For many years I’ve been health conscious about my own diet, but then I thought what about my cats? I know what kinds of foods are healthy for me, but what cat food is truly a healthy cat food? I tried looking at labels a few times, but I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for. Which ingredients are essential and healthy and which ingredients are fillers?

I’m a firm believer that nutrition is the foundation of health and I wanted good nutrition for my cats too. I want them to have a good quality of life, to be with me for a long time, and none of us are fans of unnecessary visits to the vet. Regular check ups are essential, of course, but by feeding them a healthy diet I hope to lower the risk of them contracting some of the common cat health problems that seem to occur all too often.

So I started doing my research. First it’s important to understand the biology of a cat. Cats are obligate carnivores so they need a high percentage of protein in order for their bodies to function well. Without proper levels of taurine, which is found in meats, cats can experience a range of health problems that can include blindness. Needless to say a quality source of protein will be the first ingredient listed in a healthy cat food.

Although we’ve domesticated them, by nature they hunt their food and eat it raw. As unpleasant as it may sound to us it’s natural for them. Because of this they have a low thirst drive; they were meant to get moisture in their food. Many cats that are on an all dry food diet don’t get enough liquids which can cause a problem with feline urinary tract infections. It’s good to give your cat at least some moist food, whether it’s canned or raw or frozen. As part of a healthy feline diet it’s also good to encourage your cat to drink by having clean, fresh water in a couple areas of your house.

A good deal of people food is processed and has a lot of junk in it. The same thing is also true for cat food. By using fillers cat food manufacturers can produce cat food at a much lower cost, unfortunately cats don’t always respond so well to these fillers. Many cats develop allergies, sensitive stomachs (meaning they may vomit too often for reasons other than trying to get rid of a hairball), or other cat health problems.

A good general rule when looking for a healthy cat food is to make sure the first ingredient is a quality protein. Additionally look for whole foods and grains like brown rice, carrots and even blueberries, and quality fats like flax oil or chicken fat. Avoid cat foods with artificial colors and preservatives. Cats can often be sensitive to these too.

In the long run I’ve saved money by spending a little more on higher quality cat foods. Helping to keep the immune system strong goes a long way towards keeping my cats happy and healthy. One of my cats is 19+ and still going strong.

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