Prepared Cat Food

Over the last few decades, there has been a tremendous in feline feeding methods. Today there are commercial foods available that cater for all stages of a cat’s life.

These are available in dry, semi moist or canned forms, and, in addition, there are deep frozen foods which come the closest to fresh meat or fish. If the commercial foods are manufactured by reputable, well known brand names, you can be sure that the contents displayed on the wrapper are balanced.

If they are marketed as complete foods, they are complete, and the only necessary addition is drinking water. No vitamins, minerals, or other supplements are necessary.

However, cost does increase with quality, and the most expensive varieties are those that are scientifically researched and geared to the dietary needs of cats in each of the three major stages of development, kitten, active adulthood and old age.

Do check the labels for additives, preferably minimal, ingredients and breakdown of nutrient content. Bear in mind, however, that while the average protein content of a can of food may be only 6-12 percent, this is usually the total content per 100g of food, rather than being calculated on a dry weight basis.

About 10 percent protein in canned food is equivalent to over 40 percent dry weight, and is therefore acceptable. If your cat is fed an exclusively dry diet, fresh water should always be available and changed at least once a day.

Dry food, 10 percent moisture, can be kept longer when opened and left longer in the bowl than wet food, without becoming tainted. Semi moist cat food has a moisture content of 40 to 50 percent, and so the cat will require less supplementary water than with a dry food diet.

Canned food, 75 to 85 percent water, dries and spoils if not eaten immediately. Supplementary biscuits provide exercise for the jaw. Meat is meat to the tow cats, acceptable food has been found, and it will save a great deal of time and bother for their owner if they have the same thing all the time. Some cats appear to demand variety, but it is not essential for good health.