Feeding & Nutrition

There are countless options and varieties when it comes to feeding your cat, but how do you know you’re choosing the right one? From food type, to meal timing, water and treating, feeding your cat can be a delicate process. If you’ve ever been left wondering whether your cat is getting the most she can from mealtime, check out the articles below, where we breakdown the differences between wet and dry food, feeding habits, and how to get the balance just right. Quick links: • MIXED FEEDING: THE BEST WAY TO MIMIC YOUR CAT’S NATURAL DIET • SOMETIMES THE SOLUTION TO PESKY BEHAVIOUR IS IN THE BOWL • MIXED FEEDING SUPPORTS HEALTHY HYDRATION IN CATS

Complete and balanced nutrition Your cat requires a complete and balanced diet for their specific life stage. You can ensure your cat receives the right nutrition by choosing a cat food that includes the proper levels of vitamins, minerals and necessary nutrients as decided by scientific research. Cats have specific nutritional requirements such as the essential amino acid, taurine. Insufficient amounts in your cat’s diet can impair their vision and may cause heart problems. For cats’ daily diets, Purina nutritionists have found that a level of 30% high-quality protein will support normal growth and reproduction in cats. Comparing label guarantees By comparing the nutritional content on labels you can help choose the best diet for your cat’s health and well-being. However, there are a few considerations and limitations that are worth being aware of. The difference in moisture content among the various types of cat food impacts the nutrient density of the products or the amount of nutrients per gram of food. As the water content of the diet increases, the amount of protein, fat and other essential nutrients decreases. That means the cat must consume a larger portion of the high moisture products to receive the nutrition they need. This difference in moisture and energy content also prohibits a direct comparison of the nutrient content of one product type to another. For example, you cannot compare the 12% protein content of a canned cat food to the 21% protein level of a dry cat food and conclude the dry food will supply more protein. You can, however, make a fair comparison of the 21% protein content of one dry cat food to the 30% protein content of another dry cat food and conclude that the cat will receive more protein by eating the higher protein product. The higher protein product, however, is not necessarily superior; that depends on the life stage and lifestyle of the cat to which the product is fed. Supplements Unless directed by your veterinarian, it’s not necessary to add supplemental vitamins, minerals or other foods to your cat’s daily diet. Types of Cat Foods The three main types of cat foods are dry, soft-moist and wet products. With today’s advanced technology, all types of cat food products can be formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for your cat. Dry Diets Dry products consist of crunchy kibbles, which help reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar on a cat’s teeth. Dry foods also have the advantage of staying fresh longer than soft-moist and wet products once the package is opened. Wet Diets These diets generally offer the highest palatability when compared to the dry products. Once a pouch or can is opened, unused food should be stored in the refrigerator.

You can help improve your cat’s mealtimes by knowing when, where and how much to feed them. Help your cat avoid mealtime disruptions by placing their food and water dishes away from foot traffic, noise, and their litter box, in somewhere that is comfortable and easy for them to reach. When there are multiple cats in the home you can ensure each has easy and equal access to food by providing multiple food bowls in different locations. Using a plastic mat or newspaper under the dish makes for an easier clean up. You can help to encourage and maintain healthy hydration by keeping clean, fresh water available at all times. Establish a routine so that your cat is fed at the same time each day. By using your cat’s name when feeding them, you can help to reinforce their name while associating you with a pleasant activity. If you are feeding a dry cat food, you can put out a whole day’s supply in the morning (very convenient for those working long hours) or feed half in the morning and half at night. Another advantage of dry cat food is that it can help keep your cat’s teeth clean and their gums healthy. Knowing the right amount to feed your cat is important to ensure they arereceiving all the nutrients they need whilst avoiding unnecessary weight gain. You can help ensure your cat is fed the optimum amount by always measuring the amount of food provided. For a proper feeding program, follow the feeding instructions on the cat food package.

Whether you’re new to cat ownership or you’ve changed yourcat’s food, you may be wondering how much to feed your cat. Although the answer should be simple and straightforward, figuring out how much food your cat needs is a little complicated (kind of like your cat). How Do I Decide How Much Food My Cat Needs? Different cats have different nutritional needs based on their size, life stage and more. Here are some factors to consider when deciding how much food your cat should eat: • Age & Life Stage:Kittenshave different nutritional needs than adult or senior cats. Cats who are pregnant or nursing also have different needs. • Weight:If your cat is not at her ideal weight, you may need to give her smaller or larger portions to help her achieve and maintain a healthy weight. • Energy Level:Cats who are active and playful throughout the day may require more calories than those who prefer to spend their time napping. • Type of Food:Dry andwet cat fooddiffer in calories, as well as portion sizes. You’ll want to ensure you’re feeding an appropriate amount of food, whether you feed dry, wet or a combination of both. • Indoor vs. Outdoor:Indoor catsmay not get as much exercise as an outdoor cat would, so they need fewer calories. Outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) cats living in regions with cold winters may need more food in the winter. The best way to determine how much food your cat needs is to talk with your veterinarian. They can determine how much food your cat requires based on the above factors. They can also help you troubleshoot any problems that may arise, such as your cat eating less or more than usual. Cat Feeding Recommendations on Packaging Your cat’s food label can also give you a general idea of how much food she needs. The recommendations on cat food packaging may include ranges, so you’ll need to determine where your cat fits within those ranges. You can always make adjustments to meet your cat’s needs. How Often Should I Feed My Cat? Most feeding recommendations tell you the total amount of food your cat needs per day, but they don’t tell you how often you should feed her. If you feed dry food, you can put it in her bowl and let her graze throughout the day. When feeding wet food, it’s important that she eats it within a half hour or so to avoid the food spoiling. If you want to split her wet food into two meals, you’ll need to determine the total number of calories she needs each day and divide that number by how many times you intend to feed her. For example, if your veterinarian recommends giving your cat 300 calories per day, you’ll want to feed her two meals with a total of 150 calories in each. Assessing Your Cat’s Feeding Once you determine how much food to feed your cat, use that as a guide for a couple weeks. Then assess how your cat is doing. Here are a few things to consider: • Does your cat leave food in her bowl? Or is she waking you up in the middle of the night for more? • Is she cleaning her bowl but gaining too much weight? (See how your veterinarian assesses your cat’s weight with our Body Condition System). • Is she eating happily and maintaining her weight and activity levels? Ensuring your cat gets the right amount of food will help her maintain her ideal body condition. Consider ahealthy weight cat foodto help her achieve and maintain this ideal body condition. We also recommend working with your veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying medical issues. For more feeding tips from ourexperts, visit our Pet Expertisepage.

How much to feed your cat depends on several factors, including their age, lifestyle and even the type of food. Whether you’re new to cat ownership or you’ve changed yourcat’s food, figuring out how much they needto eat each day isn’t as straightforward as you might think. Determining How Much to Feed a Cat Different cats have different nutritional needs based on their size, life stage and more. Here are some factors to consider when deciding how much food your cat should eat. • Age & Life Stage:Kittenshave different nutritional needs than adults or senior cats. Pregnant or nursing cats also have different needs. • Weight:“If your cat is not at their ideal body condition, you may need to adjust what and how much you feed them,” says Dr. Callie Harris, DVM. • Activity Levels:Cats who are active and playful throughout the day may need more calories than those who prefer to spend their time napping. • Indoor vs. Outdoor:Indoor cats may not get as much exercise as an outdoor cat would, so they need fewer calories. Outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) cats living in regions with cold winters may need more food in the cold months. The best way to determine how much food your cat needs is to talk with your veterinarian. They can tell you how much food your cat needs based on the above factors. They can also help you troubleshoot any problems that may arise, such as your cat eating more or less than usual. How Much Should a Cat Eat a Day? Dry andwet cat fooddiffer in calories as well as portion sizes. You’ll want to ensure you’re feeding an appropriate amount of food, whether you feed dry, wet or a combination of both. The label on the food packaging can give you a general idea of how much food your cat needs. The recommendations may include ranges, so you’ll need to figure out where your cat fits within those ranges. You can always adjust to meet your cat’s needs. If you have questions about how much of a particular food to feed your cat, you can also visit the manufacturer’s website or call them directly. As always, your veterinarian can also help you navigate how much to feed your cat. Cat Feeding Chart Feeding recommendations are required on all cat food packaging, but they don’t all look the same. Pay close attention to the chart on your cat’s food label to ensure you’re feeding them the right amount based on their age and weight. Here’s a sample cat feeding chart, similar to what you’ll find on cat food labels: Weight (lbs)Dry Food Amount (cups)5 to 91/3 to 2/310 to 143/4 to 1 Note: Amounts listed above are for a 24-hour period. Cat feeding amounts vary from product to product based on calorie content and formula. Consult the feeding chart on the back of your cat’s food packaging. Individual needs can vary, so consult with your veterinarian regarding special dietary needs. How Many Times a Day Should Cats Eat? Most feeding recommendations give you the total daily amount. For dry cat food, you can put the kibble in their bowl and let them graze throughout the day. It’s not uncommon for cats to want to eat multiple smaller meals per day. When feeding wet food, it’s important they eatit within a half hour or so to avoid the food spoiling. If you want to split their wet food into two meals, you’ll need to determine the total number of calories they needeach day and divide that number by how many times you intend to feed them. You may also want to try a refrigerated feeding bowl with a timer. You can program the bowl to dispense fresh wet food for your cat at designated times during the day. For example, if your veterinarian recommends giving your cat 250 calories per day, you’ll want to feed them two meals with a total of 125 calories in each. If you plan to feed your cat a combination of dry and wet food the math gets a little trickier. You’ll need to look at the calories on the dry and wet labels to calculate the total number of calories in each and decrease serving sizes to still meet the total daily caloric recommendation. Assessing Your Cat’s Eating Habits Once you determine how much food to feed your cat, use that as a guide for a couple weeks. Then, assess how your cat is doing. Here are a few things to monitor: • Leaving food in the bowl • Hungry in the middle of the night • Cleaning bowl, but gaining weight • Eating happily and maintaining weight and activity levels Cats can go up to 48 hours without food. If your cat hasn’t eaten in more than 48 hours, call your veterinarian to assess why they aren't eating. Ensuring your cat gets the right amount of food will help them maintain their idealbody condition. Consider ahealthy weight cat foodto help them achieve and maintain this ideal body condition. We also recommend working with your veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying medical issues. For more feeding tips from ourexperts, visit our Pet Expertisepage.

Is Your Cat a Picky Eater? Cats may have minds of their own, but they still learn from how we treat them. A sure way to create fussy eaters is to chop up or change their routines, or panic at the first sign of rejection by tempting them back to the bowl with tidbits from your table. They’ll quickly learn how to manipulate you to feed them tasty ‘owner’ food rather than a healthy balanced diet. Think about it from your cat’s point of view: what would you do if you were ‘rewarded’ with a treat every time you didn’t eat? To avoid fussy tendencies, your best bet is to pick a routine and stick to it. If your cat isn’t normally picky about her food and you’ve avoided creating “problem eater” habits, a trip to your veterinarian may be in order. Any deviation from her normal habits may be a sign of illness. How to Tell if Your Cat is Overweight, in Ideal Body Condition or Too Thin Here are 3 simple ways to tell if your cat’s diet needs an adjustment. • Rib Check: Place both of your thumbs on your cat’s backbone and spread both hands across her rib cage. You want to be able to feel her ribs. Actually feeling your cat is • important, as the coat of many cats will make a visual check difficult. • Profile Check: Examine your cat’s profile – it’s best if you are level with your cat. • Look for the abdomen to be tucked up behind her rib cage – this is ideal. • Overhead Check: Looking at your cat from overhead, identify whether you can see • a waist behind her ribs. If you find that your cat’s ribs and waistline aren’t where they’re supposed to be, adjust your cat’s food accordingly.

Choosing the Right Cat Food When choosing a food for your pet, it’s important to consider many factors, from your cat’s age to her size to any special dietary needs she might have – and that’s just the beginning. Consider Your Cat's Life Stage KITTEN At this key developmental stage in a cat’s life, your kitten needs special nutritional requirements that include DHA to support proper vision and brain development. ADULT Our foods contain nutrient and energy levels designed to help keep your cat in ideal body condition when fed properly, with a glossy coat and plenty of energy. SENIOR Choosing a quality senior cat food can help your feline companion continue to live her best life well into her golden years. Weaning Kittens Weaning kittens is a gradual process. If you find that you have a young kitten that is not with its mother due to an accident or is found alone then you may need to help with the weaning process. Whether you choose canned or dry food, adding moisture will help your pet to adjust. How to wean kittens Kittens can usually be started on the weaning process at three weeks of age and should be fully weaned by six to eight weeks. If you serve your kitten canned food, mash it up and mix it with water to form gruel. You can even smear this on your kitten’s lips to encourage her to lick it off. Some kittens will take the food as a mash but make sure there are no big chunks. Dry food can also be soaked and used to make gruel. Feed a little, regularly. As the kitten gets older, add less water to the mixture. Many kittens will eat dry food without it being soaked by 10-12 weeks of age, while most will manage a canned kitten food at six to eight weeks.

Our Global Nutrition Philosophy We’re pet lovers ourselves, and we believe that all pets deserve nutrition that goes beyond industry standards. From advancing the way kibble is made to employing over 400 scientists and nutritionists today, we work hard to push pet nutrition forward for cats everywhere. Learn more about Our Global Nutrition Philosophy OUR GLOBAL NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY What Do Cats Need to Thrive? Cats, just like humans, have complex nutritional needs. Purina complete pet foods provide a 100% complete and balanced diet for pets. At Purina, we study closely what cats eat in the wild, and reflect their natural needs using our quality ingredients. To understand your cat’s needs, let’s look at her physiology: IMMUNE SYSTEM Protein, antioxidants and Omega-6 fatty acids help support your cat’s immune system. SKIN AND COAT Specific amino acids (the building blocks of protein), Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E help maintain your cat’s shiny coat. DIGESTION Wholesome grains and high-quality protein sources make it easier for your cat to digest the nutrients in her food. BONES AND TEETH To help support strong bones, your cat needs calcium and phosphorous. VISION Vitamin A and taurine help keep your cat’s vision sharp.

How to Feed Your Cat Whether your cat is a finicky or overzealous eater, their instincts may shape their preferences in ways you’ve never thought of. You’ll ultimately have the best handle on your cat’s preferences for taste, smell and texture, but here are a few other factors to consider in making feeding time more effective and enjoyable. Bowl vs. Plate Your cat’s whiskers help them navigate their surroundings, determine if they can fit through openings, and communicate their mood. Here are tips for choosing a dish that works with their whiskers, not against them. Tip 1: Use a shallow bowl that your cat can grab food from without impeding their whiskers. Tip 2: Choose a dish large enough to hold a day’s worth of food, with a lip just tall enough to keep the food contained while letting them easily observe the room. Tip 3: If you constantly find yourself cleaning up after your cat, consider a wide plate large enough to catch stray kibble or canned food. Proper Placement In the wild, cats like to have a clear view of their surroundings in order to detect the approach of rivals or predators. This means that where you place your cat’s dish plays an important role in their level of comfort at feeding time. Tip 1: Placing a cat’s dish in the corner of a room may put them both on edge and on guard because they can’t see what’s around them. This is especially true in homes with multiple cats or a dog. Tip 2: To lessen the tension, try positioning their dish in the open to maximize their sight lines.

Prevention is always better than cure – and your cat’s health is no exception. That means understanding what to look out for and conducting regular home check-ups. Every month you should examine your cat carefully for early signs of illness. Just remember that some cats are very good at hiding illness or pain, so you need to be vigilant. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, contact your vet. HEALTH CHECK LIST Body condition– you should just be able to feel, but not see, your cat’s ribs. Your cat should have a recognisable waistline and a distinct tummy tuck. Watch for signs of unusual weight loss or gain. Ears– these should be clear of any thick brown or black wax and have no smell. For thinly-haired cats or cats with white-tipped ears, consider using sunscreen lotion to prevent sunburn (which in turn can lead to skin cancer). Eyes– should be bright and clear, with no redness, discharge or apparent soreness. Your cat should not shy away from light as if it hurts the eyes. Nose– your cat’s nose is usually soft and damp to the touch. Nostrils should be free of discharge or crusting. Mouth– teeth should be white with no excess tartar, with pale pink or black gums. Look out for dropping food, excess salivation, clawing at the mouth or bad breath as a sign of dental problems. Skin and coat– skin can be pink or black, depending on the pigments normally found in your cat’s skin. There should be no dandruff, fleas, bald patches or sores, and the coat should be thick and shiny, with no broken hairs. Nails– should be smooth and, if you have an indoor cat, clipped regularly to prevent ingrowing. Digestion– occasional vomiting of hair or grass can be normal. But persistent sickness or choking when eating should be checked out. Make sure your cat’s stools are normal in colour and consistency, with no diarrhoea or constipation. If you have any concerns contact your vet. Thirst– healthy cats don’t appear to drink that much, particularly when they eat wet food due to its high moisture content. Outdoor cats will often find liquids away from home. But always have a large bowl of fresh, clean water available, and, in the case of any sharp increase in water intake, consult your vet. Attitude– cats that feel unwell often shy away from human contact, or act aggressively. Keep a close eye on things, as cats are very good at hiding illness. If you want more information contact the Purina Pet Care Advice teamherefor free advice.

FUSSY EATERS Cats have a bit of a reputation for being rather particular about what’s in their bowl. Most have their favourite textures and flavours – and can be quick to turn up their nose at anything out of the ordinary. But fussy eaters are made, not born, so the best way to avoid finicky eating habits is to nip them in the bud! DON’T TEACH BAD HABITS Cats may have a mind of their own, but they still learn from how we treat them. A sure way to create fussy eaters is to chop and change their routines, or panic at the first sign of rejection by tempting them back to the bowl with tidbits from your table. They’ll quickly learn how to manipulate you to feed them tasty ‘owner’ food rather than a healthy balanced diet. Think about it from your cat’s point of view: what would you do if you were ‘rewarded’ with a treat every time you didn’t eat? To avoid fussy tendencies, your best bet is to pick a routine and stick to it. IS YOUR CAT REALLY BEING FUSSY? Sometimes, fussiness is more down to the way you serve food rather than the food itself. Cats generally prefer to be left in peace to eat and don’t enjoy an audience. Create a bit of privacy at mealtimes and switch feeding time until after the rest of household has eaten, keeping your cat away from the family eating area during meals. Make sure your cat’s bowl is clean. Many cats won’t eat out of a bowl that has bits of old food in it. Would you? Get into the habit of washing out food and water bowls after each use, since leftovers and bacteria are no better for cats than for humans. If your cat normally enjoys dry food but has suddenly become fussy, you may need to replace the food. Dry food absorbs moisture and becomes stale, especially in warmer weather. If canned food is the problem, it may be because you just took it out of the fridge. Cold wet food doesn’t have much of an aroma and cats won’t eat what they can’t smell. You can make wet food more appealing by heating it until it’s warm to the touch, releasing the food’s aroma and stimulating the appetite. If your cat spends time outdoors, remember there are plenty of opportunities for an unscheduled snack the other side of the cat flap. By dinnertime, your cat just might not be hungry. Like humans, cats react to the weather. Hot summer days suppress the appetite and your cat can’t opt for a light salad as an alternative like we can. Unlike humans, cats don’t have psychological eating disorders and most will give in when they get really hungry. When your cat does eventually eat, offer lots of praise and affection as soon as the bowl has been removed. IF THE STUBBORNNESS CONTINUES If your cat’s fussiness continues, think about trying an alternative high quality cat food. Stick with the previous preference, whether dry or wet. Sometimes a simple change of recipe will get the taste buds working again. You should also check your cat’s teeth. A dental problem or abscess could make eating difficult or painful. If your cat’s gums are red or swollen, or the breath is unpleasant, ask your vet for a dental check-up. REFUSAL TO EAT FOR 24 HOURS OR LONGER If your cat refuses all food for 24 hours or more, consult your vet. Refusal to eat can indicate a developing allergy, or be a sign of a more serious complaint. It may just be fussiness, but it’s always best to be safe and check with an expert.

Cats have four main protective systems that work together to protect, support and promote health and wellbeing. These are the skin and coat, digestive system (gastrointestinal tract), immune system and urinary system. The performance of each is interlinked to the other. Less-than-optimal performance in one will lead to adverse effects in the other systems. The skin and coat system is the largest organ in the body. The skin is the main organ through which the body interacts with the outside environment. The skin and coat have a variety of protective functions. These include providing a physical barrier for the rest of the body against the external environment. The digestive system works to protect the cat in two ways. The first is by digesting and absorbing essential nutrients that can be utilised by it and the other protective systems to promote overall health and wellbeing. Secondly, the digestive system plays an immunologic role to defend against bacteria and toxins that have entered the body from the outside world. In fact, the digestive system is the primary site for the body’s immune system response, containing as much as 70% of the body’s immune cells. The immune system is central to all the cat’s protective systems. It is a complex network in the body designed to provide the host animal with protection against foreign invaders that can trigger disease, negatively impact heath, or affect overall wellbeing. It is the role of the immune system to recognise invading agents and then repel or destroy them. The urinary system is integral to the wellbeing and overall health of the cat. Strong, healthy kidneys and optimal urinary p H can help prevent stone formation. Fatty acids help regulate kidneys, which are the body’s essential filtration system, flushing out potentially harmful substances from the body as urine, ensuring optimal urinary tract health and performance. Each of these four systems operates at its peak efficiently only when supplied with vital nutrients at an appropriate level from the cat’s diet. That’s why PRO PLAN® OPTINUTRITION provides high quality food, made with high quality ingredients, that will help ensure constant replenishment of the vital nutrients necessary for the protective systems to function at peak performance. For more information contact the Purina Pet Care Advice teamherefor free advice.