How does nutrition impact the health and well-being of my cat?
Nutrition plays a huge part in your cat's health and well-being. If we feed them good nutrition and proper food, they're going to live long, healthy, and happy lives.
What are the nutritional requirements I should be aware of for my cat?
You'll see things like protein, minerals, vitamins, and fat content on the bag, as well as ensuring that they have plenty of water available. I recommend using a well-known brand of food like Hills, Purina, or Iams, anything with what's called an AAFCO standard. AAFCO is a group that rates different foods to ensure it has all the nutrient profiles your cat would need. If you get a food that has that, you can feel comfortable feeding it.
Where do I find AAFCO?
AAFCO will be on the side of the bag. It should be listed under the ingredients, and you can look for that little marker on the bags.
Will my cat's nutritional requirements change throughout their life as a kitten, adult, and then a senior cat?
Definitely. Kittens, who are growing, require a lot more calories and nutrients. Adult cats, if they're spayed or neutered, will have a slightly different nutrient profile than those who aren't. As we get into senior cats, it will depend on different issues they might have, such as hyperthyroidism or kidney disease. It's really important to start getting blood work on your cat, especially when they're younger, so we have something to compare to and can recommend appropriate diets as they get older.
What are some signs and symptoms of poor cat nutrition in my pet?
Poor nutrition can manifest as issues with the skin and coat, such as hair loss or a dry or rough coat. Loss of appetite, changes in weight, changes in stool like diarrhea, and behavior changes like eating too much or too little or hiding are all things we want to check out.
Are there common food allergies in cats, and how can I tell if my cat is suffering from them?
The most common food allergies we see are to chicken and beef, mostly because cats are frequently exposed to them in treats and foods. Signs of food allergies can present as gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea or skin issues, including a dry, brittle coat or skin infections. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to get them checked out.
When it comes to cat food, what and how much should I be feeding them? And what do you recommend the most out of all of them?
This depends on the food you use - kibble, canned, or fresh food. I recommend checking the manufacturer's guidelines for feeding based on your cat's weight profile. Some cats may need a little more or less, but that's usually a good guideline to start. I also recommend offering different kinds of food, especially wet food. If a cat only eats dry food and later develops kidney disease, switching to a wet food diet can be difficult since cats don't appreciate change. Offering them different textures like canned, kibble, and fresh food can help them get used to it.
If you have questions, we would love to answer them for you. Please give us a call at the office at (276) 600-2631, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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