Everything you need to know about cat nutrition
What should a cat's diet be like? On this page we discover all the useful information about its nutrition based on age, lifestyle... and much more!
On this page we see:
- The ideal diet for cats based on age and lifestyle
- Natural cat food: what ingredients should it contain?
- What NOT to Feed Cats
- How many times a day do cats eat?
- Discover our Alcat® products
The ideal diet for cats based on age and lifestyle
An ideal diet for cats must be based on a balanced, complete diet composed of the best ingredients . In addition to this, it is essential to focus on the different stages of development of the animal and therefore ask the question: " What should the cat's diet be like? puppy compared to that of an adult? ”. Finally, it is also necessary to take into consideration the sterilization factor.
Let's see the main characteristics of a healthy diet based on the different stages of development of the cat.
Feeding a kitten
For kittens, the ideal diet consists of frequent meals, about 5-6 a day , to facilitate weaning through small tastes of food. Given the fragility of their stomach at this age, it is important to ensure that their food is:
- rich in prebiotics for good intestinal health;
- with choline chloride to promote the assimilation of fats;
- with a correct supply of methylsulfonylmethane to help joint development.
Feeding the adult cat
Once grown, your cat will need a nutritious and balanced diet, capable of maintaining its well-being and always being at its maximum energy .
In particular, the ideal diet for an adult cat must be rich in:
- Proteins
- Vitamins
- Mineral salts
Feeding a neutered cat
Finally, here are some tips on the ideal food for a neutered cat. Neutering tends to make the cat calmer and more sedentary , which is why it does not need the same caloric intake as an adult cat that has not undergone this operation.
It is also true, however, that a neutered cat feels hungrier than before, despite his metabolism being slower . How then can we create a balanced diet that meets all these needs?
Here are some tips:
- reduce the amount of fat to avoid obesity problems;
- focus on animal-based proteins to promote lean muscle mass;
- Make sure you have enough essential amino acids to help burn fat.
Natural cat food: what ingredients should it contain?
What is meant by “natural” cat nutrition ?
To ensure that our cat follows a correct diet , it is important that his food contains only quality products but above all natural and therefore without colorants or preservatives.
If you choose a kibble-based diet for your cat, here are some features to consider before purchasing:
- it is important that they are a complete and balanced food, without the need for further supplements;
- they must contain the right amount of vitamins , mineral salts , raw proteins of animal origin and raw fibres to guarantee all the nutrients necessary for the cat ;
- must help maintain the cat's vitality and well-being throughout all stages of development;
- it is important that they are formulated in such a way as to be easily digestible ;
- check that their composition can guarantee the right intestinal well-being and the good maintenance of the bacterial flora, especially in the elderly. The presence among the ingredients of fructooligosaccharides and yucca schidigera, for example, is an excellent sign!
What NOT to Feed Cats
Now that we have clarified the correct nutrition of the cat, let's see what are some of the foods to avoid to protect its health:
Chocolate: Like dogs, chocolate can be lethal for cats. This is due to theobromine , a natural alkaloid found in all types of chocolate, which causes tremors, palpitations and heart attacks;
Scraps and bones: we often give some of our leftovers to our cats because we know they love them. The way we cook our food, however, may not be suitable for them and we risk causing them annoying intestinal problems;
Onion and chives: Onion can be very harmful to cats as this food causes a significant decrease in the amount of red blood cells , causing a state of anemia. Chives, on the other hand, can cause gastrointestinal disorders ;
Grapes: here is another food that is harmful to both dogs and cats. Grapes, in fact, probably because of their acidity, can compromise the proper functioning of the kidneys of our kittens;
Raw eggs, fish and meat : The bacteria in raw eggs, fish and meat can cause malabsorption of vitamin B , which is essential to prevent the onset of skin problems in cats. In the worst cases, however, the consumption of these foods can even lead to the death of the cat.
It must be recognized that, in general, cats tend to have a very delicate stomach , which is why it is important that their diet is balanced, careful and based on dry food : the best way to guarantee our feline friends all the nutritional properties they need.
How many times a day do cats eat?
Once you have identified the perfect diet, it is important to understand how much food to give your cat .
While dogs are able to ingest large quantities of food at once and it is therefore necessary to intervene to ensure that they do not overdo it, cats are able to independently decide how much to eat .
Once you have provided him with a sufficient quantity of kibble, in fact, he will divide it into several daily portions , without running the risk of him eating too much.
Obviously the quantity of kibble is not the same for all age groups, so you have to be careful to adjust the doses according to the different needs :
puppies gradually start eating up to five times a day . In fact, for the first 6 months their stomach is able to assimilate smaller doses that increase as they grow;
adult cats , on the other hand, can eat up to ten times a day , well distributed throughout the day. To regulate the quantity of kibble to pour into the bowl, the ideal is to rely on the daily rations recommended on the package;
older cats, on the other hand, are more delicate and have different energy needs than kittens and adults, and eat approximately two or three times a day and must consume easily digestible meals;
Finally, here's how to regulate with neutered cats . These cats tend to lead a more sedentary lifestyle, which is why a couple of meals a day are more than enough.
However, if you have any doubts about whether your cat is eating too much or too little , don't worry. Check out our website and you'll find all the useful information about the doses to administer, calculated based on the cat's age and weight.
Discover our Alcat® products
Alcat®Super Premium Quality offers three types of kibble to ensure your cat the best possible nutrition, let's see them together:
ALCAT KITTEN CHICKEN One Size
Alcat® Kitten Chicken : these are chicken-based kibbles formulated for kittens up to 12 months of age . Rich in proteins, vitamins and mineral salts that help strengthen bones and muscles , these kibbles are also rich in fructooligosaccharides to maintain the well-being of the bacterial flora and yucca schidigera to mitigate the odor of feces and litter.
ALCAT ADULT CHICKEN One Size
Alcat® Adult Chicken : for cats that have already completed their first year of age , these kibbles are ideal. Also in this case the main ingredient is chicken and there is a large quantity of vitamins , proteins , mineral salts and fibres that promote intestinal well-being. They are completely free of added colourings and preservatives and are suitable for all breeds and sizes .
ALCAT STERILIZED CHICKEN One size
Alcat® Sterilized Chicken: as far as the nutrition of the sterilized adult cat is concerned, these kibbles are perfect, in fact they help to keep the cat fit and healthy despite its more sedentary life . Completely natural, these kibbles are also enriched with two fundamental ingredients: fructooligosaccharides that contribute to the well-being of the bacterial flora and yucca schidigera that helps to mitigate the odor of feces and litter.
Find out more about our Alcat®Super Premium Quality cat food!