Archive for the ‘Feline Nutrition’ Category

Proper nutrition is fundamental to our pets’ health, but have you ever considered how different foods affect our pets?  The kinds of food we feed our pets can have a direct affect on an animal’s condition.  Here are some fascinating things I learned about food therapy for pets.  

Consumer demand is changing what kinds of food grocery stores sell as increased amounts of organic, non-GMO, and natural products are taking up more and more space on shelves and displays.  Did you know these trends are now influencing the pet food industry?  Pet food ingredients that were taken for granted for decades are now being scrutinized more closely.

Our pets trust us to care for them and look out for their best interests.  Without question we shower them with amazing toys, plush, snuggly beds, and health care when needed; but how often do we question what we feed them?  Next to vaccines, diet is the second most important decision you will make for your pet. It has far-reaching consequences, many of which most pet parents pay little attention to.  This is why learning to read pet food labels is so important. 

In Part 1 of Understanding Cat Food Labels we covered meat, meat by-products, meat/bone meal, soy products, and fillers.  We also took a closer look at the guaranteed analysis on the label.  Today we’ll explore the elements of fats, vitamins, minerals, and taurine.  Just for fun, go grab a bag or can of cat food and let’s dive in together.

Cat Food Labels–What’s In Your Cat’s Food? Have you ever looked at the label on your cat’s food?  These days it requires not only a magnifying glass but a dictionary!  All kidding aside, I highly recommend you spend a few minutes analyzing what’s in your cat’s food.  I was in a Facebook conversation about a […]

I got a message this week from a friend who is about to adopt a new kitten, and she asked me what kind of food I recommend.  It made me realize that there’s a lot of confusion out there about the best diet for kittens.  With so many pet food manufacturers and veterinarians peddling “kitten food” and “kitten formulas” it can be challenging to decipher what your kitten truly needs.  

Cats love routine…and they love to eat.  It’s super easy for them to train us to dote on their every whim or hunger pang.  We eagerly acquiesce to their every need, and there is no better example than a cat who’s a picky eater.  If the bowl of food we offer is snubbed how many […]

Down here in Houston, Texas it’s not uncommon to hear people complain about their allergies.  Even cats can develop allergies not only to airborne irritants but to the ingredients in their food.  How do you know if your cat has a food allergy?  What are the symptoms and the most common ingredients that can lead to food allergies in cats?  And what can you do about them?

Appearances can be deceiving and pet food marketing messages are ultimately about getting people to spend money.  Pet food companies are counting on the fact that as cat parents we know nothing about feline nutrition and it should be left up to them to tell us what to feed our cats.  The waters can be very muddied indeed, and it’s about to get even muddier. 

With so many inappropriate ingredients in cat food these days and the fact that most cats eat the same thing all the time, I’m surprised that more cats don’t have this issue.  Let’s take a closer look at food sensitivities and food allergies in cats and how to eliminate them for good!