Introduction

A well balanced diet can help your cat to live a long and healthy life. With so many different types of pet food diets on the market today, it can be very confusing trying to figure out which diet is best for your cat. The following guidelines and recommendations can help you to choose the right diet for your feline friend.

Guidelines for Selecting Your Cat's Diet

Cats are true carnivores, and they need a specialized diet. Commercial cat food diets that have the seal of approval from the Association of American Feed Control Officials contain all the nutrients that your cat needs. Feeding your cat a pet food that has this seal of approval is the first step towards choosing the right diet for your cat.

Cat foods may contain a variety of ingredients, and many of these ingredients are ‘filler’ ingredients, such as corn, that your cat does not need in its diet. Higher quality cat foods contain fewer ingredients, and a high percentage of meat in the diet. While these foods are often more expensive than lower quality cat foods, your cat will eat less food and eliminate less waste if you feed a higher quality diet.

Your Cat's Age is Important

A cat’s dietary needs change throughout its life, and it is important to feed the right type of diet during different stages of life. Kitten diets should only be fed up to 4 months of age, adult cat food should be fed until the cat is 6-7 years of age, and senior cat food should be fed for the remainder of the cat’s life.

If your cat has a specific medical condition, such as bladder stones, kidney disease, or diabetes, specialized prescription diets can make a big difference on your cat’s health. Your veterinarian will recommend these diets for your cat.

Soft food and dry food can both be a part of your cat’s diet; every cat enjoys a meaty treat now and then! However, do not feed your cat a diet that is based on soft food; this type of diet can cause severe dental problems in cats.