The domestic house cat is a descendant from Felis silvestris lybica, but over time has evolved into its own distinct species. Purebred cats especially have diverged from their ancestral wild cat’s genetic makeup and their nutritional needs reflect that. Commercial cat food has been designed to meet the metabolic needs of cats who no longer have the lifestyle of a wild cat. In this article, we’ll explore which food is right for your cat, and the health differences between canned and dry foods.
The Feline Diet
There are so many options for diets to feed your cat, it can be overwhelming to sort through all the information and misinformation to make a decision. In general, most veterinarians agree that cats should be fed a diet that has been certified by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to meet their nutritional needs.
Necessary Nutrients
While cats are technically obligate carnivores, their diet should still include a healthy balance of mostly protein, moderate fat, and some carbohydrates. The nutrients and vitamins that come from carbohydrate sources are an important part of a balanced cat diet. In addition, they are less calorie-rich and in moderation can help reduce the caloric density of the diet.
What to look for in a cat food brand
Preferably, a cat food brand should be chosen that:
- Employs veterinary nutritionists
- Has gone through actual diet trials with animals in the life stage the diets claim to feed
- They should have quality control programs in place to ensure a safe product. Ingredients should be sourced from the United States or other reputable sources
Larger pet food brands, in general, have more power in securing consistent supplies of ingredients that meet their criteria, more resources for testing both raw materials and finished products, and are more likely to invest in research.
If this seems confusing and daunting, the good news is that there are LOTS of diets that meet these criteria. Animal nutrition has come a long way as people have elevated the status of animals to be full-fledged family members. If you are feeding a food that your cat likes, makes their coat shiny, doesn’t give them GI problems, isn’t an odd off-brand obscure diet and isn’t ‘too good to be true’ in terms of cost, chances are it’s fine!
How Much Do I Feed My Cat?
Knowing how much to feed can be a little complicated on the other hand. Every individual is different, and there can be changing metabolic needs as the cat grows, ages and becomes a senior. The feeding recommendations listed on the back of the bag are usually based on a calculation, and to some extent, extrapolated from published caloric requirements based on studies in colony cats.
Individual diets and nutritional requirements will vary from pet to pet, but a good starting point for serving size can be found on the back of most cat food bags. Use the bag’s guidelines, then adjust portion size to reach an ideal body condition score.
What is Ideal Body Condition?
The ideal body condition of a cat is when the margin of the ribs is palpable and the tops of the hip bones can be felt with minimal fat covering. These boney prominences should not be sharp, but they should be there! If you can’t feel these landmarks, or if you really have to search for them, chances are your cat is too heavy.
The number one nutritional issue seen in cats nationwide is obesity. It is estimated that almost 50% of cats aged 5 to 10 are considered obese2. Since obesity predisposes pets to a whole host of other issues including cardiac disease, diabetes, arthritis and renal disease, to name a few, regulating weight is the number one thing you can do to improve your cat’s health and ensure a long life.
How to put your cat on a diet
In order to maintain a healthy weight, consider using an automatic feeder to ensure your cat gets the correct portion of food throughout the day, or train them to eat discreet meals that you provide, rather than being free-choice fed unlimited food. If you start to lose the ability to palpate boney landmarks, cut back portions.
Types of Commercial Cat Food: Canned or Dry Food?
The canned versus dry food debate has gone on for years, and studies are starting to show there may actually be a benefit to feeding a canned diet to cats. The idea that a dry kibble diet helps with dental disease has mostly been debunked. Veterinary dentists are in agreement that there is little difference between wet and dry eaters in regards to general dental disease.
Dry Food
Specialized dry dental food does help reduce plaque and tarter but cannot treat periodontal disease and does not prevent plaque/tarter along and under the gum line. In addition, these are prescription diets designed for the purpose of improving oral health, and just a regular dry kibble will not achieve the same goal.
The real benefit of dry food is convenience and cost to the owner. And these benefits should be considered! If it is tricky for you to afford a healthy canned food, or you will struggle to keep the canned food from spoiling if left out, then dry food might be a better way to go.
Canned Food
The health benefits of a canned food diet are related to the increased moisture content and less calories per volume fed. Studies involving cats with lower urinary tract diseases show that patients are at a higher risk when dehydrated1. Therefore, increased water intake through increased dietary moisture may help lessen disease in these cats.
Cats with a predisposition towards kidney disease and diabetes may also benefit from a canned diet. Furthermore, cats fed a canned food diet tend to be leaner than their dry food fed counterparts3.
Choosing a Cat Food
All of this information may be daunting as you decide what to feed your cat, but at the end of the day there are many, many great choices available. What works best for your fur friend may not be the same as what works best for another. Be sure to reach out to your veterinarian for your specific nutrition questions as well.
1 Greene, J. P., Lefebvre, S. L., Wang, M., Yang, M., Lund, E. M., & Polzin, D. J. (2014). Risk factors associated with the development of chronic kidney disease in cats evaluated at primary care veterinary hospitals. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 244(3), 320-327.
2 Kirk, C. (2013). Management of Feline Obesity. Retrieved from American Academy of Family Physicians: https://beta.vin.com/doc/?id=6446947
3 Rowe, E., Browne, W., Casey, R., Gruffydd-Jones, T., & Murray, J. (2015). Risk factors identified for owner-reported feline obesity at around one year of age: Dry diet and indoor lifestyle. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 121(3-4), 273-281.
