Cats are hypercarnivores, meaning they obtain their nutrients only from animal products. They require a large quantity of protein, a moderate amount of fat, and the minimum carbohydrates.

Cats also need minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids. Supplements can be toxic to your cats and should not be given without the recommendations of a vet doctor.

Here are the types of cat food that can make up your cat’s diet.

Dry Food

Dry cat food has about 6-10% water content. It is cheap and may not be as palatable as moist and semi-moist cat foods. A vet doctor can precisely formulate dry foods with ingredients like meat, poultry, grain, and their by-products.

The dry food can also contain fish meal, milk products, fiber sources, minerals, and vitamin supplements. All these ingredients are combined and then dried into bite-sized chunks. You can also use flavor enhancers like animal fats to coat the chips to make them delicious.

Dry foods are prone to become rancid and should be stored in airtight containers. Also, prevent long-term storage of dry foods and always check for the expiration date before feeding your cat.

Semi-moist Food

Semi-moist foods have about 35% moisture content. The primary ingredients used to produce them are meat and meat by-products. You can add cereals, soybean meal, preservatives, and grain by-products.

Semi-moist foods are of moderate prices and maybe more appetizing than dry foods to a cat. They are also easy to preserve.

Canned food

Canned foods have about 75% water content which makes them a good source of water in a diet. They are the most expensive cat foods but also the most palatable. The shelf life of canned foods is the longest when unopened and must be refrigerated after opening to preserve them.

Generally, canned foods contain mainly meats like liver and kidneys, and whole near by-products as the primary ingredients. But, some canned foods may not be nutritionally balanced and should be supplemented with other types of foods.

Homemade diets

Homemade diets for cats are time-consuming, difficult to formulate, and may not be nutritionally balanced. If needed, homemade diet plans should be drawn by a veterinarian and must be supplemented by minerals and vitamins to make them nutritious.

There are many homemade cat food recipes you can use on the internet, but you must get the consent of your veterinary doctor before using them for your cats.

Treats

Meat and its by-product is not a treat and should not be given as one. Treats should be fed to a cat occasionally and should not make up more than 10-15% of the cat’s calories intake per day. Also, do not give your cat milk as a treat because most cats are lactose intolerant.

There are different treats and snacks sold at pet stores, and they are safe and nutritious for your cat in an adequate quantity.

Cats should not be fed wholly on carbohydrates like rice because they do not contain the required nutrients. Also, ensure that you provide your cat with high-quality products and read the nutritional values of each product before feeding it to your cat. Then make sure you get your vet’s opinion to guarantee your cat’s safety and health status.