Just like us, our cat must not swallow anything. Its health depends on it, and often it is better to invest in a diet that is perfectly balanced and of good quality, sometimes a little more expensive, but that will eventually save you veterinarian ... and then all His health is priceless, is not it?
What to give him / her to eat: meal "homemade" or meal "industrial"?
So you have two options for feeding your cat: either you give him leftovers or homemade "specials" specially for him, or you give him an "industrial" ration. That is to say, already prepared and ready to consume, which is found in commerce.
"Homemade" food
If you want to "cook" for your cat, it is important that this meal is balanced and especially adapted to our domestic carnivores. For a ration, this is what you can prepare:
50% lean meat or fish,
20% of puffed rice or cereal flakes (dry weighed)
20% cooked vegetables (carrots or green beans, for example),
10% of balance balance containing dry yeast, table olive oil, mineral and vitamin supplement at a rate of one teaspoon of each ingredient for one adult per day. - according to Wolter (Dietichat, Editions De Vecchi).
Of course this is not the most practical to prepare and sometimes some nutritional compounds like taurine are not present while they are essential to the health of your cat.
For more safety, the clinic proposes to calculate more precisely the daily ration of your cat. This happens in nutrition consultation.
Industrial Food
Following many years of research in veterinary dietetics, you now find in specialized stores food of the highest quality, perfectly adapted to the health of your companion. In many areas, what is expensive is not necessarily the best. This is the case of veterinary dietetics: expensive products are often of very good quality. This phenomenon is linked to the quality of the raw materials used, which are generally of prime choice, in particular protein sources (meat or fish). The difference is immediately apparent in the quality of its hair and its health. You will find these "top-of-the-range" foods at the clinic and an animal health auxiliary will inform you if necessary about the most suitable food. Finally, you should also be aware that, contrary to popular belief, your cat does not need to have a varied diet: it will fit perfectly well to eat the same thing all his life. On the other hand, to impose too sudden and too frequent dietary transitions could cause it some rather troublesome gastrointestinal disorders.
Watering Do not forget that your cat must have free access to his water bowl. Water should always be clean and clear. Some owners want to offer their pet mineral water: it is useless. Drinking tap water is great! Also bear in mind that the cat is an animal that usually finds enough water in its moist food ration and that you will almost never drink it, unlike a cat fed exclusively to croquettes. In order to avoid certain diseases of the bladder, it is interesting to reinforce the watering by arranging for your cat a water fountain: the clinic can rent you one to see if it is suitable for him.
Caution: Increased thirst in a cat is abnormal and should prompt prompt consultation.
Milk
Contrary to popular belief, a cat has no need to drink milk. A weaned cat only drinks milk for gluttony. It should be noted that cats that have not consumed milk for some time become incapable of making the enzyme necessary for its digestion, which causes chronic digestive disorders. For those who have never stopped consuming it, and especially for castrated and sedentary individuals, this is only an additional risk factor for obesity.
How much to feed him?
The distribution of meals must be self-service. Unlike dogs who, gluttonous, eat per meal, most cats usually make between 10 and 20 small meals during the day. Hence the interest of dry foods, which do not spoil in the open air unlike moist foods that dry out quickly and that will soon be shunned by your fine naughty gourmet.
The daily quantities to be distributed depend on the age, weight, character of your purchase (dynamic or lymphatic), lifestyle (sedentary or vagabond) and food brand. Indicative tables are generally available on packaging. In all cases, consider regularly weighing your cat and adapting the quantities distributed according to the results obtained. Your veterinarian is in the best position to help you.
In summary, keep in mind that a cat is not a dog or a human and does not eat like us. Remember also that scientists, not least, have been studying the metabolism of our companions for decades: know how to trust them. Finally, your veterinarian is the doctor, but also the dietician of your cat. Do not hesitate to ask him for advice.
