What makes a healthy diet for your cat?

PetSmart -

You know it's important to feed your cat a healthy diet, but what exactly does that mean?

A healthy diet is one that offers your cat balanced levels of all essential nutrients including:  

• Water makes up approximately 70 percent of your cat's body. Make sure your cat has access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times.
• Carbohydrates supply energy to your cat's brain and muscles. They come from sugars, starches and fiber from plant sources.
• Fats supply energy, help build strong cells and promote nutrient absorption. Too much fat can lead to health issues, so be sure you're feeding the right amount.
• Proteins encourage healthy coat, skin and nails, and support the immune system. They come from both plant and meat sources.
• Vitamins and minerals regulate many different body functions. Some of the most important for cats are taurine, calcium, phophorous and antioxidants like vitamins E and C. 

Smart Tips:

• Feed a Specialty Pet Food (also know as an Advanced Nutrition Food) to ensure your cat is eating a balanced diet formulated for her life stage. Check out PetSmart's Specialty Pet Food Information Center for more information about Specialty Pet Food.
• Feed the right amount; read the food label for recommended feeding guidelines and confirm the amount with your vet.
• Check food for freshness; store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
• Don't feed table scraps or people food -- it can upset your cat's stomach.
• Feed only cat food as dog food is not a sufficient substitute for cats -- dog food can cause heart disease and blindness in cats.

Comments