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When you get a cat for the first time, looking after them can often feel like a daunting task. After all, this little fur ball is going to be reliant on you for all their needs. And it can make you feel very responsible, especially when it comes to food. That’s why you should learn and know about what can i feed my cat as there are some foods that isn’t applicable or advisable for cats to eat.
But if you have never looked after a cat before, it can feel like a bit of a minefield. You might be clueless about what they need to eat. In fact, first-time cat owners are often left perplexed and wonder what they should be feeding their cat. After all, they don’t want to end up giving them something which will make them ill.
For starters, you need to know that you should feed your cats twice a day. Opt for first thing in the morning and then just before you go to bed. That way, they will be full enough to last them throughout the day.
And if you want to make sure your kitty is going to eat a well-balanced and highly nutritious diet, you should read on for some tips on what you should feed your cat. And remember not all cats have the same tastes. While some cats will want to eat loads, other felines will only want a little food at a time. So play it by ear when it comes to your cat so that you don’t end up feeding them too much. After all, you don’t want an overweight cat as it will lead to many health problems.
Opt for a Nutritious Wet Food
A lot of people opt for a food pouch for their cat. After all, they often prefer this to dry food as they like the wet taste of the meat, and it can give them some much-needed hydration as a high proportion of it is made of water. However, you need to be very careful which canned food you go for. Some of the cheaper options have little nutritional value. And if you want to make sure your cat has a long and healthy life, you need to make sure they are having high quality food. Therefore, always check the label to make sure the wet food has premium ingredients.
Opt for one which only has additives which are beneficial to your cat’s diet. Make sure the actual meat makes up a high proportion of the pack. If you don’t recognize the ingredients, put the wet food back on the shelf. You can often find reviews of the best cat food you can buy online. As well as coupons which will help reduce the cost of the food.
Going for a well-respected brand is often a good idea. For instance, opting for something similar to Royal Canin will help you make sure your cat is eating the best wet cat food for them. And then you can be sure they are getting the nutrition they need.
Choose a Complete Dry Cat Food
Some cat owners go for a dry-food diet instead, or in addition to the wet food. After all, kibbles often have all the nutrients they need so they can skip the wet food. It’s mostly made up of protein and fat which is important for your feline. Dry food is also much better for their teeth than wet food. A lot of vets highly recommend that you just go for kibble instead of wet food. You can find complete dry cat food which is packed full of the nutrients that your cat needs. Just make sure you check out the packaging first.
You want a dry food which has a message from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on the back. This means that it’s been tested and does contain the right amount of nutrients for your cat. If you are unsure of which one to go for, your vet is bound to sell complete dry food which is best for your cat. Therefore, ask them to be pointed in the right direction.
Add in a Few Treats
While you don’t want to give your cats too many treats, a few a day is a great way to spoil them and allow them to have a tasty snack. After all, if they have been well-behaved, treats can help to reward them. Although you can’t really train cats with treats like you might do with a dog, treats do come in useful if you need to take them to the vets or get them to move out of a certain room. So, it’s always handy to have a few with you.
Just make sure you do pick something which is still quite healthy. For instance, you can get tasty sticks which are chewy and are great for your cats to snack on. Just make sure you read the guidelines so that you don’t end up giving them too much. After all, you don’t want to send them hyper as you have gone overkill on the treats. Also, if you are trying to bond with your furry friend, treats are a great way to show them you come in peace!
Only Give a Few Feline-Friendly Human Foods
Some pet owners opt to give their cat a diet similar to their own. After all, it saves paying out a small fortune on best cat food. And it’s much easier to prepare if you are making it for yourself. But it’s best not to go overboard on giving them human foods.
Below is a short video about some food that you should never feed you cat:
After all, there are only some foods which they can digest well, and you could end up giving them too many calories when you are giving them real food. However, if you do want to give them some feline-friendly foods, make sure it’s something along the lines of cooked turkey, chicken or lamb. Also, canned tuna is often a popular choice with your kitty, and you can give them a mouthful of cheese if they fancy it. Just avoid things like chocolate and onion which can be toxic to your kitty.
And remember to give them water and some cat milk to complete their daily diet. However, cow’s milk can cause intestinal upsets like diarrhea.