Guide to Cat Treats
Dr. Roth
Posted by Dr. Roth on
Feeding cats a high-quality, balanced diet is vital for their overall health and well-being. For some pet parents, there may come a time when a change in their cat’s diet is necessary for optimal wellness.
Deciding when and how to change a cat’s diet isn’t always the easiest thing to do; a sudden change could cause some issues. With planning and patience, pet parents can be successful.
Like humans, cats require a balanced diet for optimal health. Proper cat nutrition provides cats with energy, promotes strong muscles, and helps maintain skin and coat health. Along with regular exercise, a nutritious, balanced diet can also help cats keep a healthy weight.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need animal byproducts in their diets. No matter what food a pet parent feeds their cat, the first ingredient should be real meat. Meat provides protein and essential amino acids such as taurine.
High-quality cat food should be high in protein and contain moderate amounts of healthy fats (for skin and coat health). They should also have some carbohydrates and trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. Like all living creatures, water is essential, too.
Pet parents may need to change their cat’s diet for any one of many different reasons:
A sudden change could result in digestive issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and general discomfort. Additionally, a cat may not take kindly to their new food, which could cause them to avoid it altogether. Refusal to eat can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
A gradual transition can make the change easier:
During the transition, pet parents should monitor their cat for signs of potential issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
It’s not uncommon for cats to require a change in their diet. The key to success is making the transition gradually. By introducing a cat to their new food slowly, they’ll avoid potential issues and increase their chances of success.
Fuzzy is here to help 24/7 via Live Vet Chat and can answer any questions or concerns pet parents have about changing their cat's diet and other nutritional needs.