Cats are obligate or true carnivores, which means they need a meat-based diet to thrive. Giving premium quality cat food that is appropriate for your pet’s life stage and health is of optimum importance. Being obligate carnivores, cats have several special dietary requirements that are unique to that of humans, dogs, and other animals.

Which is the best cat food?

The best cat food meets your pet’s nutritional needs adequately. It should be premium quality, complete and balanced, and specially formulated for your pet’s life stage or health status. Always go for cat food products from reputable pet food companies and steer clear of generic ones. When buying pet food, never compromise quality over quantity, even if it means paying more for premium quality that is backed by pet nutritionists, feeding trials, etc.

Also read: How To Read Pet Food Labels & Ingredient Lists

What foods should cats avoid?

The list of foods that should not be given to cats is quite long. Here’s the top 10:

1. Milk and dairy products including cheese, cream
2. Chocolate
3. Dog food
   
4. Bread and raw dough
5. Onions
6. Garlic
7. Chives
8. Grapes, raisin
9. Currants
10. Caffeine

Should I leave food out for my cat all day?

The practice of leaving food out so a pet cat can eat anytime he wants is NOT recommended by many experts because it can increase your pet’s risk of becoming overweight because of overeating and consuming more calories than what is needed by the body.

Why is my cat always hungry?

There are several reasons why a cat seems to always be hungry. These include the following:

• Parasites -- Your cat may be harboring intestinal worms. Roundworms compete with their host’s nutrition, taking most of it before the cat’s body can absorb and metabolize the nutrients from what they have eaten.

• Hyperthyroidism -- The excessive amounts of thyroid hormone in the body can significantly increase the cat’s metabolic rate, a process that entails burning a lot of calories.

• Diabetes -- Sugar which is an important source of energy in the body remains in the blood because a lack of insulin prevents sugar from being utilized by the cells of the body.

• Bored or lonely -- Cats that don’t receive adequate physical and mental stimulation can become bored. With nothing else to do, they will seek out food to keep them occupied.

• Depression -- Just like in humans, depressed cats tend to overeat, a behavior that experts often refer to as ‘self-soothing behavior’.

• Poor nutrition or not enough food-- Eating poor-quality cat food does not meet the nutritional needs of cats and this can make them always hungry.

• Aging -- As cats age, the ability of their body to digest fat and protein becomes less efficient and that can eventually lead to a calorie deficit. This can cause senior cats to eat more to get more calories in.

Is cheese bad for cats?

Cheese is not toxic for cats, however, it’s not a natural part of a feline diet. You can give cheese in moderation, perhaps as a treat. However, if your cat is lactose intolerant, eating cheese could trigger digestive upsets. Since cheese contains salt, cats with a heart condition or on a low-sodium diet should not be given even a small bite of cheese.

What is actually in cat food?

Complete and balanced cat food contains all the essential nutrients that cats need for healthy body function. According to the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), a cat requires 41 essential nutrients. In pet food, these nutrients are classified into 6 main groups -- proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. To meet the specific needs of a specific life stage, pet nutritionists formulate the right balance of nutrients for cats. Premium quality cat food should be complete, balanced, digestible, palatable, and safe.