| l cat owners know, a feline can be a wonderful | | | | end cat foods need a smaller serving amount than |
| addition to any family. One of the most basic aspects | | | | the low end cat foods to give a cat all the nutrients |
| of cat ownership is proper health care for the cat. | | | | they need to be satisfied and healthy. |
| Health care for a cat encompasses a wide array of | | | | When comparing a premium brand such as Eukanuba, |
| vaccine shots, flea protection, vet visits, medications, | | | | to a lower cost brand such as Purina, they cost |
| and even proper exercise. | | | | difference for the recommended serving size is only |
| However, the most important aspect of cat health is | | | | a nickel a day. Furthermore, because a cat will eat |
| also often overlooked. People spend hundreds of | | | | less of the high end cat food, their waste will be |
| hours and thousands of dollars over the lifetime of a | | | | reduced. This can cut down on the frequency of |
| cat to keep it healthy, but most cat owners | | | | litter replacement and litter box related chores. |
| don’t pay nearly enough attention to the | | | | Another aspect of cat food to be considered is the |
| proper cat food. | | | | quality of the protein in the food. Because of the |
| The right cat food is absolutely essential to a healthy, | | | | way many pet food companies describe the meat in |
| happy cat. | | | | the food, it can be difficult to figure out exactly |
| But what is the best cat food for your cat? While | | | | what the difference between “chicken |
| each cat will have slightly different nutritional needs, | | | | flavored”, and “chicken dinner” |
| there are some general rules that must be | | | | is. |
| considered when looking for cat food. | | | | Food that contains “chicken meal” can |
| First of all, cats (like their human owners) need a high | | | | only be made from the skin, flesh, and bones only. |
| quality diet. This means the best types of protein, | | | | This is really the best type of protein for a cat. Food |
| fats, carbs, and the less preservatives and chemical | | | | that has “meat byproducts” can |
| additives, the better. Most of the research available | | | | contain nearly any animal parts, and are of lower |
| online does not compare specific brands of cat food, | | | | quality than “chicken meal”. Food that |
| as much as specific ingredients to feed your cat, and | | | | is “chicken flavored” only has to taste |
| which to stay away from! | | | | like chicken, but may not contain any animal meat at |
| Cats need a high protein diet. Wild cats are very | | | | all. Also, chicken is generally better than beef for cats. |
| carnivorous, and cats derive a great deal of their | | | | And it goes without saying, preservatives, as well as |
| nutritional needs from protein. House cats, while not | | | | artificial colors, should be avoided whenever possible. |
| wild, still have many of the same nutritional needs as | | | | Although specific research is lacking on this subject, |
| their wild feline ancestors. So, the most important | | | | we do know that preservatives and artificial colors |
| ingredient in any cat food is protein. | | | | can have a negative impact on human health. It is |
| Carbohydrates are also an important part of a cats | | | | only logical that cats will also be negatively affected |
| diet, though not as important as protein. Cats really | | | | by artificial colors and preservatives in their cat food. |
| should derive the majority of their nutritional needs | | | | With the vast selection of cat food on the market, it |
| from protein, so cat foods that are high in | | | | is easy to be intimidated and just pull the cheapest |
| carbohydrates may not necessarily be the best for | | | | variety off of the shelf. Just remember |
| them. | | | | what’s good for your cat and read the labels. |
| Interestingly enough, many of the premium brands of | | | | Always remember, a little research can go a long |
| cat food, such as Eukanuba and Innova offer exactly | | | | way when it come to the health and well being of |
| what most cats need, and aren’t necessarily | | | | your cat. |
| more expensive in the long run. This is because high | | | | |