Check if you properly feed your cat

We love her kittens, regardless of whether they are small or large, racial, or moggies. We want them to be happy and especially healthy, but have we ever wondered if we give them the appropriate food that will provide them with all necessary nutrients? There are many different manufacturers of cat food on the market. They offer special food for small kittens, adult cats and pedigree cats, sterilized, as well as relevant to different activity levels: whether they are indoor or outdoor cats (e.g. www.krakvet.pl). However any feed should have the major components which include vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and other optional ingredients.

Vitamins are needed for good eyesight, strong bones, efficient metabolism. Thus, for example Vitamins A, D, E, K improve eyesight and hearing, as well as the appearance of the skin, bones condition, teeth, and muscles and the ability to proliferate and are responsible for normal blood clotting. Vitamin B and Vitamin C ensure good appetite and improve metabolism.

Minerals in turn are required for healthy teeth and bones, as well as they are responsible for the efficient metabolism. Cats in particular need minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and iron chlorides, copper, manganese, zinc and selenium. Unsaturated fatty acids help to maintain healthy skin and hair, they are also responsible for the proper functioning of the reproductive system. They are also the main source of energy, but also improve the absorption of vitamins that dissolve in fat. Their main sources are animal fats, vegetable oil, meat and poultry meals. Carbohydrates and fibres help your cat to maintain energy and are beneficial for digestion. In an animal feed good source of carbohydrates and fibres are cereals such as rice, corn or wheat.

A very important component of cat food are proteins that are necessary for a cat to grow healthy, because proteins are the building blocks of all tissues, ie. Hair, skin, nails, as well as muscles. Good sources of protein are meat, eggs, fish, wheat, dairy and yeast.

Important components of food are also fibres, glucosamine, L-carnitine, which supports the process of conversion of fat into energy, lutein protects the eyes and skin, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) as a source of energy for bacteria in the intestines, mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) - enhance the immune system, as well as taurine protects the heart of the cat, as well as other ailments associated with it.

Depending on the needs of a cat food differs in percentage of fat, protein and other important components. And so: young kittens should consume high-calorie food with high protein content min. 30-40% fatty acid DHA. Older cats after 7 years of age should consume feed lower with fat content than the feed for adult cats, which contain L-carnitine, glucose and chondroitin sulphate, which strengthens the joints. Neutered cats tend to be overweight and are prone to kidney stones, so they should get food with reduced fat content and magnesium and phosphorus. A similar food should be given to pets that are overweight, but it also should contain L-carnitine which accelerates fat burning. Food for indoor cats should also be different from one for those animals that spend most of their time outside. Such feed should contain ingredients to assist digestion, lower fat content, magnesium and phosphorus.

No matter what special needs our cat has and what age is it, the choice of food should be discussed with a veterinarian, because he as a specialist will show us the most optimal food for the health of your pet, and most importantly, which will not hurt it and make it a happy and healthy pet.

• 13 czerwca 2020
• English