“I just got a new cat, and I don’t know what to feed it. There are so many cat foods to choose from, how do I know what is the best for my cat?”
As with many questions, the answer is, “It depends.” There are a number of dry and canned products on the market that you can feed your cat.
• Look for a cat food that carries the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) label. This will ensure that it is a complete and balanced food.
• Check if the food is specific to a stage in the cat’s life (kitten, adult, older cat, pregnant, etc).
• Some products say they are formulated for “all” life stages. These foods can simplify feeding if you have multiple cats of different ages.
• Cats are not dogs. Dog food does not meet your cat’s nutritional needs, and can be fatal to your cat over time. For example, unlike dogs and other mammals, cats cannot make taurine from other amino acids in the body, so they need taurine from the animal-based protein in their food.
• If you want to feed a homemade diet, consult with your veterinarian to ensure you are your cat is getting a balanced diet.
• Provide your cat with lots of fresh, clean water at all times.
Buy your cat’s food in amounts they can consume within a short period. Store dry cat food in an airtight container, and make sure it is not past the expiration date. Canned cat food is generally more expensive than dry food, but it has a long shelf life when unopened and is highly palatable to most cats. If you only feed partial cans, keep the unused portion in the refrigerator.
How much should you feed? That depends on a number of factors:
• How old is your cat?
• How active is your cat?
• Is your cat an indoor or an outdoor cat?
• Has your cat been spayed or neutered?
Cats generally like to eat small meals all through the day. You can put out half of their food in the morning and half when you get home from work, or you can leave dry food available all day in a self-feeding bowl. It is important to watch your cat and ensure they are not becoming overweight, as this can lead to health problems. If you have questions about your cat’s weight, nutritional needs or condition, please consult with your veterinarian.
You can give your cat the occasional table scrap (cooked meat, eggs or fish), but it should be limited to 5 percent of their daily calories. You can also try feeding small amounts of fresh cantaloupe, steamed broccoli, or mashed potatoes (no butter).
Do not feed:
• Raw meat or raw fish
• Raw eggs
• Dairy (milk, cheese)
• Grapes or raisins
• Onions, chives or garlic
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
Learn more about the Everett Animal Shelter. Plan a visit, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and check out all of our adoptable pets. And be sure to watch our featured Pet of the Week on the Everett Channel.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
