| A cat's nutritional diet basically | | | | a variety of food right from the start. |
| consists of protein, which is found in | | | | . |
| fish and meat products; taurine as well | | | | Many cat owners buy cheap cat food in |
| as other enzymes, fatty acids, vitamins | | | | order to save on food expenses. However, |
| and minerals. | | | | you may not actually be getting your |
| Being obligate carnivores, cats cannot | | | | money's worth as some cheap cat food do |
| thrive primarily on vegetarian diets | | | | not give the right amount of nutrients |
| although cat food manufacturers can | | | | that your cat needs. As a result, your |
| incorporate vegetables into their diets. | | | | cat may consume twice as much than they |
| Carbohydrates may not also be a primary | | | | would when consuming a normal serving of |
| nutritional requirement in cats as well | | | | premium cat food. Also, continued |
| although some cat foods contain wheat, | | | | feeding of cheap, substandard food over |
| rice and corn as fillers. | | | | time may lead to malnourishment and even |
| There are a number of reasons why you | | | | health complications. |
| should feed your cat with a variety of | | | | When buying the right cat food, make |
| both canned and dry cat food, as | | | | sure that it has complied with AAFCO's |
| suggested by many nutritionists. For | | | | standards for complete and balanced |
| one, canned food contains water that | | | | nutrition on its label. Its protein |
| helps supplement a cat's water needs, | | | | source should also be labeled beef, |
| given that cats do not usually drink | | | | chicken or lamb instead of meat alone. |
| water on a regular basis. And just like | | | | Make sure that it is the first |
| humans, cats may also become bored with | | | | ingredient listed on the label. Always |
| the same type of food that you may be | | | | check its expiration date. |
| feeding him. Moreover, although cats | | | | Look out for chemical preservatives such |
| rarely develop food allergies, they may | | | | as BHA. BHT, ethoxyquin and propyl |
| still be allergic to some ingredients | | | | gallate, corn meal as fillers or an |
| over time. You may also want to prevent | | | | excess of carbohydrate fillers. |
| your cat from developing food addiction. | | | | Moreover, beware of labels that read |
| This condition is when a cat becomes | | | | 'animal digest' 'by-products', 'meat and |
| addicted to a particular type of food | | | | bone meal' as well as added sugars, as |
| and may not want to eat any other type | | | | these may not be suitable for your cat's |
| of food anymore. Food addiction in cats | | | | health. |
| can be easily dealt with by feeding him | | | | |