You’ve heard the saying: “You are what you eat”, right? This rule applies not only to us humans but also to the feline world. What ends up in the bowls of our purring pets greatly impacts their health, well-being, and energy levels. And what should end up there, above all, is meat, because cats are strict carnivores and their need for extras like plants or grains is minimal. Why do you need to know this, fabCat? Because although the choice of cat foods today is vast, not all food is equal. Find out if you’re accidentally putting feline fast food in your kitty’s bowl and explore with us why it’s worth ensuring good nutrition for your cat.

Serve Me Meat, Hooman

A cat is a carnivore – every fabCat knows this. They’re not interested in pesto pasta, fresh vegetables, or aromeowtic pizza. Only meat matters. Does the type of meat matter? Of course – both from the perspective of taste (since every kitty has the right to have different preferences) and nutrition. It’s not for nothing that only some foods are labeled “complete” or “nutritionally adequate.” You’ll want to choose these ones, fabCat, to form the foundation of your kitty’s diet. Complementary foods, filets, and treats are just extras to the main meal.

Why is this important? Because a cat gets all the essential nutrients from meat. They derive energy from animal proteins and fats, not carbohydrates. This is the basis of their diet. They also need taurine (present in animal products and added as a supplement to commercial cat foods), animal fats, and fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin A, found e.g. in the liver. A cat’s body cannot extract the same nutrients from plants. Meat is a must.

How should it be served? Preferably in small portions. A cat is a natural hunter, so they eat more often but in smaller amounts. If your schedule allows, give your cat several small meals a day – don’t fill the bowl to the brim to sit half-eaten from morning to evening. In the world of “eat once, but eat well” supporters, cats prefer the life of a snacker.

Addicted to Cat Crisps: Read the Ingredients, fabCat

Turn a pack of cat food over and find the ingredients list. What do you see? Perhaps chicken with a detailed percentage of muscle meat and offal, maybe “meat and animal derivatives,” or maybe something along the lines of “dried poultry protein.” At first glance, everything suggests we have meat-based food here, right? Well, looks can be deceiving. It’s not just the presence of meat in the food that matters, but how much of it there is and its quality. There’s a big difference between food with 83% chicken, of which over 70% is muscle meat, and food “with chicken,” where the meat content might be just a few percent, and the so-called chicken could be feathers, beaks, claws, skins… all delicacies, right? In low-grade foods, the list of non-meat additives is usually much longer – even if they’re not grains, you’ll find potatoes, peas, and all sorts of thickeners, sugars, and flavor enhancers. It’s like eating curry-flavored chips and claiming you’ve actually eaten curry. Oops!

What about dry food, then? Can you find one with relatively good ingredients? Sure! But considering its form, it’s still not the best choice. Dry food doesn’t provide your cat with enough hydration, and cats are naturally reluctant to drink water after every meal. This can lead to health problems caused by dehydration. Dry food also contains more fillers and flavor enhancers – it would be hard to give the food the right form and keep it fresh without them. Dry food is a convenient way to feed your cat but comes with many drawbacks that you need to be aware of.

Read more about the types and forms of cat foods available on the market on our blog: https://blog.mykotty.pl/en/2021/05/04/different-ways-to-feed-a-cat-dry-food-wet-food-barf-and-whole-prey/ 

A Real Feast or a Delicious-Looking Marketing Trick?

Why have poor-quality foods dominated the market? Our first thought: it was probably the price. However, you might be surprised. If you look at the price per kilogram, many good quality foods are better priced than popular supermarket brands. Easy availability? Yes, that’s definitely an important factor for a cat Guardian who might forget to place an online order or simply prefers in-store shopping. But the biggest factor here is marketing. Big, recognizable brands can afford to create advertising that knocks you off your feet. The cats look super happy in them. They enjoy everything. Their fur shines, their energy is high, and the purring never ends. How could you not be convinced? Unfortunately, not every food pouch seen in an ad is a feast worth serving your cat. Not if you care about their long-term health and well-being.

How Does Diet Affect Cat Health?

Going back to the initial thought: you are what you eat. A body fueled by good, nutritious meals functions better in every aspect, and this applies to both us, humans, and our cats. Lack of sufficient meat, poor quality meals, excess sugars, and carbohydrates, as well as vitamin deficiencies in a cat’s diet, can cause weakness, apathy, neurological problems, litter box issues, chronic diseases, diabetes, metabolic disorders, severe kidney problems, and even behavioral issues. Cats that are not properly nourished live shorter lives, visit the vet more often, and when they cross the rainbow bridge, they often do so in suffering. Why risk it when creating a good diet for your cat, even based on commercial foods, is no challenge in this day and age? Be an aware cat Guardian, fabCat – your kitties will thank you for it 🙂