YOUR CAT MATTERS
BY TANIA BARTON, HOBBITS KNOB CAT RETREAT
Choosing the best nutrition for your cat Your cat’s nutrition is the foundation to optimal health and wellbeing providing a complex balance of energy, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fibre and proteins to promote good health and vitality inside and out. How do I choose what is best for my cat? Here are five simple guidelines: 1. Age: Cats of varying ages have very different nutritional and health requirements from promoting healthy development for kittens to support with medical issues as they age. 2. Overall health: From diseases to skin disorders and weight loss, general health concerns can be overcome or maintained completely through certain dietary requirements and restrictions. 3. Lifestyle: Nutrition selection through the appropriate diet, according to your cat’s activity levels, will be the difference in developing preventable diseases or remaining in good health. 4. Palate: Providing a food that tempts and excites your cat’s taste buds, can be challenging. Some cats need the right aroma, the right texture and the right size. This may just be a matter of trial and error but don’t give in to your cat too easily, otherwise you can make them fussy. 5. Treats: Using raw meats as treats is preferable as it promotes their natural instincts, digestion and healthy teeth and gums. Steer clear of commercially packaged treats.
Work closely with your veterinarian, be educated, and get in tune with your cat’s ‘normal’ to assess your cat’s nutritional health from a complete perspective to ensure a long, happy, healthy lifestyle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tania Barton is a qualified Veterinary Nurse with 19 years’ industry experience. Her passion for nutrition in animals created a vision for promoting the best diet for cats on an individual basis. She loves sharing her knowledge and experience in this field as well as educating the community to prevent disease in animals through nutrition. LIFE MATTERS 59
