| A major cat food manufacturer recently | | | | level of nutrition out of a vegetarian diet. Also, a |
| commissioned a survey of cat owners to determine | | | | purely vegetarian diet will lack the proteins and amino |
| what these cat owners perceptions were about the | | | | acids that they need to keep them healthy. |
| right food for their cat. The results came back and | | | | You need to be armed with the right nutritional |
| 94% of the cat owners were confident that they | | | | information so that you can give your cat the right |
| are doing the right thing for their pets, but does | | | | food that he needs to live a long and healthy life. |
| perception match up with reality? | | | | Here are a few tips for selecting healthy cat food. |
| Nearly half the pet owners said that they feed their | | | | Your cat food should supply a complete nutritional |
| cats table scraps on a regular basis. The fact is that | | | | package for your cat's needs according to his |
| table scraps do not provide the essential nutrients | | | | maturity and level of activity. Adult and older cats |
| that cats need. Things like root vegetables, | | | | have different nutritional needs than their younger |
| tomatoes, and undercooked potatoes are nutritious | | | | and more active siblings. If you read the cat food |
| for humans but are not a healthy choice for cats. | | | | labels carefully you'll see that each formula is designed |
| Who does not think that giving your cat little bowl of | | | | for cats at different stages of maturity, and in some |
| milk every day is not a loving and healthy thing to do. | | | | cases to meet the specific needs of cats with |
| It may not be. A relatively high percentage of adult | | | | particular problems. For example if your cat needs |
| cats have lactose intolerance. A bowl of cow's milk or | | | | help with his skin and coat you can select the formula |
| little dish of your favorite melted ice cream may | | | | that has been designed to specifically meet those |
| seem like a good idea but it can also be causing your | | | | needs. |
| cat digestive problems. Only kittens need milk and | | | | If you have both a dog and a cat then you should |
| only the milk they get from the mother cat has as all | | | | know that each has entirely different nutritional |
| the nutrients and antibodies they need to grow | | | | needs. Your dog food is good for the dog but it may |
| strong and healthy. Adult cats do not need milk as | | | | not be so good for the cat. Your cat has very |
| part of a nutritious diet. | | | | different requirements for proteins, vitamins, and |
| About 25% of the survey respondents feed their | | | | fatty acids. One way to keep the cat out of the dog |
| cat a purely vegetarian diet. Has anybody ever heard | | | | food bowl is to feed the cat separately as far |
| of a cat pouncing on a wheat field as a dinner | | | | removed from the dog's usual dinnertime stomping |
| prospect? Cats can survive on a purely vegetarian | | | | grounds as possible. You know your cat too. He |
| diet but they cannot process carbohydrates nearly as | | | | would probably prefer to dine alone in a nice quiet |
| well as humans and are not able to get the same | | | | corner of the house anyway. |