Do you know the overall impact that nutrition has on your cat? You likely think about the foods that you are putting into your body and try to find balance; however, that same attention to detail may not be as high of a priority for your feline friends – even though they depend on you to make that choice. Cat nutrition is important because it helps ensure that you are feeding your cat not only a well-balanced diet that supports their overall health and well-being, but also ensures they have the support needed to continue living a long and happy life.
At Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital, we know how important cat nutrition is to create a healthy foundation for a fulfilling life full of companionship for pet owners. Our goal is to help pet owners find the perfect balance for their unique cat's needs or existing medical conditions to ensure they are receiving the support they need. When you partner with our friendly veterinarians, you can take the guesswork out of cat nutrition and provide your favorite feline with the nutritional support they need the most.
What Nutritional Requirements Do Cats Have?
While most cat owners will not need to worry about specific percentages of different nutrients that their cat is eating, the quality of food that they are being given should be considered. Focusing on pet food manufacturers and the input of The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is often a great place to start to ensure the food you have chosen is meeting basic nutritional requirements and is only composed of high-quality ingredients. Although, working with an experienced veterinary nutritionist that understands the unique nutritional needs associated with conditions is often the best way to find the perfect nutritional profile for your cat.
Like humans, the specific nutritional requirements that a cat needs will change throughout its lifetime. For instance, kittens will often need higher levels of protein and more overall calories simply because they are growing at a rapid pace; however, kitten-specific formulas are rarely required, and most kittens are content eating adult cat food. As a cat gets older, these nutritional requirements could change, particularly if health problems have developed, resulting in the need for prescription or specialized food options.
How Much Food Should Cats Be Fed?
According to most cat nutrition experts, figuring out exactly how much food your cat needs can be a little complicated since their size, life stage and more all should be considered. The best way to determine how much food your cat needs to remain healthy is to talk with a veterinarian so they can create a customized nutrition plan based on a variety of factors and troubleshoot any problems that may be occurring – like a cat eating less than they normally would. Some factors that can impact how much food cats should be fed include:
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Life Stage or Age
As mentioned previously, kittens will often have different nutritional needs than a senior cat. Knowing what life stage the cat is in and what external issues are affecting them can help improve cat nutrition through a customized approach that fulfills their unique needs.
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Energy Levels
Any cat that is extremely active throughout the day will inevitably burn more calories than another cat that just lounges or sleeps all day. If a cat is more playful, they will often need a higher level of calories to compensate for what they are burning to maintain a healthy weight.
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Current Weight
If a cat is not currently at its ideal weight, then it may be necessary to give them larger or smaller portions to encourage a healthy weight range. Although, this too is often dependent on the cat’s age.
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Living Conditions
Indoor cats rarely get as much exercise as outdoor cats and will often require fewer calories to sustain a healthy lifestyle. At the same time, any cat that lives outdoors during the winter may need more food to compensate for its inability to hunt properly.
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Food Types
Although most pet owners may not realize it, there are distinct caloric and portion differences associated with wet and dry cat food. For this reason, it is important to adjust portion sizes based on the type of food or if they are being used together.
How Can I Get a Cat Nutrition Plan?
If you need a cat nutrition plan, the team at Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital is here to make the process easy. We have refined the process of determining the specific nutritional needs of each cat safely and effectively while minimizing problems that your beloved pet will experience. Contact us to get started or schedule your cat nutrition appointment today. We look forward to helping you ensure your pet remains happy and healthy!
Why Choose Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital for Cat Nutrition?
Education is our passion, and our staff will take the time needed to educate pet owners about the specific nutritional needs of their cat. After an examination is completed, our veterinarians can help create a customized nutrition program that pinpoints unique problems that the cat is facing to ensure they remain healthy and happy. No matter what challenges you are facing, we are confident that our cat nutrition programs can help.
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