Cats can be tricky when it comes to finding a balanced, quality, affordable diet that they will consistently and happily eat. Felines have a few key components to their diet that should be kept in mind when searching for food to fill their bowls and optimize their health.
Protein
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are required to consume a diet rich in animal-based proteins for their health and well-being. In the wild, they would hunt small birds and mice to meet their dietary requirements. Their physical features, such as sharp teeth and a strong jaw as well as their metabolic adaptations, require a high meat, low carbohydrate diet. Protein also provides essential amino acids, including Taurine, which is a critical component of a balanced cat diet.
Fat
Although they spend a lot of time snoozing, cats also are very athletic, agile animals with daily energy requirements, fulfilled by their diet. Fats provide essential energy, as well as omega fatty acids responsible for proper immune, nerve, skin and joint health.
Vitamins & Minerals
It’s incredibly important to provide your cat with a complete and balanced diet to ensure they are meeting their daily nutritional requirements. Improperly balanced diets lack crucial vitamins and minerals that can lead to long-term health concerns. A helpful tool can be looking for the phrase “complete and balanced” or “meets nutritional levels established by AAFCO” to ensure your diet is formulated for your cat’s basic nutritional needs.
Water
Cats notoriously struggle with consuming enough water, and often fall victim to urinary tract issues due to lack of hydration. Providing a moisture rich diet is extremely beneficial for your cat, as it mimics their natural diet of birds or small critters, and ensures they are consuming enough water each day. Consider switching to a wet food, gently cooked, or raw diet to boost your cat’s health. You can also integrate bone broth or goat’s milk to entice your cat to drink more.
Given a cat's natural diet and nutritional requirements, they benefit greatly from a balanced, fresh food diet that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and moisture rich. However, cats can be very picky, and it can become frustrating as well as overwhelming to find something they will consistently eat that provides a positive impact on their health. If you need help finding something that works for your pet, your budget, and your lifestyle, our team is here to help!
