Appropriate diets for cats: Part 4 - The great kibble debate
If you spend any time on the internet and feed your cats kibble you are sure to encounter phrases like "junk food for cats", "causes kidney disease", "species-inappropriate" and be told that you are the worst pet-owner for even thinking about feeding a cat dry food. Is there any truth in this, is kibble truly the root of all evil? Many people have cats that will eat only kibble and refuse all wet food and for people who run shelters or take care of feral cat colonies, it may be the only diet they can afford.
Despite internet "expert" claims, there isn't any solid research to back up these assertions. This is what we do know about dry cat food.
Some pros to feeding kibble:
- solid research does show that it helps keep teeth clean
- it is relatively inexpensive
- it can be left out for cats to nibble on without spoiling
- it is a concentrated source of nutrients and for cats that don't eat much that may be the only way to get them them to consume enough calories
Some cons to feeding kibble
- it is calorie-dense and overfeeding makes cats fat
- cats often eat too much, too fast and then throw everything up
- for cats that don't drink enough, it can cause constipation
- the nature of the manufacturing process means that kibble is higher in carbohydrates than wet food is. It is always better to try and feed a food where the first ingredient is meat, not cereal
- some cats don't drink very much and their urine can become very concentrated allowing crystals and stones to form in the bladder
When it comes to feeding a cat all that matters is
- Will the cat eat it? You can't allow a cat to starve because it won't eat the 'right' food
- Does the cat thrive? Some cats do well on cheap kibble, others on raw diets, some on canned food. There is no single ideal food for all cats.
- Can the owner afford it? Expensive is not always better for a cat and no-one should feel shamed because that is what they can afford.
It may well be better to feed a mix of wet and dry food if possible and it is better not to leave bowls of kibble out when you have more than one cat. If one likes eating more than another does, they will become obese.
Thanks for sharing. The kibble here says it's 40% cereal, a few percent oils and plant based stuff, and 10% meat products. So it would be better to look for kibble with a higher amount of meat and less cereal, right? I always leave some kibble lying around for him to eat, maybe he'll eat too much because, he's getting a little fat (but he's also blind on one eye, and he doesn't like to walk around too much!) :d Do you think a cat can live on vegan cat food?
Yes, it is better to buy a kibble where the first ingredient is meat and the protein level is a minimum of 30-33%.
It is better not to free-feed but to feed meals of a set amount of kibble to prevent him getting fat.
I have seen vegan cat foods on the market and in theory, they may contain the correct balance of nutrients and may be palatable to a cat but I believe that if you are a vegan for ethical reasons it is better not to have a cat than to feed it something it was not designed to eat. A cat is a carnivore that lives by killing and eating other creatures for their meat. While they can eat some carbs, they need meat
Confirms my thoughts that cats are all different and will eat what they want. My Calico will turn into a chub in a hurry on dry food. Not crazy tho about wet food. The other will eat chicken feed if you let him. Protein approx. 16%. Thanks for the great info. I worry about their diets. 🐓🐓
I'm not surprised he will eat chicken feed, it's made with fish meal. I have one that thinks dry soya mince, maize meal and vegetables are the bomb. I try not to feed cheap supermarket kibble and despite the popularity of vilifying companies like Hills, Royal Canin, etc. my cats do well on it. I have one that throws up every imaginable type and brand of food except for Royal Canin Sensible.
Cat families usually play best in even numbers. Cats and kittens should be aquired in pairs whenever possible.
cat food that good for cats right
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STOPYour post is very interesting! Meow! Maybe that's why I'm a little fat. My mom cooks meat for breakfast and dinner, I can eat croquettes from my plate always
Probably. Tell mom it would be better to calculate calories and feed you set meals rather than allow you to eat at any time
Tt's the best, I'll tell! Thank you, meow!
"There is no single ideal food for all cats."
They're obligate carnivores. In the wild, the relatives of domestic cats would largely eat very little non-animal matter, if at all. Their bodies are not designed for eating plant matter (this kibble is made of cereal?). Their guts for one are too short. On the rare occasion a cat opts to eat grass, it's often because the cat isn't feeling well and needs to eat something that will induce vomiting.
Wikipedia's take on cats - here
When I had a cat, they lived on fish and tinned meat. In the early days, we'd give them the occasional 'cat love' tablet. God knows what it had in it but they would go nuts if you offered them one. Back in the 1980s. Hope that helps.