There is a bewildering amount of cat food on the market. Here's an introductory guide on what to look out for when choosing your cat's food.

Cats like to forage and in the wild would eat frequent small meals throughout the day and night.

However, owners who feed wet food typically feed their cats two large meals a day and owners who feed dry food tend to leave the whole dry food portion out all day. Neither being particularly natural arrangements for a cat.

A particular risk is over-eating, especially from bored cats who turn to food for entertainment. 

An appropriate compromise is to feed a combination of wet and dry.  For example feeding the cat twice daily with a small portion of wet food and to leave out a small portion of quality dry food. 

        Wet Food

        Advantages of wet food include

• Limited carbohydrate in comparison to dry food
• Provides adequate water
• Easier to eat for cats with no or poor teeth
• Nearer to the texture and moisture content of natural prey
• Easy to mix with medication
• Strong smell may encourage ill cats with poor sense of smell to eat

        Dry Food 

        Advantages of dry food include

• Low cost
• Convenience
• Does not spoil so can be left all day
• Flexibility of feeding regime
• No smell
• Preventative dental care

What ingredients should be in the cat’s food?

Protein 

The recommended intake for an adult cat is at least 25% of the daily calories consumed. Taurine must be provided in a cat’s food, which comes from meat, poultry or shellfish. Therefore, cats mustn’t be fed a vegetarian diet.

Fat

At least 9% of calories in the cat’s diet should be provided by fat.

Carbohydrates

A cat derives most of its energy from protein and therefore, there is no nutritional need for carbohydrates.

Vitamins

Vitamin A is important for eyesight, the regulation of cell membranes and the growth of bones and teeth.

B-group vitamins are important for the conversion of food to energy in the body.

Cats produce their own vitamin C and therefore, don’t need this vitamin in the diet

Vitamin D plays a role in the metabolism of calcium.

Minerals

Good diets must have adequate supplies of the major and trace minerals.

So which food should i choose?

Come and speak to us in the shop. We have a qualified nutritionist who can help you. They will explain the differences between the various foods we offer and will only recommend the food we believe right for your own particular cat.