food
intake. Some older pets can lose weight if they
have digestive problems. Your veterinarian may prescribe
a special diet if your cat has kidney, urinary or
heart problems. And never feed dog food to your
cat. It won't meet her protein requirements, nor
will it contain adequate levels of taurine, an essential
amino acid. Inadequate levels of taurine in the
diet have been linked to feline heart disease and
blindness.
Because of their excellent senses of smell and
taste, cats may refuse food if it is too hot or
too cold, has an odor they find unpleasant, or has
been left out too long. Always make sure your cat's
food is room-temperature, and throw away any wet
food that hasn't been consumed within 15 minutes.
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