Meezer Musings: July 2023
What Should I Feed My Cat?

Welcome to July's Meezer Musings!

"What should I feed my cat?". I recently received this question from a website visitor. I haven't written much about this over the years, first, because I'm not an expert in feline nutrition and second, because it's a huge topic, often fraught with controversy.

It stimulates much debate even among experts, and those of you who've owned Siamese cats for years will long ago have decided for yourselves what best to feed your own cats.

However, there's no doubt that paying attention to your cats' diet and providing them with the right foods is vitally important to their health and energy, giving them the best chance of living a long and healthy life.

So, for those of you who are new to cats, and/or Siamese cats, (and with the proviso that I'm still not an expert!) you'll find some general guidelines below.

The delightful image above is this month's page from Suzanne Le Good's 2023 Siamese Cat Art Calendar and shows a pair of her delightful characters, the 'Two' - a seal point Siamese cat and his little Oriental pal - enjoying a spot of fishing for their suppers, aided and abetted by a friendly passing whale.

I thought this was particularly appropriate for our July topic, as there's no doubt that cats enjoy the taste of fish. Bandit would appear instantly, seemingly out of nowhere, whenever I opened a can of tuna or sardines, and many other Siamese cats would do the same!

However, while it's fine as an occasional treat, cats can't live solely on tinned fish (especially tuna - here's a vet-written article that explains why).

It's important to understand some basic feline nutritional requirements so we're going to take a look at these first, followed by some thoughts on feeding at different life stages, and ending with a brief look at considerations for some specific health conditions.

General Nutritional Principles for Feeding Cats

1. Cats Are Obligate Carnivores

"Cats are obligate carnivores". What does this mean? It means that cats' bodies are designed to thrive on a diet consisting first and foremost of animal protein - they must eat meat because meat contains various nutrients they can't get any other way.

The most important of these is taurine, an amino acid constituent of protein that's only available from meat, and, to a lesser extent, fish.

Taurine is extremely important for heart, brain, eye, and nerve health. Human bodies can manufacture taurine out of a different amino acid, but cats cannot do this.

Other essential nutrients are arachidonic acid (a type of fat found in muscle meats and liver) and vitamin A, which is also found in animal tissues.

2. Cats Have a Low Thirst Drive

Our domestic cats evolved, over thousands of years, from desert-dwelling ancestors and today's cats still carry some of the traits that allowed them to survive in these harsh landscapes.

One of these, the ability to get most of the fluids they need from their prey, means that cats have a low thirst drive so it's essential to make sure they stay hydrated. Wet cat foods (or a combination of wet and dry foods) can help to increase their water intake and it's best to avoid an entirely dry diet unless this has been specifically recommended by your vet.

3. Cats Don't Need Fillers and Additives

Food labeling in most countries requires that ingredients are listed in order of quantity, which is why the first ingredient in any list should be meat or fish.

Cats have no dietary need for fillers and artificial additives. These are often included in cheaper cat foods to bulk them out. Choose foods that are low in corn, wheat, and soy, and ideally free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

Feeding for Life Stages

It's important to be aware that as cats grow and mature, hopefully into old age, their nutritional needs change so they need different types of foods at different life stages.

The notes below give a brief outline of each life stage and the points to watch for.

Kitten (0-12 Months)

Unless you happen to rescue a very tiny kitten, most kittens will be weaned and eating solid foods by the time they move to their 'forever' homes.

Kittens need specially formulated foods containing higher levels of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals, to help with their growth and development so choose foods specifically labeled as kitten food and "complete and balanced" to ensure your kittens gets all the necessary nutrients they need.

Cats are officially kittens until the age of one year old, and should eat specially-formulated kitten food until their first birthday.

Adult (1-7 Years)

At one year old, your cat reaches adulthood and you can transition to an adult cat food. Look for options that provide a balanced blend of protein, fats, and carbohydrates to maintain their optimal weight and overall health.

Senior (7+ Years)

A cat of 7 years + is officially a senior cat. From this age, cats may begin to develop a number of different health conditions and it's particularly important to liaise with your vet, who can provide tailored dietary recommendations based on your cat's individual needs and medical history.

Senior cat food formulas are designed to support an older cat's changing needs, including weight management, allergies, urinary tract health and kidney function.

The notes below are just a starting point.

Dietary Considerations for Specific Health Conditions

Choosing the right cat food is essential and understanding your cat's specific life stage and any existing health conditions can help you make wise choices about their diet.

The priorities are:

• high-quality animal protein
• essential nutrients
• hydration, ideally from food

By following these guidelines and seeking help from your vet when needed, you can ensure that your cat receives the nutrition they need to live a happy and healthy life.

Tail End ...

That's all from me for July and I hope it's been helpful, although I realize that this only scratches the surface of the subject. Perhaps I'll return to this in more depth in the future!

For now though, for personal reasons, I'll be taking a break for a few months but Meezer Musings will be back in the autumn, and until then, wherever you are, I wish you and your cats a very happy, healthy time.

Caroline

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