It's no surprise Texas ranked in the top 10 states for putting their pet's health first. And, a happy and healthy feline starts with what they eat.
Your cat deserves a diet that nourishes them, fills them with energy, and suits their stage in life. Wondering if your current pet food is up to snuff?
Check out this handy checklist and topper cheat sheet to ensure you're serving up the absolute best for your cat 🐾
#1 Start with a base
A "base" is a complete and balanced diet and should be the bulk of your cat's diet, if not all of it. Foods like /span>Kibble (or Dry Food), Wet Food (or Canned), Raw Food, Freeze-Dried Raw, Gently Cooked, and Air-Dried are all base foods.
But like your unique kitty, none of these foods are made equally! Base foods vary in caloric content, ingredients, and protein sources. So, where should you start?
Your cat's base should be:
1️⃣ High in animal-based protein - at least 30%
- The keyword here is "animal-based". Cat's do not do well on plant-based proteins.
- We prefer "named" muscle meats high in taurine amino acid such as Beef, Duck, Venison, Turkey, Salmon, White Fish, Tuna, Scallops, or Chicken.
2️⃣ Complete with healthy fats
-
We're fans of Chicken Fat, Flax Seed, Safflower, Sunflower, Grapeseed, Fish or Salmon Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, and Soybean Oil
3️⃣ Balanced with vitamins & minerals
- Vitamins: Vitamin A, B Vitamins (biotin, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12), Vitamin D, Vitamin E
- Minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium, Iodine
4️⃣ High in moisture content - 10% or above
-
Most kibbles don't include enough moisture when fed alone. Adding wet food or broth is essential.
5️⃣ Avoid nonsense ingredients
- Their food should be free of over processed by-products or fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy
#2 Add variety
Does your current food offer a variety of animal proteins like Beef, Chicken, Pork, or Fish? Unless your cat is allergic to a specific protein a good rule of thumb is to rotate proteins in their diet.
Rotating animal proteins promotes immunity! It also benefits their overall health by giving them a blend of protein specific superfoods, like omega-3s found in fish.
No need to buy multiple bags at once (though your cat might say otherwise). Simply rotate to a different protein when your pet has finished the previous protein.
If your current base food/brand does not offer many options, don't worry. Simply "top" their base food! A topper like Wet Food, Frozen Raw Food, Freeze-dried Raw, or Gently Cooked will have a good mix of available proteins.
Tomlinson's Pro Tip: Did you know cats are desert dwellers by ancestry? This means by nature, cats are more partial to dehydration and won't drink as often as they should. Adding wet foods, broths, raw, or rehydrated freeze-dried products will increase their moisture intake.
#3 Match their life stage
Do you have a kitten? Senior? Indoor? Outdoor? A cat a bit on the chunky side? It's easier than ever to find a food that matches their life stage and nutritional needs.
Feeding based on their life stage addresses different feeding amounts, levels of caloric content, and ingredients. In the end, this will save you money and the mental math of adjusting their feeding amount based on their age or weight.
#4 Nourish & Support
Remember, a base food is their starting point 🤌 And, no two cats have the same nutritional needs. So while base foods are complete and balanced, they may lack the nutritional boost from superfoods to help them thrive.
Support your cat's health by pinpointing your cat's individual needs and adding a supplement! Keep them purring with a little extra love in their bowl.
We've made it easy, here is our cheat sheet:
Urinary Health:
Soothe inflammation with organic fruits like cranberries and superfoods.
Cranberry
Quinoa
L-Lysine Monohydrochloride
Hairball:
Digestive:
Perfect for cats with a sensitive stomach or prescribed a limited-ingredient diet.
Bone Broth
Yogurt - Unsweetened
Cottage Cheese
Wet Food
Probiotics
Pumpkin - Unsweetened
Sweet Potato - Unsweetened
Goat's Milk or Kefir
Joint Health:
Supports the resiliency of joints and connective tissues and reduces inflammation. Recommended for senior pets and cats predisposed to issues.
Green Lipped Mussels
Raw Food
LubrisynHA / Hyaluronic Acid
Coat Health + Itchy Skin:
Adding just one of these items can promote a shiner coat and soothe itchy skin:
Goat's Milk or Kefir
High-Quality Raw Food Topper
Salmon Skins/Oil
Omega-3 Oil
Local Fresh Egg
Heart & Brain Health:
These additions promote a healthy heart, brain wellness, and optimal wellness.
Kelp Powder
Cod Skins
Salmon Skins/Oil
Omega-3 Oil
Green Lipped Mussels
Fish Stock
Coconut Oil
Calming Aids:
Proven to soothe and calm your anxious pet.
Your cat is all set ✨
You've got the main meal down – that's a big 'ole check. Mixin' in different proteins for that immunity-building goodness? You betcha, check! And those toppers sprinkled with superfoods? Oh, check-a-roo!
Your fur kiddo will be diggin' into a feast that's tailored for their happy, healthy selves.
But hold on, partner, picking the right brand for your cat can be a bit like roaming the wild west. No frets – we've rustled up all the nitty-gritty on choosing the best cat food brand for your best friend! We've done the legwork, so y'all don't have to. Dive into the deets on picking out the right food brand here!
We're here for you!
Tomlinson's is your go-to pet supply store for natural, healthy pet products in Austin and the Central Texas region. Come shop in-store and we will help you create the perfect diet specifically for your dog or cat!
Visit our shop full of products sold through team members trained in animal nutrition.
Resources:
https://talkspetfood.aafco.org/roleofaafco
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/pet-food-labels-general
https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-the-difference-between-inspection-and-grading
Local Delivery