Some fresh food is better than none. Serving a commercially prepared raw food a few times a week is a great way to keep costs down. If you're already feeding canned, look into some raw brands and pricing. Many pet parents don't realize that commercially produced raw diets are comparable in price to some canned foods.
Meat-based diets provide animal fat and supply many essential nutrients specific to the nutritional and health needs of our feline friends. A diet made to fit the unique nutritional needs of the cat is one higher in animal-based proteins, low in carbohydrates, and moderate in fat.
Some of the cheapest cat foods may lack key components of a balanced diet. In some cases, this may lead to unpleasant faeces, a less healthy coat, and poor growth and development.
Many pet food companies create specially formulated topper products, but whole foods like spinach, blueberries, chicken and pumpkin puree are also healthy options for supplementing a cat's diet. Pet food toppers are best suited for cats that are missing specific nutrients from their regular kibble or canned food.
Generally, your cat should get everything they need from a 100% complete and balanced cat food but some human foods are safe. Cats can eat cooked meat (i.e., beef, turkey, chicken) and cooked and de-boned fish (like tuna). Avoid raw meats and fish as they can make your cat sick.
Cats can and should eat wet food every day because it agrees with the feline digestive system better than dry or semi-moist food. Wild cats hunt and eat bugs, rodents, and small birds.
"Dry food is fine as long as it is complete and balanced," says Dr. Kallfelz. Dry food may be less expensive than canned cat food and may stay fresher longer. Cats that eat only dry food need to be provided with lots of fresh water, especially if they are prone to developing urinary tract blockages.
Whiskas are an average dry cat food and best as a sometimes choice for adult cats. Positives are the affordability, variety, and packaging clarity. Customers report great results, but our cat wasn't so sure. Negatives are the mixed taste, high carb content, and low protein.
Some of the most toxic food for cats include onions & garlic, raw eggs & meat, chocolate, alcohol, grapes and raisins. Avoid feeding your cat table scraps, especially around the holidays, as these may contain potentially toxic ingredients.
Cats can be addicted to tuna, whether it's packed for cats or for humans. Some tuna now and then probably won't hurt. But a steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. And, too much tuna can cause mercury poisoning.
Safely Feeding Eggs to Your Cat
You can feed your cat hard boiled, scrambled, poached or even microwaved eggs as long as they're fully cooked (reaching an internal temperature of 160°F). Just let the egg cool down a bit before serving. Don't add any seasonings to the egg that you feed your cat – not even salt.
Both dry and wet food, if they are good quality and nutritionally complete and balanced, can provide everything a cat needs for optimal health. The main difference between them is the moisture content, or the proportional amount of water in the food.
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.
Mix Wet and Dry Cat Food; Is It Ok? Yes, you can safely mix wet and dry cat food together in the same bowl. Choose each food based on quality and what your cat will eat. Remember to check the daily intake amount for each type of cat food individually before combining them so that you do not overfeed your cat.
Just take about a ¼ cup of filtered water and add it to the top of the bowl of kibble in order to moisten and enhance the flavor of the pet food. Cats often stand to benefit the most from doing this, as they frequently have issues with dehydration.
Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
Feed your cat tuna like it's a treat, meaning only give your cat tuna occasionally and only up to 10% of their day's calories. As part of a balanced diet, you can safely offer one teaspoon of tuna a few times a week, or about one-half can per month.
Wet food is more expensive and less easy to use but can be beneficial in cats prone to lower urinary tract disease, constipation and that are overweight. Dry food can be a very efficient way to provide calories in thin cats with food volume limitations and allows for the use of food puzzles and food toy dispensers.
The Bottom Line. While Fancy Feast can be part of a balanced diet for your cat and provides complete nutrition, it may not be quite as fancy as the name suggests. As with any food, ensure the first few ingredients are high-quality, natural proteins like fish, chicken, or meat.
Cheese and dairy are not good for cats. They aren't toxic to cats, but eating too much cheese can upset their stomach and lead to diarrhoea or vomiting. Eating cheese over a prolonged period can also lead to obesity. Some cheeses are also very high in salt, which can cause problems in excess just as it does in humans.
So remember, nonfat plain yogurt is usually safe and healthy for cats and dogs to eat as a fun snack — just check the nutrition label first to make sure it doesn't contain a dangerous ingredient, like xylitol. And for even more power-packed benefits, consider adding a daily probiotic to their regimen.
Remember to include chicken as part of your cat's daily treat allowance, fed with a balanced diet. Feeding only cooked chicken long term can lead to nutritional deficiencies.