Cat Food Dilemma!

The cat food that you feed your cat is so important. You can buy so many different variations, and it can be daunting to pick the right one for your cats. Cats can be picky about food, and they do not like changes. Too many changes in a cat’s diet can stress them out, and we do not want to stress out our fur babies any more than we have to.

I have tried using the least expensive cat food because my budget would not allow more expensive foods at the time. However, like humans, our kitties need good food with the appropriate nutrients for good health, shiny coats, and strong teeth and bones. I can tell most bargain pet foods have fillers and by-products in them that are not the healthiest for your pet. They can also cause havoc on your cat’s stomach and digestive tract and don’t offer the quantity of nutrients a cat needs for stable health. I have found Iams® brand dry cat food to be the best for my cats.

It is important to use kitten food for their first year while they are still growing. Your kitten is still considered a baby until they make it to one year, and then they are considered an adult cat and can be switched over to adult cat food. You can choose to feed your cat either canned or dry cat food, but many Veterinarians seem to prefer dry foods. This has a lot to do with the health of your cat’s teeth. Dry foods strengthen their chewing and scrub off food debris. I would like to warn you that once you introduce them to moist cat food, they may reject dry, and it takes a lot of determination on your part to make them tough it out to switch over.

One important thing to remember for your cat’s health is to feed them “cat” food ONLY. This helps them to digest their food properly as well as less vomiting. I have never given my cats people food, not even a taste off my plate. Also, if they never taste people’s food, you can eat in more peace without them jumping up in your lap trying to get to your food.

Another dilemma is deciding whether to give them milk or water. As we all know, cats love milk. Is milk the healthiest way to go? Milk can actually upset a cat’s stomach as much or more than humans or give them diarrhea. Cats need water just like people do. My cats do not get milk at all. They only get water. This again helps with their digestion and less upset tummies or accidents on the floor. I have had cats in the past where I would give them tuna from a can, milk to drink, or even people’s food before I learned my lessons. They ended up with health problems and being at the vet more than I’d like to admit.

I have learned through experience that feeding my cats better cat food, no people food, and no milk, they are now much healthier and happier. They occasionally regurgitate hairballs or get sick because they eat their food too fast (I’ll approach this problem in another blog), but they do not have the stomach problems or other health issues I unknowingly caused them by spoiling them. Not only are they now happier and healthier, but I save in the long run by not having to take them to the vet except for their yearly checkups.