Cat Food: Wet vs. Dry
Having a cat can turn out to be a real challenge for any owner. We all know that these animals are very sophisticated when it comes to their own needs. You can buy them beds worth hundreds of dollars, and they would still prefer the box it came into. The same applies to the food they eat. Cat owners would rather spend a lot of money on special, high priced brand cat food rather than actually taking the time to see what their feline friend would prefer.
The debate over wet food and dry food remains alive. Some think that feeding a cat dry food would deteriorate its teeth, while others think that wet food only fattens them. Unfortunately, there are few people that actually know the pros and cons of each type. If you really love your cat, you will provide it with exactly what it needs.
As we mentioned, when it comes to food, cats can be quite picky. You want to make sure that the food you will buy will also be eaten and not thrown away. Before you make any decisions, you need to take a few things in consideration: your vet?s opinion and your cat?s taste. Unfortunately, taking a cat to the pet shop to pick out its own food can prove to be very difficult.
That is why you need to start small, by going to your vet and asking about the right diet. Some cats have health conditions that require special diets, such as the ones rich in proteins and those rich in vitamins. Your vet can also tell you what type you should be looking for. Dry cat food is usually required for growing and adult cats. Wet cat food is required for kittens and old cats that have developed dental problems. It is that simple. You do not need to spend too much time and money on both choices.
Felines that have stomach problems or need more vitamins usually found in dry food. This type of food usually has a larger concentration of what they need. Aside from that, it also helps them keep their teeth in good health.
As far as wet cat food goes, this type is usually recommended to kittens. Due to the fact that their teeth are still developing, soft food will help them more than your think. They can only eat dry food after 10 months. And let?s not forget about older cats that have a problem in breaking the dry food. They need wet cat food so that they would not hurt their gums. It?s not that they will not try to eat it, but there is a good chance that they will hurt themselves in doing so.
Therefore, the debate over wet and dry cat food is actually based on the cat?s needs and condition. If you are not sure what type to get, feel free to take your feline friend in for a checkup, and let the good doctor guide you in the right direction.
Making Your Own Cat Food
The idea of making home cooked meals for your pet has really caught on fire lately, so to speak. Making a meal for your cat requires that you must first know the basics of what your pet can, and can?t, eat. Since the vast majority of people have internet access, it is not that difficult to do research and stay informed.
There is nothing horribly wrong with cat food that you can buy from pet shops or supermarkets. Many of these products are of a good quality and contain ingredients that a cat?s body will need. However, it is not uncommon for a food product to contain far too little proteins and other essential elements. Some companies do this to cut on costs, and while it works for them, it won?t be so healthy for your cat. This is the reason why a lot of people are starting to make their own home cooked meals for their fluffy friend. Regardless if your cat is an adult or a kitten, they will most likely love and greedily devour your dishes. Home cooked meals are safe, healthy and delicious.
Before you begin however, you will need to understand a few things. First off, that making home cooked cat food requires a lot of time and patience. It will also require a lot of research and careful planning. You need to speak to a vet or a pet nutrition expert before you make this decision. That?s because there are things you need to avoid when feeding your cat.
Humans, by definition, are omnivores. This means that their body can tolerate a lot of meats and vegetables, as well as other food types, such as eggs and dairy. Cats, on the other hand, are strict carnivores, so their diet should mostly consist of meat, with other added elements in order to diversify the taste only! A cat should receive between 60 to 80 percent meat proteins per meal. Try to feed it white meat mostly, as red meat is very high in fats, and can cause your cat to become obese. Be sure to avoid the following ingredients when preparing a meal, as these can be hazardous for a cat?s health: tomatoes, onions, garlic, raw egg whites, grapes and raisins.
Oh, and whatever you do, don?t ever feed your cat a so-called vegan diet. Cats can only get their essential proteins from meat, and there is no vegetarian substitute for those. If you are a vegan, that?s all fine and good, as it is your choice and you have probably taken this decision after giving it a long thought. However, if you feed your cat a vegan diet, you will risk killing it. So if you don?t want to make headlines because of animal abuse, heed this advice!
There are many delicious home cooked recipes on the internet that you can try out. As long as you do your research properly and consult a specialist before proceeding, you will find that home cooked meals are a great idea.
