All your cat nutrition questions answered

Why do I need to invest in top quality cat food?

A specially-formulated cat food provides your cat with the right nutrients it needs to fuel its body and allow for optimal function, not to mention keep its weight in check. Top-quality foods can help prevent conditions like joint disease, diabetes, dental problems, UTIs and skin, and coat concerns. Awesome brands like Royal Canin (who developed breed-specific cat food to cater to specific needs) and Acana (that uses fresh regional ingredients and meat-based proteins) are two of your best options.

What ingredients should I look for when considering cat nutrition?

The most important ingredient in any brand of cat food is the protein. Protein is a cat’s main source of energy, which is why animal protein is always the best option since a cat’s body doesn’t use plant-based proteins very well. Another important energy source is fat. You want to invest in something that contains the least amount of carbohydrates (I the form of grains or maize) because your kitty really doesn’t need it.

How much and how often should I feed my cat?

In general, you should feed your cat twice a da. The amount really depends on your cat’s weight (and ideal weight) and the kind of food you’ve invested in. always check the feeding guideline of the food to ensure you’re not over-feeding your cat. Your vet should also be able to give you some pointers with regards to this matter.

Can my cat still eat his kitten food at old age?

Most brands offer various options for kittens, adult cats, and senior cats. As your cat ages, their nutritional needs evolve. Kittens need enough nutrients to help them grow, but a senior cat who isn’t as active anymore needs a diet that supports their joints and coat and keeps their weight under control. Cats that are a year old should be on adult food and should transition to senior food when they’re around seven years old.

Should I be giving my cat cow’s milk?

It’s not ideal to give your cat the same milk you drink. Once kittens are weaned, the enzymes needed for them to digest milk are lost, so milk can’t be digested very well anymore. Milk is also high in lactose and fat, which means it can cause digestive issues and even obesity. Cats do not need milk to survive. Water is always the better choice.

Can cats eat human food?

Although some human foods are fine, you should keep a close eye in this since there are quite a lot of human food items that just don’t sit well with the digestive system of a cat. Things like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, xylitol, raw meat, raw eggs and raw fish can cause illness in cats.

The post Cat nutrition 101: Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Petz.

Lessons to learn from your cat

1. If you’re not into something, don’t do it

Cats are stubborn, which means that they’ll never do something if they don’t feel like it. It’s as simple as that. One of the most important things you can learn from your cat is that you shouldn’t do anything you don’t really want to do. It’s all about learning what your limits are and saying no when the time calls for it.

2. A little bit of patience goes a long way

Take stalking and hunting prey as an example: cats are some of the most patient creatures in the world. They’ll sit still as statues for however long it takes so that they can find the prime moment to pounce. A lot of us could do with learning some patience in life too!

3. Don’t blindly trust everyone you meet

It can take quite a while for new people to earn a cat’s trust, and that’s a lesson you can learn from your cat. Cats know that not all humans are trustworthy and they’ll take their sweet time to decide whether or not someone is really worthy of their trust. And so should you.

4. Be courageous and brave

Cats are fearless, bold and brave and will go out of their way to make sure the world knows it. Just like cats, we should all try being a little bolder and courageous in life.

5. Sometimes you really need to chill out

Cats are masters of the art of chilling out. Relaxing is something that most of us desperately need in our lives because we live fast-paced lives and often tend to forget to take time to switch off and recharge our own batteries.

6. It’s important to always stand on your own feet

Cats are super independent and some of them even thrive on living their lives in solitude. They do their own thing, where and when it pleases them. They also come home intermittently. They don’t dance to the world’s demands; they dance to their own tune. Although it’s great to have a village around you, you shouldn’t rely on people too much. Just like cats, we need to be independent and in charge of our own lives.

The post Here’s what you can learn from your cat appeared first on Petz.

Signs you love cats

1. Your screen saver is a picture of a cat, not one of your kids.

You might have a partner, kids, and a massive extended family, but still, your screen saver is a cat doing something odd. Also, your day never really starts until you see that little smile on the screen. And yes, all your passwords are probably cat-related too.

2. You’ll take the open seat.

You have a special seat in the living room, but it’s nothing compared to the love you have for your fur baby. Even if you have a seat with an adjustable backrest to support your back problems, you’ll take another seat if your cat is occupying yours. Why? Because you love cats. And you would do anything for love.

3. If you’re single, it’s probably because your cat didn’t approve.

Perhaps you’re still single because none of the prospects you found out there ever really cut it for your cat. Even though some of the offerings might have been rich, startlingly good-looking and otherwise your soulmate, the moment your cat hissed at them, or worse, they pushed your cat off the sofa, they were as good as out of the door and out of your life.

4. Your normally frugal ways do not apply when it comes to shopping for your cat.

Who cares if you spent double the amount on your cat’s birthday gift as you did on your sister’s? Has your sister ever listened to your problems without judging? Has she ever let you choose the movie? Has she ever rubbed against your legs for a little TLC? Your cat really deserves the luxuries you gift him. End of story.

5. You love boxes!

Perhaps you might get a warm fuzzy feeling when getting a delivery, but you’re not just excited about the contents IN the box, you’re also amped because you know your kitty will love the box itself. It’s okay to empty the box with reckless abandon just so you can give it to your cat sooner. Who cares if the package is fragile? It has to go! The cat is waiting.

6. Hairy clothes are your style

Non-cat people will automatically reach for a brush after encountering a cat and getting hair on their clothes. But because you love cats, you wear that fluff like a badge of honour. You are a cat person all the way. In fact, a new piece of clothing might not look quite right before it sports some cat hair. Wearing your cat-hair filled clothing shows you have and love your cat, so what’s wrong with that. It’s only a problem when you run into someone that’s super allergic and they have a sudden attack…

The post You love cats, and here’s how to tell… appeared first on Petz.

If you’re not sure if your kitty is a little overweight, you can make use of online tools to calculate it. We especially like the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Calculator, which can be used before you consult with your vet about your cat’s diet. That being said, here are some tips you can implement to bring your cat back from the brink of becoming the next Garfield!

Tips for your cat’s weight

1. Offer smarter food choices

Cutting back on the amount of food you feed your overweight cat isn’t the solution to the problem. That’s why it’s better to chat to your vet about foods that’ll rev up your cat’s metabolism before you start restricting kilojoules.

2. Introduce new food gradually

It’s not wise to suddenly change your cat’s food since it can lead to an upset tummy or point-blank refusal to eat it from your cat’s side. You need to introduce your cat to the new food gradually, over a week. Try mixing the new food with your cat’s old food at a ratio of 3 to 1 with the majority being the old food and slowly shift the ratio until you’re at 100% new food.

3. Plan carefully when you’ve got two cats and only one cat’s weight is a problem

The last thing you want to do is give your dieting cat access to your healthy cat’s food bowl. Make sure they have separate feeding areas and that your overweight cat doesn’t have access to food throughout the day. If need be, use a cardboard box and cut a hole in it that’s only big enough for the slimmer cat to fit through.

4. Pump up his physical activity

Exercise is an essential part of staying healthy, for all cats, not just the ones that have issues with their weight. But of course, you’ll need to be the one that encourages active play if your overweight cat is on the lazy side. Perhaps it might be a good idea to invest in some interactive toys that encourage play. Something as simple as a cat tickler can help promote hunting, running, and jumping, but so will a tall scratch post.

The post Your cat’s weight and when to worry appeared first on Petz.