In addition to The Spruce, she regularly contributes to MyDomaine and Byrdie.įor this piece, Holland interviewed Dr.
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Theresa Holland is a professional writer and animal lover with extensive experience writing about cats and dogs. It's also helpful to talk to your veterinarian as to what food they recommend for your specific feline, as your cat may have specific dietary needs due to age, health, or weight, such as the need for a food that promotes urinary tract health.
Whatever you decide, however, always check the ingredients of your cat's food and choose only those with a high-quality, meat-based protein as the top ingredient-this goes for both dry and canned cat food.
Perhaps a morning meal of wet food and a dinner of kibble, or the reverse. Many people solve the dry-versus-wet-food dilemma by feeding their cat a mixture of both. But all cats, regardless of diet, should have access at all times to a source of fresh, clean water. Studies have gone both ways some show cats fed kibble-only diets are more dehydrated than cats fed wet food, while others indicate the reverse. To keep your cat healthy, always read the ingredient list of any potential kibble, and be sure that meat-based proteins are the top ingredients, with grains or plants absent or further down the ingredient list.Īs for dehydration, there is no clear evidence that a diet of kibble causes cats to be more or less dehydrated than other felines. Unfortunately, many inferior kibbles have plant-based carbohydrates as a top ingredient, with protein further down the list. A good cat food is high in protein, and only low-to-moderate on carbohydrates. While cats are not designed to eat a diet high in carbohydrates, they can digest complex carbs, and indeed, require some carbohydrates in their diet for optimum health. The two major arguments against kibble-that it is too high in carbohydrates and that it causes dehydration-are not necessarily true in all cases. The answer, however, is not cut-and-dried. You might wonder which is best, and indeed, there is considerable dispute even among veterinarians as to whether it's ideal for cats to eat only wet food, or whether kibble is a satisfactory choice as well. When it comes to feeding your cat, there are two basic choices: canned wet food or dry kibble. One thing to note is that your cat does not need carbohydrates in his or her diet, although there's no data to show what the optimal carbohydrate percent for cats should be. Look for dry cat food that meets the minimum daily requirements for essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. For instance, taurine is an essential amino acid that your cat needs to absorb through diet. Your cat needs certain nutrients to thrive, including amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. You may need to experiment with different protein sources and ingredients to find a dry cat food that your cat will gobble up. While limited ingredient foods are good for digestion, they’re not always as appetizing to some cats. Finding a dry cat food that your cat will eat and appreciate is sometimes a challenge, especially if you’re transitioning from wet cat food. This is a matter of taste, but the fact is that some felines are more finicky than others. Help Your Kitten Thrive With Our Favorite Foods Designed For Them Flavor And if your cat is experiencing an issues related to their urinary tract or digestion, slowly shifting their diet to a different kind of food can alleviate symptoms and discomfort.įrom novice kitten to experienced senior, a cat's needs change with each stage of life, so you'll need to adjust the type of dry kibble, along with the serving size, throughout your shared time together. Studies have shown that cats drink more when the source of their water is flowing. It's also important to make sure your cat is drinking enough water, so along with dry cat food, we strongly recommend giving your cat a water fountain. "Cats are not able to naturally make certain amino acids and vitamins such as taurine, arginine, vitamin A, vitamin D3, and other B vitamins, and therefore they must be included in their diet." Lewis Singleton, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital in New Jersey told the The Spruce Pets. "Cats are what we call obligate carnivores, meaning they must have protein as the majority of their diet," Dr. Dry cat food is convenient, compatible with most automatic feeders, and-by selecting the right formula for your cat's current needs-can easily provide a nutritious, well-balanced meal.Ī premium dry cat food has animal-source protein as the first ingredient. There are two main types of cat food to choose from, canned (often called wet), or dry (often called kibble). For optimal health a cat must receive protein, vitamins, and minerals through their diet.
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