Nutrition 101: What to Feed Your Cat for Optimal Health
- Sanchez Tucker
- Oct 23, 2024
- 4 min read
Welcome back! This is Sanchez (the human) and Agnes (the cat). This week, we start off with great news—our family has grown. Agnes’ dad, Ian, has managed to get the stray cat living under his porch to move inside. Margaret “Megatron” Catwood is now a proud member of the Sanchez-Tucker-Kerby family. So far, she is super snuggly but has a few cuts and a broken tail. We are patiently awaiting her vet visit before Agnes gets to meet her little sister, but we are hoping the two end up the best of friends.
This week, we will be diving into the dos and don'ts of cat nutrition. From raw diets to wet food, it can be a struggle to know what is best for your cat. We feed our babies twice a day. Agnes gets ¼ cup dry food and a portion of wet food due to her small stature. Margaret is currently getting the same diet, but with a few more snacks thrown in as she is underweight. We are looking to increase her dry food as we are thinking she is going to be bigger than Agnes.
Key Nutrients Cats Need for Optimal Health
Adult cats require much more protein than humans and dogs; it should make up a minimum of 26% of their diet. As a vegetarian, it is difficult to keep a carnivore, but they absolutely NEED animal-based proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish. We keep Agnes pescatarian, feeding her only fish-based products. This is a personal choice of mine because I have a hard time feeding her turkey and beef when there is no way she could kill a cow or turkey herself. Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats. Essential amino acids are not naturally manufactured in the body, but still necessary for a happy and healthy cat. Animal-based products are again a necessity for them to get enough taurine to keep their heart and eyes healthy. No vegan cats! Cats need their Omega-3s and Omega-6s for healthy skin, coat, and brain function. Any fish or seafood-based food will provide adequate fatty acids, but if your cat has a sensitive stomach, purchasing supplements may be necessary. It is also beyond important to always have clean water available to your cat. They are not natural water drinkers and typically get most of their hydration from their food. We like to use a slow-drip water bowl so Agnes has water on hand at all times, but some cats may prefer a fountain. Check out this Jackson Galaxy video for more information on cat hydration and water fountains!
Dry Food vs. Wet Food: Pros and Cons of Each
Dry food is incredibly common in indoor cats' diets, but it is not necessarily the best for your cat. It has an incredibly low moisture content, and as we mentioned previously, cats are not naturally inclined to get their hydration from drinking, so their food has to make it up. It is also high in carbohydrates, which is not a necessity in a cat's diet. For its pros, it is much more affordable and has a longer shelf life, making it easier to keep around on a strict budget. Wet food has a much higher moisture content of up to 70%, meaning it supplements their hydration adequately. It is also great for older cats; 30-40% of cats over the age of 10 end up with some form of kidney disease, and wet food (while not curative) helps ease many of the symptoms. It is definitely on the pricier side—we pay about $25 every 24 days for wet food (and that’s just Agnes, so we are about to double that). We practice combination feeding, meaning Agnes and Margaret get both wet and dry food. According to our vet at the Cumberland Animal Hospital, an all-wet diet is her preference for cats, but if there are budgetary restraints, supplementing with small amounts of dry food is still healthy for your cat.
Foods That Are Toxic to Cats and Must Be Avoided
It is imperative to know what is potentially toxic to your cats to avoid accidental poisoning. Some of the most common toxic foods are chocolate, garlic, grapes, raisins, alcohol, caffeine, raw eggs, and bones. As much as it may seem like they want to do a shot with you, keep them away from the tequila. A lot of common household plants are also toxic to cats, including hyacinth, tulips, azaleas, and lilies (the most toxic). Tell your situationship to Google his flowers before he brings them by. Check out this list for common household toxins and this list for poisonous plants. Avoid accidental poisoning by keeping toxic items in cupboards your cat does not have access to. Unlike dogs, cats can access cabinets and high spaces with ease, so choose a space you know for certain they cannot get into. If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seizures—anything out of the ordinary for your cat—contact your vet immediately.
As always, every cat is different, and you have to listen to them in regard to their diet. If they start getting chubby, reduce their caloric intake. If they seem low energy, increase it. It took some trial and error with Agnes, but we finally got her to a diet that keeps her healthy and energetic. Remember to always discuss your cat's diet with a vet, especially if you are unsure of what brands and amounts will be best for your cat.
Come back next week to chat about cat grooming and tips for trimming your cat's nails. Remember to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for Agnes and Margaret updates (and photos!).
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