Your feline companion’s health largely depends on its eating habits. Check out this food chart for cats and discover which foods contribute to your pet’s well-being and which ones do not. Also, read this article to find out the right amount of food and number of portions you should give your cat.
Food chart for cats: beneficial and harmful foods
Here are 5 essential foods for your cat’s diet and, on the other hand, 5 foods your cat should never eat under any circumstances.
Beneficial foods
- Seafood. It has a high taurine content, an organic compound involved in bile formation, among other functions. It is especially necessary for felines, since they do not produce it naturally.
- Chicken. Also rich in taurine, though in smaller amounts.
- Cucumber. Helps solve digestive problems and eliminate hairballs. Since some cats may have an irrational fear of cucumbers, we recommend cutting it before offering it to your pet. You can also serve it boiled.
- Strawberries. An excellent source of vitamin C and rich in fiber. We recommend feeding your cat kibble daily and complementing it with one of these foods in very small amounts.
- Kibble. It is advisable to combine dry food such as kibble with wet food. Kibble is a good substitute for prepared wet food.
We recommend feeding your cat kibble daily and complementing it with one of the foods mentioned above in very small amounts. It is also advisable to combine dry food such as kibble with wet food. To ensure your cat’s well-being, we recommend the cat kibble and the wet cat food from Only Fresh. You’ll find a wide variety of delicious recipes made with natural ingredients tailored to your kitty’s specific needs.
Harmful foods
- Raw fish. Can cause a severe vitamin B deficiency that could even lead your cat into a coma. Always cook fish before offering it to your cat.
- Chocolate. Contains theobromine, a highly toxic substance for cats.
- Salt. Your pet’s food should not be excessively salty, as it may cause kidney disease, especially if there is no clean, fresh water available.
- Lemon. Your cat’s stomach is not adapted to handle the high acidity of this citrus fruit.
- Dog food. Nutritional needs of dogs and cats are not the same. So if you have both animals at home, make sure your cat does not eat from your dog’s bowl.
Amount of food and number of daily portions
Now that you know what types of foods are suitable for your pet, you may be wondering how much food is right and how often you should serve it.
What is the recommended daily food amount?
The daily amount of food a cat needs may vary depending on its lifestyle, size, and metabolism. However, you can use this chart as a guideline to determine food volume based on weight:
- Between 30 and 40 g of food if your cat weighs 2 kg.
- Between 40 and 55 g of food if your cat weighs 3 kg.
- Between 45 and 65 g of food if your cat weighs 4 kg.
- Between 55 and 75 g of food if your cat weighs 5 kg.
How often should I feed my cat?
Age is a key factor in knowing how often to feed your cat during the day. In general, you should give:
- Between 3 and 4 portions if they are between 8 weeks and 6 months old.
- Around 2 portions from 6 months of age onwards.
However, if your cat does not have weight problems or eat excessively, it is advisable to let it have free access to kibble. In this case, you only need to complement its diet with 1 or 2 servings of wet food per day. This way, you’ll be respecting cats’ natural tendency to eat many small meals throughout the day.
Consulting the food chart for cats before feeding your pet, along with putting our tips into practice, will contribute to your pet’s well-being. However, we recommend you visit your veterinarian for any questions or irregularities regarding your feline companion’s diet and health.
