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A good diet and nutrition are essential for your cat's health. Cats have specific nutritional needs depending on their inherent breed. The anatomy of cats varies by breed, depending on how they had adapted themselves to the environmental factors presented by the habitat in the ancient days. For instance, cats that originated in colder places used to have longer hair when compared to those that lived in arid climates. Similarly, the behavior and disposition of cats vary depending on the same factors as well. These physical appearances and characteristic features, in turn, affect the nutritional needs of cats, and here's how you should use them to plan your cat's diet.
Anatomy
The structure and skeletal make-up of cats will play a deciding role in how the joints are exerted. This, in turn, determines the cat's susceptibility to osteoarthritis and joint-related conditions. Pure cat breeds like Ragdoll or Maine Coon, have a lanky and bigger frame when compared to other cats. They are also more prone to bone and joint-related disorders. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin, and glucosamine can help manage these conditions better.
Fur coat
Certain cat breeds like Persian cats have thick fur or long fur. These cats should have a diet that is rich in amino acids and omega fatty acids to make sure that the fur coat remains shiny by locking in moisture. Some cats may also have a tendency to accumulate hairballs from constantly grooming themselves; this is especially seen in the case of Persian cats. It is essential to have a fiber-rich diet for these cats, so the hair can easily make its way through the intestine and not form hairballs. Prebiotics and fibers help the cause.
Jaw structure
Persian cats have a flat-faced brachycephalic jaw structure, while Maine Coons have strong jaws. The jaw structure plays a pivotal role in their capabilities to grasp food. Cat owners should take this into consideration while choosing food for their cats. For instance, if the jaw structure of the cat makes them work extra hard to grasp food, then longer kibble bits may be a good choice, so the cat can easily grab hold of the food with its tongue. Similarly, if you have a speedy eater like a Siamese, then you want to make sure that it does not suffer from stomach upsets or regurgitation as a result. Tube-shaped kibble is a good pick for such cats.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle and habits of your cat are also important considerations while choosing food. For instance, a cat that naps on the couch all day does not require a diet that powers it with as much energy as one that is always on the prowl would require.
Food Your Cat Will Never Say no to!
Dogs are essentially pack animals and their early survival was dependent on scavenger food hunts. But cats have emerged from smaller desert felines that hunted birds and mice. The natural prey for cats was available in abundance and was not very challenging to catch. Therefore, they did not develop the need to gulp down any food that was given to them. So it is not unnatural for your kitty to refuse a bowl of food that is laid down in front of it and walk away simply uninterested. Here is some help in understanding the foods that cats love and will never say no to.
Top foods for feeding your pet cat
Include these delicious delights in your cat’s daily feed and keep them healthy and happy!
- Tuna As soon as you open that can of yummy tuna, you will know why it’s ranked high in the ‘favorite cat food’ list. There is no need to do anything fancy with the canned tuna. You simply have to offer some pieces to your cat to earn the brownie points from them. Alternatively, you could also prepare tuna cakes. But you have to be careful because several cats are intolerant towards mayo. Also, remember to avoid spicy tuna as it might not go down well with your cat. Plain tuna is ideal for serving your kitty.
- Ham For those who like eating ham, be prepared to serve some bites to your cat too. It is not advisable to offer them the typical meat ham as it has a high amount of harmful nitrates and other additives, which might not be good for the cat’s health. If your cat savors ham, give it fresh ham instead.
- Dairy Even though cats love milk, very few people know that these animals also like yogurt and ice cream! These are milk-based products and therefore offer the same kind of pleasure to the cat’s taste buds as dairy milk. In addition to this, the probiotics present in yogurt help in easing the digestion process in case the cat is lactose intolerant. It is a good idea to serve plain yogurt to your cat, instead of picking artificially flavored varieties. Similarly, if your cat is an ice cream lover, try giving it coconut milk-based varieties or organic ice-creams. These not only taste good but are also very healthy for your cat. Other foods that have been ranked popular among cats include eggs, canned salmon, sardines, chicken, fish sticks, etc. Some cats also love the food prepared in coconut oil. It is important to remember that your cat’s daily feed should be nutritionally balanced in addition to being tasty.