Choosing the right type of prepared food for your Cat
Provided their nutritional needs are being met, there is no single ‘right’ way to feed your cat.
When it comes to choosing the right prepared food for your cat, it's important to consider their individual needs, as well as their likes and dislikes, plus factors important to you as their owner such as cost, convenience and your personal values regarding the purchasing of food.
Cat food manufacturers blend mixtures of ingredients, including meat and fish, vegetables, cereals, vitamins and minerals to produce foods that will satisfy the nutritional requirements of your cat and achieve the right balance of nutrients. Cat owners who feed a complete commercial cat food can have confidence they are addressing their cat’s nutritional needs.
How to choose the right type of food for your cat
Feeding your cat a balanced and complete diet to meet its nutritional needs is the most important thing you can do for its health and well-being. The type and amount of food to feed your cat depends on a variety of factors, including the cat’s age, size, activity levels and whether they have any specific health considerations.
So, when considering food for your cat, it's important to prioritise the content over the format. From wet to dry, there is a range of options. Your final decision should come down to the preferences of your individual cat, as well as what works well for you.
The key consideration for your cat is whether the food is ‘complete’ and contains the following characteristics:
Complete – provides adequate amounts of all the required nutrients
Balanced – the nutrients are present in the correct proportions
Digestible – your cat is able to digest the food and absorb the nutrients
Palatable – appealing enough to be eaten
Safe – free of toxins or anything which could harm a pet
If you are concerned about any health issues with your cat, please get in touch with your local vet.
Raw feeding
We've put together some resources to ensure safe feeding of raw pet food:
Are processed foods unhealthy?
Processed isn’t a bad word when it comes to pet food. It simply means your pet gets all the nutrients they need in a stable and safe format. “Processed” means anything that has changed from its natural state, so any food that is cooked or frozen, for example, is processed.
Feeding on a budget
With family budgets under strain, UK Pet Food’s animal nutritionists have put together this fact sheet containing advice on how to choose a nutritious and balanced pet food that will suit all purses and preferences.
Hints & tips for feeding your pet on a budget, without compromising on good nutrition: