When you have a cat, you finally understand why other people consider their furry friends as more than just pets. They become a member of the family that you cannot imagine living without, and you always want the best for them.
So when it comes to figuring out what to feed them, it can be a bit frustrating because you’re not always sure if the way you’re doing it is right, and if they’re getting all the nutrition they need. This is why we’ve created a checklist to help you determine that you’re doing all you can to ensure that your cat is eating the right food.
It is Suitable For Their Age
The first thing to keep in mind is that just like humans, a cat’s needs and their bodies are changing as they get older. Consequently, this means that you need to be sure that you’re feeding them the right food at the right age. When they are around 4 weeks old, this is when you start to introduce wet food to them, but in small doses, and even watered down in some cases so it’s not too heavy on their digestive system.
There is wet and even dry food that is specially made for kittens, and it’s best to stick to that and slowly introduce them to dry food as well. You can keep doing this until they reach 1 year, then it’s time to visit the vet to find out if it’s time to move on to adult cat food. This is because their bodies get bigger, their metabolism rates change and generally slow down, and this is because they are much less active than they are as kittens. The same goes for when they enter their senior years, which start at around 7 years old, and then once again you must visit the vet to make sure that you are giving them the right food which isn’t rough on their digestive system so they don’t end up getting any diseases that can be easily avoided.
They Look Forward to Their Meals
A sure sign that you’re doing it right is the way your kitty reacts to the food itself. You may be getting an expensive brand that everyone swears by, but if your cat isn’t exciting for meal time, then there’s something wrong and you’re going to have to change the brand. Don’t fret though, there is plenty of information and reviews online that can help you understand what’s available out there. The professionals behind LeluandBobo.com say that to get a better insight into all things kitty-related, including cat food, reading reviews should be a habit.
You need to do your homework because each cat has its preferences and each breed is different as well. If your cat is jumping and excited and really looking forward to meal time, then you’re on the right track. Don’t overfeed them though! It’s best to have a routine in place so that you’re neither under nor overfeeding them- this helps greatly in avoiding any possible diseases brought on by the food and their inability to digest it properly.
The Food is Giving Them The Nutrients They Need
Lastly, make sure that you understand what their food includes and what you need to look for in the fine print of ingredients. The more you know, the better informed you are to make the right decisions when it comes to their food. Obviously, the little furballs need their protein. So a variety of fish, meat, and poultry options should be in the mix. It’s important to also remember that cats generally don’t drink as much water as they should, so they get their hydration from their wet food. Read the labels of the food carefully and ensure that there are no chemical additives and that the protein is specified.
It can be a bit nerve-wracking when it comes to what you feed your cat because you do want what’s best for them and feed them food that is delicious and beneficial to their health. And it’s harder with pets because it’s not like they can speak up and tell you their opinion! This is why you need to keep the factors mentioned here in consideration and keep a close eye on the products that you buy for them. Keep an eye out for ingredients and try to stay away from chemicals because these will harm them. Always stay on track with your feeding schedule, visit the vet regularly, and observe their reactions and eating habits so that you can ensure that you doing the best for your cat.