What should the cat eat?
Choosing what to feed your cat and what's best for your cat can be difficult - especially when there are so many different types of cat food to choose from. Here we hope to guide you a little way in deciding what type of food is right for your cat.
Cats are basically so-called obligate carnivores. This means that they are designed to eat a meat-rich, protein-based diet. They don't have a well-developed system in their body to metabolise large amounts of carbohydrates, as dogs do, for example. However, this does not mean that they can survive on pure meat alone, it is not a balanced diet. A cat that has basically evolved to eat prey such as mice or birds does not just eat the meat, but consumes virtually the entire prey including the bones. So you can't feed your cat a diet of meat only.
A good and well-developed diet contains a balanced composition of the substances that your cat needs to get from its diet, such as protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. There are both soft and dry foods, and you need to find out which is best for your cat, or combine the two. You can also consult a vet for advice on what is an appropriate food for your cat based on its individual needs and health condition.
What influences the choice of food?
Age
Your cat's age will affect the choice of food. Feed your kitten a food designed for kittens that gives it all the nutrition it needs. It is very important that cats are fed a good diet, as they expend a lot of energy growing, exploring and playing.
When the cat reaches the age of 1 year, it is time to leave kitten food behind and start feeding the cat a food designed for adult cats. The change of food should be gradual, over about a week's time. The cat may have problems with vomiting and/or diarrhoea if the changeover is too quick.
An older cat needs a food that is adapted for senior cats. These foods often contain a little less energy as older cats tend to move around less than younger cats do.
Disease
If your cat has a medical condition, this may also affect the choice of food. For example, a cat with kidney failure should not be fed a high-protein food. If your cat has a medical condition, we recommend that you consult a vet about the best food for your cat!
