The Balanced Diet III

We have gone through the nutrients that our cats need to have a healthy balanced diet, it’s time to look at what nutritious foods we can feed our feline companions to support their needs. Aside from feeding canned or dry food on a daily basis, various foods can be used to supplement their diet and add something refreshing in the process.

Preparing food can be a little difficult when living a busy lifestyle but with some planning and imagination, a tasty cat meal can even come from last night’s leftovers!

Fresh Meat

Cats are natural predators, it’s not uncommon for the household pet to catch a door mouse for a feast. This small meal can provide a number of proteins. While most households will not be serving rodent meat to their cats, a high quality meat from the butcher or supermarket will serve as a nutritious feast. Any meat will suffice so long as the protein content is high enough and should sit around 20% protein content.

As with any type of feeding, it’s important to consider the risks when feeding meat. If serving poultry or meats with bone content, the bones should be removed as they may cause harm when being eaten or digested. Fresh meat is best be served raw or lightly cooked. Cooking meat can introduce further issues as protein content is lost when proteins deform on a molecular level and bones become hard and can break into harmful sharp pieces - meowch!

Lamb/Pork bones are very nutritional for cats, feel free to the let them gnaw as it helps with dental hygiene. The boney treat also serves as exercise for the cat jaw and helps to develop strength in this area. A stronger cat is a healthy cat, just be sure to steer clear of processed meats with additives/salt.