Cat Nutrition - FAQs 1
Dr. Kathleen Laux
Rondout Valley Veterinary Associates
Can my cat live on a vegetarian diet?
A cat cannot live on a vegetarian diet. A cat is an obligate carnivore, which means that it has to have a substantial amount of meat in its diet. A vegetarian diet will not meet all of your cat's nutritional needs, and they could suffer from weaker bones, impaired eyesight, heart issues, and other problems due to missing nutrients.
Is wet food more nutritious than dry cat food?
Wet food is not necessarily more nutritious than dry cat food. Dental health in cats largely depends on their genetics, not whether they're eating wet or dry food. While wet food does have more moisture, which can be beneficial for cats with urinary tract issues, it does not necessarily mean that they need to be solely on a wet food diet.
Are prescription diets better for my cat?
Prescription diets are not necessarily better for a healthy cat without any medical conditions. However, if your cat has an underlying condition such as urinary tract disease, kidney disease, or thyroid disease, then prescription diets for those particular diseases are the best option for your cat.
If my outdoor cat hunts, does that mean he's missing something in his diet?
An indoor, outdoor, or outdoor-only cat will hunt because it's genetically programmed to do so. It does not necessarily mean that they're missing any nutrients from their diet.
Will human food make my cat overweight?
A lot of human food will definitely make your cat overweight. What we as humans consider a small amount can still be quite a few calories for a cat. So, it is recommended to be very careful with human food.
Will free choice feeding make my cat overweight?
Free choice feeding, where cats have access to food all the time and regulate their own eating, often works okay in the kitten stage of life. However, most adult cats will overeat and become overweight with free feeding. Only a limited number of adult cats can properly regulate the amount they need.
What are some other myths about cat nutrition that you hear as a veterinarian?
Another myth is that a sole meat diet for a cat is balanced. This is not true as there are certain nutrients that come from the grains or vegetable part of a diet that will be missing in a meat-only diet. Home cooking for cats is definitely a lot harder than it is for a dog. So, it is recommended to stick to a well-known brand name of cat food.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (845) 626-5555, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Nutrition - FAQs 2
Dr. Kathleen Laux
Rondout Valley Veterinary Associates
What is the best cat food to feed my cat as it's growing?
All reputable companies produce a kitten formula, an adult formula, and a senior formula. These come in both wet canned versions and dry kibble versions. The key is to find a brand that works for you and then use a combination of dry and wet food that suits your pet. A veterinarian can assist you in determining this balance at an appointment.
There are a few main food companies in the U.S. that employ veterinarians on their staff. All of their food goes through rigorous testing to ensure it meets the appropriate nutrient requirements, passes all safety standards, and is specifically formulated for different life stages. The main companies in the U.S. are Hills, Purina, Royal Canin, and Iams.
Within these companies, there are higher-end brands of food. For instance, Purina ProPlan is their top line of food. However, Purina also produces Beneful, a lower grade food that contains more additives and coloring. Thus, each of these companies offers a variety of diets.
There are also other reputable companies that may not employ veterinarians, but still produce quality food, such as Fromm and Wellness. However, beyond these companies, the quality and testing of the food can become more uncertain.
To summarize, I would recommend sticking to a company that employs veterinarians to ensure that your cat, whether a kitten or a senior, receives the best nutrients possible. If you have specific questions about certain foods, don't hesitate to call our office. Thank you!
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (845) 626-5555, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Nutrition - FAQs 3
Dr. Kathleen Laux
Rondout Valley Veterinary Associates
What kind of food is best to give a kitten?
Kitten food is definitely the best for kittens. They have certain balances of vitamins, and minerals, and are heavier in calories for growth and development. If a food also says "all life stages" on it, that is technically a kitten food because that food has to meet the requirements for the hardest food type, which would be kitten food.
What kind of food is best to give an adult cat?
Foods are typically classified into kitten, adult, and senior categories. Kitten food should be given until about a year of age. I would recommend adult food between a year to eight or nine years of age, and then afterward, consider transitioning to a senior food. Adult foods are a little less calorically dense than kitten food, but they don't have some of the components that senior foods feature.
What kind of food is best to give a senior cat?
Senior cat foods usually incorporate elements like glucosamine for joint health and a different balance of vitamins and minerals for their needs at that age. Some senior cats don't need as many calories as they get older, while others need more, so that can depend on their lifestyle as they age.
What are a cat's basic nutritional requirements?
A cat's basic nutritional requirements include proteins, carbohydrates, water, fats, and then vitamins and minerals.
What supplement should I give my cat?
If you are feeding a kitten, cat, or senior food that is AAFCO-approved, there should be all the things in that food that your cat needs. Supplements shouldn't really be necessary. However, if your animal has a certain medical condition, there might be something recommended on top of that, but I would go by your veterinarian's recommendation.
How can I ensure my cat's getting a balanced diet?
If you're feeding an approved food, all the hard work should be done for you. That food should have passed through testing and should contain everything your cat needs in the proper amounts. Taurine is very important in cats and that is added to all commercial cat foods. If you were doing a home cooking, you could definitely encounter some nutrient deficits.
Is dry food, wet food, or a combination of both best for cats?
I'm okay with any of those combinations. Cats should be more than able to get by on dry food. If you want to add wet food as a treat, that's fine. We just want to make sure that we're not feeding too much dry with the wet, resulting in the cat becoming overweight. And if you have a cat that prefers wet food, that's also okay.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (845) 626-5555, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Nutrition - FAQs 4
Dr. Kathleen Laux
Rondout Valley Veterinary Associates
What foods are toxic to cats?
There are certain basic foods that are toxic to cats. All animals, really, no one should be having chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, chives, garlic, or anything in that family. Certain nuts, like macadamia nuts, and then also parts of the avocado, can be toxic. And cats, even though these are not foods, there are certain plants that can be brought into the house, like poinsettias or lilies, that can be very dangerous to them as well.
Can I feed my cat human food?
You could give your cat some human food in very moderation. We always need to keep in mind that what seems like a little bit of human food for a cat is actually quite a few calories and can definitely contribute to them being overweight. And we want to make sure that what we're feeding them is not too fatty, and that it's stuff that agrees with them.
How do I know if the food I'm giving my cat is making him sick?
Usually food intolerances show up in one of two ways. One can be vomiting or soft stool. The other is a cat can have food allergies in the sense that they're very itchy and they're licking and chewing at themselves excessively. If those things are happening, then a diet trial might be something to look into.
Can changing my cat's diet suddenly cause harm?
Changing a diet suddenly can definitely cause some GI upset in animals, especially cats. So every time we change a diet, we try to transition that slowly over about a 5-7 day period where we add more and more of the new and take away more and more of the old food.
How does an elimination diet work?
An elimination diet, basically, we usually use what's called a hydrolyzed protein diet. So the things in this diet are broken down to such a small amino acid level that the body cannot have an allergic reaction to it. Once we have done this diet trial on this very special food for eight to 12 weeks, if we have seen definite improvement, that definitely moves up on our list of things that there may be a food intolerance or allergy going on here. If those things have improved, then we can start to add back in slowly, one thing at a time, usually every four weeks. We don't want to do anything too quickly. And if something starts to go back downhill, then very likely that food is the culprit.
How do I know if my cat has eaten something toxic?
Sometimes it can be hard to know if your cat has eaten something toxic, but if you have any suspicions, you should definitely give your veterinarian a call. Make sure they can guide you on what the next steps are. And if they're showing any signs of illness, vomiting, kind of being out of it, acting unusual, then they should be seen right away.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (845) 626-5555, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Nutrition - FAQs 5
Dr. Kathleen Laux
Rondout Valley Veterinary Associates
How does nutrition impact the health and well-being of my cat?
Good nutrition is the basis of all healthy tissues. Having a nice hair coat, good skin, healthy heart, good intestinal tract, strong bones, everything comes from the building blocks of good nutrition.
What are the nutritional requirements for a cat?
Cats' nutrient requirements include protein, which is very important in building muscle, fats for energy, and carbohydrates as a big energy source. They also need vitamins, including amino acids in the diet. Cats are unique in that they have to get enough taurine amino acid in their diet or they can have major heart issues. They also need enough water for hydration and minerals.
Will my cat's nutritional requirements change throughout their life as a kitten, adult and senior cat?
Yes, their nutritional requirements will change throughout their life. Kittens require more calories and different ratios of certain vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. Adults need a more stable diet, and seniors can require less calories if they're less active, but some may need more calories or different diets due to certain medical conditions.
What are some signs and symptoms of poor cat nutrition in my pet?
Poor cat nutrition can result in a dull or rough hair coat, smelly hair coat or skin, inconsistent eating habits, changes in their stool color or volume or texture, changes in weight, and sometimes behavioral changes.
What are some common food allergies in cats and how can I tell if my cat is suffering from them?
Food allergies in cats can be complex. The best way to tell is if your cat is having issues with itching, scratching and general allergy symptoms. Sometimes fish can cause food allergies in cats. We use elimination diet trials to see if removing certain foods improves their health.
When it comes to cat food, what and how much should I be feeding them?
That depends on the cat. It can be a combination of dry and wet food. Most indoor cats need very few calories to maintain their weight, sometimes as low as an eighth cup of dry food twice a day. More active cats might need up to a half to three-fourths cup of dry food throughout the day.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (845) 626-5555, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram