Feeding Your Bestie Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Cats

By DANIEL J. SANFORD

Do you love your cat and want to feed them in the best possible way? Do you want to learn how to choose and use the best food, water, and nutrients for your cat, based on their age, activity level, health condition, and taste, smell, and texture preferences? Do you want to know how to adjust your cat's feeding schedule and portion size, according to their weight and body condition, and according to the type and quality of the food they eat? Do you want to discover how to make feeding time a positive and rewarding experience for your cat, by providing them with physical and mental stimulation, such as toys, games, puzzles, or interactive feeders? Do you want to understand and respect your cat's individuality and personality, by not forcing or coercing your cat to eat something they don't like, or to eat in a way they don't want to? Do you want to deal with common feeding problems and behaviors, such as picky or fussy eating, food stealing or begging, or food guarding or aggression? Do you want to feed your cat according to their life stage, such as kitten, adult, senior, or pregnant or lactating? Do you want to feed your cat with special diets for health conditions, such as allergies, diabetes, kidney disease, or obesity? Do you want to feed your cat with love and care, by bonding with your cat, improving your communication, and enhancing your happiness?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this book is for you. This book is a comprehensive and practical guide on how to feed your cat in the best possible way, by following some guidelines, steps, and tips, that are based on scientific research, expert advice, and personal experience. This book will help you ensure that your cat is well-fed, well-hydrated, and well-nourished, and that your cat is healthy, happy, and content. This book will also help you enjoy the benefits of feeding your cat, such as strengthening your relationship, expressing your emotions, and sharing your life.

This book is written by a cat lover, owner, and expert, who has years of knowledge and experience in feeding cats. He has gathered and compiled the most relevant and useful information, tips, and tricks on how to feed your cat, and has presented them in an easy-to-read and easy-to-follow format, that is suitable for beginners and advanced cat owners alike.

This book is the ultimate resource for anyone who wants to feed their cat in the best possible way, and who wants to make feeding time a bonding experience. Whether you have a new kitten, an adult cat, a senior cat, or a pregnant or lactating cat, this book will help you feed your cat with love and care, and make your cat happy and content. Don't wait any longer, get this book today, and start feeding your cat in the best possible way. You and your cat will thank me later.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ANAFO FRANCIS
• Release date: Dec 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223408000

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Basics of Feline Nutrition

CATS ARE INCREDIBLE animals that have developed into obligate carnivores, meaning they must consume animal protein in order to live. Cats must get several vital nutrients from meat since, unlike people and dogs, they are unable to manufacture them from plant sources. For this reason, it is essential for your cat's health and wellbeing to provide them a diet that is both balanced and species-appropriate.

This chapter will teach you about the essential elements of a cat's food and the fundamentals of feline nutrition. Additionally, you will discover how to choose the best commercial cat food for your cat by reading cat food labels. You will know more about what your cat requires and how to feed them by the conclusion of this chapter.

What Cats Need in Their Diet

Water, protein, fat , carbs, vitamins, and minerals are the six main components of a cat's diet. Each of these parts has a distinct purpose and is necessary for the proper operation of your cat's body. Let's examine each of them in greater depth.

Halite

Since water is necessary for every cell and organ in your cat's body, it is the most crucial element of their diet. Water helps carry nutrients and oxygen through the body, flush away impurities, lubricate joints, and keep the body hydrated. Because they are prone to dehydration and kidney issues, cats require access to clean, fresh water at all times.

COMPLETE PROTEIN

The primary source of energy and the building components of your cat's body are proteins. Amino acids are the building blocks of life and make up protein. Only 11 of the 22 amino acids that cats require to operate correctly can be synthesized by them. The remaining 11 amino acids are referred to be necessary amino acids since they can only be found in diet. The amino acids taurine, arginine, methionine, and lysine are among those that cats require. These amino acids play a number of roles in immune system function, skin and coat health, heart health, eyesight, and reproduction.

Essential fatty acids, or beneficial fats required for the health of your cat's skin, coat, brain, and eyes, are also found in protein. Arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are a few of the important fatty acids for cats. These fats aid in controlling blood pressure, blood coagulation, and hormone production. They also have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer qualities.

Since animal protein is more accessible and easily digested than plant protein, cats require high-quality animal protein in their diet. Additionally, animal protein has higher concentrations of the vital fatty and amino acids required for cats. Cats should eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products as their main sources of animal protein. Plant-based foods like grains, veggies, and fruits can also include tiny quantities of protein for cats, but they shouldn't be the primary source of protein in their diet.

Sickness

For your cat, fat provides an additional source of energy and vital nutrients. Calories are the energy units your cat requires to carry out daily tasks, and fat gives them to you. Additionally, fat facilitates your cat's absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D, E, and K. Additionally, fat gives your cat's food flavor and palatability, which enhances its attractiveness and enjoyment.

A cat's diet should have a moderate quantity of fat because consuming too little or too much might have negative health effects. Obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, and liver disease can all be caused by having too much fat. Malnutrition, dry skin, a dull coat, and poor growth can result from having too little fat. Your cat's requirements for fat vary according on their age, activity level, and overall health. Cats that are adults typically require 15% to 20% of their diet to come from fat, however kittens and pregnant or nursing cats require 25% to 35%.

Since not all fats are created equal, it's also crucial to consider the kind and quality of fat your cat consumes. Because each type of fat has distinct advantages and purposes, cats' diets should balance the three types of fats: polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated. Animal sources, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products, are the main sources of saturated fats. Saturated fats give your cat energy and stability and are solid at room temperature. Plant-based foods including almonds, avocados, and olive oil are good sources of monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties for your cat and are liquid at room temperature. Additionally, plant-based sources of polyunsaturated fats include sunflower, corn, and flaxseed oils. Essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 are given to your cat by polyunsaturated fats, which are liquid at room temperature.

Since their bodies are unable to produce them, cats require diets rich in omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. The body of your cat responds differently to omega-3 and omega-6 because omega-3 has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic qualities, while omega-6 has the opposite effects. Consequently, an excessive or insufficient amount of omega-3 or omega-6 in your cat's diet might lead to health issues. Given that cats are more prone to inflammation and allergies than people, the optimal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 for cats is between 1:5 and 1:10. Since EPA and DHA are the most advantageous forms of omega-3 for cats, fish oil, krill oil, and algal oil are the greatest sources of omega-3 for cats. Since linoleic acid and arachidonic acid are the two most important types of omega-6 for cats, these fats—found in chicken, pork, and safflower oil—are the finest sources of omega-6 for cats.

GLUCOSE

Although they constitute your cat's third source of energy, carbohydrates are not as vital as fat and protein. Sugars, starches, and fibers are the various types of glucose, the most basic type of sugar, that make up carbohydrates. Your cat's brain and muscles run mostly on glucose, which is produced by a process known as gluconeogenesis from protein and fat. Cats can therefore make glucose from other sources, therefore they do not require carbohydrates in their diet.

Carbohydrates, however, have several advantages that make them not always harmful to your cat, including:

Including texture and bulk to your cat's food to