Extend your cat's life by feeding her right

Cats have an opportunity to live longer, healthier lives today because of important advances in veterinary medicine and pet nutrition research. Find out how you can contribute towards an even longer life.

Meals

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Feed a high quality diet designed for kittens. Your veterinarian is your best source for information regarding an appropriate diet for your kitten. Dry foods are usually most economical and have the advantage of providing a rough surface that will help reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your kitten's teeth, but canned foods can be fed/supplemented if desired. Amount fed will depend on the diet, as well as the age, size, and activity level of your kitten. Kittens can be fed free-choice or at set mealtimes; however, many veterinarians recommend feeding all pets at set mealtimes because intake can be more easily monitored. Canned foods should always be fed at set times, because if left unrefrigerated, they can spoil. I recommend use of stainless steel bowls because plastic and ceramic bowls can scratch, leaving crevices for bacteria to hide. The latter types of bowls (and resultant resident bacteria) have been associated with feline "acne" and skin irritation.

Diet

Cats are carnivores (meat-eating animals) and therefore should not be put on a vegetarian diet. They should also not be fed dog food because it does not contain the right nutrients for cats. Nowadays, commercial cat foods are specially designed to meet a cat's dietary needs and provide all the nutrients they need. In fact their diet will generally be better than that of their owner.

Cats should not be given cows' milk as many will develop diarrhoea. It's much better to give them a commercial cat food and access to fresh water.

Canned or Dry Food

Choosing between canned or dry food is largely a matter of convenience and preference. While you may find yourself holding your breath as you scoop out canned food, most cats love this mucky stuff, and the high nutrient content in the better brands means your cat can eat smaller quantities to meet his dietary needs. But any portion left in the can isn't very tasty if served straight out of the fridge. First heat it up a bit, but only to body temperature. Dry food is easier to serve and won't spoil if left out for the day. It's also considerably cheaper.

Water

An ample supply of clean water is also key to your cat's well-being. To make the watering hole appealing to fastidious feline tastes, keep the bowl clean and change the water at least twice a day. While cats eating canned food consume a fair amount of water in their diets, cats eating only dry food will need to drink more.