Basic Nutrition For Cats Obligate Carnivores Instructions
- June 13, 2024
- Nutrition
Table of Contents
Basic Nutrition For Cats Obligate Carnivores
Product Information
Feeding your cat a well-balanced and nutritious diet is essential for their overall health and appearance. Luckily, there are plenty of high-quality cat foods available in pet stores that cater to the varying tastes of cats. It is recommended to choose a good quality cat food brand that your cat enjoys and stick with it, as cats do not require a lot of dietary variety. Consistency in their diet helps prevent them from becoming picky eaters. It is important to avoid feeding your cat human food, as certain items like chocolate and raw liver can be toxic to them. Additionally, some human foods may cause digestive upset in cats. If you plan to give your cat cooked meat, make sure to remove any bones, especially from poultry and pork, as they can splinter and potentially harm your cat.
When transitioning from one type of cat food to another, it is recommended to do so gradually over the course of a week. This gradual shift helps prevent digestive upsets. There may be instances where you need to switch cat food brands due to store availability or your cat’s growth into adulthood. By introducing the new food slowly, you can ensure a smooth transition for your cat.
Product Usage Instructions
- Choose a good quality cat food brand that suits your cat’s taste preferences.
- Avoid feeding your cat human food, as it can be toxic or cause digestive issues.
- If offering cooked meat, remove any bones, especially from poultry and pork.
- When switching cat food brands, do so gradually over the course of a week.
- Introduce the new food by mixing small amounts with the current food, gradually increasing the proportion of the new food each day.
- Observe your cat’s response to the new food and monitor their digestion during the transition period.
- Stick with the chosen cat food brand unless necessary to switch due to availability or specific dietary requirements.
By following these usage instructions, you can ensure that your cat receives a balanced and healthy diet, promoting their overall well-being.
INTRODUCTION
Cats are what are known as obligate carnivores. An obligate carnivore is one that must east meat. You cannot just turn her out to graze in a pasture. The digestive tract of cats has been shortened and optimized proteins from meat. They simply don’t have the dental or digestive apparatus to process plant materials. It’s therefore surprising, given their physical inability to process plants, that you will still find cats nibbling on plants from time to time. There are many theories for why cats would nibble plants. They may be trying to balance an upset digestion or add missing vitamins and minerals. Perhaps they simply like the taste. Maybe it’s a combination of factors. The jury is still out on this matter.
USING INSTRUCTION
Fortunately these days, we don’t have to go out and hunt for food to feed our cats. There are a large number of very good, nutritionally balanced foods available in pet stores to satisfy any cats’ tastes. Try to feed good quality food. It really does make a difference in the health and appearance of your pet. Pick one that your cat likes and stick with it. Cats don’t actually need a lot of variety. Changing their food constantly tends to just make them picky eaters. Nutritional requirements for your pet will vary by age and size. What she needs as a kitten will be very different than what she will need as an adult. Be sure to follow the instructions on the bag to avoid feeding too much or too little. The average adult cat will need about one cup of food a day. Cats appreciate consistency in their feeding schedules. Try to feed them at the same time each day. Also, try to keep their bowls out of high traffic areas. It’s hard to eat your dinner when people are stepping on you!
Try not to feed your cat people food. Some things, such as chocolate and raw liver, are actually toxic to cats. Others cause digestive upset. Remove the bones from any cooked meat you might want to give to your cat. Poultry and pork bones in particular are given to splintering and can injure your cat. When you need to switch from one type of food to the other, do so in a gradual process. Shifting gradually from one to the other over the course of a week will help prevent digestive upsets. You may need to switch foods because your store may stop carrying the brand you like or perhaps your kitten has grown old enough to graduate to adult food. Do the changeover slowly and your cat will thank you for it. Feeding treats is something for you to decide if you want to do it. Some people are dead set against them. Others lavish treats on their pets at every opportunity. There are many good cat treats on the market today. Read their directions carefully. You don’t want to overindulge your cat and turn her into a furry beach ball with legs. The only other thing that a cat requires is water. Do your best to keep a nice fresh supply of water available for your pet. With a little thought and planning you can keep your pet healthy and happy for a long time to come.