| Healthy nutrition will lead to a healthy cat! Just as people have different nutritional requirements as they grow up, cats' nutritional needs change with age. What is good for a growing, 5-month old kitten may be detrimental to a 12-year old, senior, cat. As with humans, felines need a balanced diet to ensure they get the right amount of nutrition for their daily levels of activity.
An adult cat with normal levels of activity does not need anything more than a maintenance diet. However it is important to be aware of the various factors that influence a cat's eating patterns. These include activity level, age, breed, size, and metabolism of a cat. The odour, temperature and texture of the food also plays a role. Illness or trauma will also affect a cat's feeding behaviour .
Taste, texture, and moisture content of food is more important to cats than it is to dogs. Cats will choose foods on the basis of these features, which is why it is so important for cat owners to ensure their feline friends are getting all the nutritional requirements they need. There are several good quality commercial cat foods on the market that provide a complete and balanced meal and will serve the needs of the average feline.
The body fat test
A cat in good body condition is well proportioned, with an observable waist behind the ribcage and ribs that can be felt with a slight amount of fat covering them. Cats have a tendency to become obese quickly, so you should also feel for a fatty flab between their back legs. This is not loose skin – it is an indication that your cat is becoming too heavy and you will need to start watching your pet's diet, or consider switching to a lite formula. Check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
If you live in a multi-cat household with one fat cat, here are some pointers to help your obese feline lose weight:
- Feed the slim cats at a height that the fat one cannot jump up to or reach
- Feed in separate rooms, and do not leave food down all day. Divide the measured amount into three feeds, to be given in the morning, when you return from work, and just before bed. The advantage of this type of feeding is that you will pick up loss of appetite and possible illness more quickly.
- Always feed your overweight cat in a special place so he doesn't feel ostracised, and one where he will receive more attention for you, such as in your bedroom or the TV room.
- Build a “house” with a small door that only the slim ones can enter, and feed the fatter cat in special spot
Every cat is an individual
Factors that influence the amount of food required by a typical adult cat includes activity level, temperature and body metabolism.
Two cats of similar size, age, and activity may need different amounts of food simply because they have different metabolic rates. A cat's appetite and total food consumption will vary from day to day. Loss of appetite or reluctance to eat, are only serious when they persist for more than two days or if your cat shows symptoms of illness. If this happens, take your feline to your veterinarian.
Generally, cats eat the amount of food required to satisfy their individual energy requirements . However most cats are nibblers or occasional eaters, preferring to eat smaller meals more frequently, so it is best to ensure that a pre-measured quantity of food is available to them for several hours during the day. If given free access to a specific amount of food, cats will eat between 12 and 20 meals a day, evenly spread out over a 24-hour period. If you simply fill up your cat's bowl when it is empty, the chances of it becoming obese are far greater. Overweight cats have a three times higher risk of developing diabetes.
Also ensure that they have access to a constant source of fresh clean water throughout the day, as water is important for all bodily functions such as digestion, absorption, circulation, transporting nutrients and waste, building tissue and regulating body temperature.
Odour, temperature and texture influence perception of flavour
Exposure to certain flavours and textures of food early in life can shape strong preferences later on, as can meal temperature, odour, texture and taste. When switching to a new food, it is important to gradually mix the familiar food with the new food before switching completely.
A cat's sense of smell is far more sensitive than that of humans. If the food smells good, cats are more likely to eat it. When food is left to stand in a dish the odour released decreases during the day making the food less appealing. If you have a problem eater, tempt her with small, regular quantities of a warm, palatable food.
Most cats prefer food at temperatures around 35°C – it smells better and this temperature is similar to that of freshly killed prey.
The texture of a food also affects palatability. Cats are unable to chew effectively; instead they tear and then swallow food. The moisture content of the food influences the meal size and speed at which food is eaten. Moist or “wet” canned food is eaten rapidly while the more calorie dense dry foods are consumed at a slower, more constant rate.
Variety is the spice of life
Generally, cats enjoy variety in their diet and will often choose a new diet in preference to a familiar one, as long as the difference is not too great, or the palatability too low. Increasing the amount of flavours (by feeding different varieties) and textures (dry and canned) in the diet may also tempt finicky eaters. However changing your cat's diet can be a balancing act – if you constantly change its diet, you may encourage finickiness; if you have a fussy cat, variety can be the best way of tempting your feline to eat more. It is best to follow this rule of thumb: don't change your cat's diet if he or she is happy on it.
However, a cat under stress will always prefer familiar food, so if you board your feline when you travel, remember to pack some of her favourite food to help her settle more quickly.
Other factors that impact on a cat's appetite
Other factors such as lighting and noise levels, affect feeding patterns, so your feeding spot is as important as the type of food you give.
Physiological factors, such as age, health and sexual activity can also affect appetite, as well as introducing or losing a human or animal in the cat's environment.
Contacts
PFI: Barry Hundley, 033-343-2874 or pfi-sa@iafrica.com or visit www.petwise.co.za
Prominent Marketing: Liz Rogers, 011-465-8878 or liz@pro-mark.co.za
Editors Note
The Pet Food Industry (PFI) Association is a non-profit body formed by manufacturers, dedicated to upholding quality standards that ensure the nutritional well-being of household pets. Representative of 80% of the pet food market in South Africa, each member commits to manufacture and market food that meets internationally accepted standards as set out in Act 36 of 1947. The Department of Agriculture's Regulatory Authority manages Act 36.
Pet food is randomly and regularly purchased by the PFI, and submitted for independent analysis. If the food does not meet the registered requirements, the manufacturer is reported to the Registrar of Act 36 for legal action.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding pet food, or for more information about the PFI, contact Barry Hundley, Executive Director of the Pet Food Industry Association (PFI) on +27 (0)33-343-2874 or e-mail him on pfi-sa@iafrica.com .
Who belongs to the PFI?
These companies and brands are members of the PFI :-
AFGRI Veevoere: Jock, Lek-a-Lik
Aquanutro: Aquanutro
Avi-Products: Avi-Plus, Top Dog
Bokomo Feeds: Trusty
Borbely Trading: Technopet
CJ Maize Mills: Doggie Delights
Complete Dog Food: Complete
Digestive Feeds: Checkout, Mighty Bites, Winston
Ensemble Trading: Master's Choice
Jax Manufacturing: Wagtail
Hill's Pet Nutrition: Hill's Prescription Diet, Hill's Science Diet
IAMS South Africa: Eukanuba, Eukanuba Veterinary Diets, IAMS
JCW Petfood: York, Warrior
Martin & Martin: Bob Martin, Lopis, Marpet, West's Beeno
Master Foods SA: Kit e Kat, Pal, Pedigree, Whiskas
Nestl é Purina: Alpo Full Course, Alpo Husky, Alpo Vitagen, Beggin' Strips, Butch, Epol CatzDLite, Expert's Choice, Fancy Feast, Felix, Felix Lickens, Friskies, Friskies Fine Cuts, Friskies Pamper, Olympic, Proplan, TBonz
Nola: Bobcat, Bobtail, Bonzo, Catmor, Dogmor, Optimizer, Scientific Veterinary Diets
Noordfed: Brakanjan, Fultum, Highland, Superior
Oceana Brands: Happy Pet, Lucky Pet
Petfood Caterers: Good 4 U, Menu, Zest
Promeal: Boss, Chat, Petley's, Scott's, Top Cat
Royal Canin South Africa: Royal Canin, Vets Choice
Woolworths: Nutrition First
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