To ensure the health and longevity of your cat, it is vital that she receives an appropriate diet tailored specifically to her age and stage in life. This will prevent her from becoming overweight and developing serious illnesses.

Commercial dry foods contain large quantities of calories that may lead to weight gain for cats. Furthermore, many contain carbohydrates which should be limited. Therefore, to protect their wellbeing and maintain good health for themselves and other household members they should avoid such diets altogether.

Quality

Quality matters when purchasing cat food. Cheaper brands often contain lower-grade ingredients and chemical preservatives that may be detrimental to cats. Common low-quality ingredients in pet foods include corn, wheat and corn gluten meal (which offer inadequate protein) while beef tallow (low quality fat from slaughtered animals) and carrageenan can cause digestive issues in some cats). Fillers or flavor boosters often make up most of these cheap ingredients used as fillers or flavor enhancers in cat food formulation.

Reading labels is the key to selecting quality cat food. A top brand will contain high-grade meat and nutritionally beneficial ingredients while being free from artificial flavors and colors. Some pet owners like to offer both dry and wet options in their meal plan for their cat.

Cats differ from dogs in that they require only meat-based nutrients for good health, such as taurine, arachidonic acid and preformed form of vitamin A found in animal tissues. While you could make your own homemade diet that fulfills their requirements for optimal performance, purchasing commercial cat food formulated by experts would likely be faster and safer for both of you.

Dry cat foods contain a range of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins in their mix. To be most nutritionally sound, the highest-quality options should contain at least 60 percent protein with 10-20 percent fat; vegetables, fruit and grains make up the rest. Examples of high-quality dry food products are Orijen for its 90 percent natural protein diet made with fresh raw meats and fish from New Zealand-sourced free range farms and Ziwi Peak for adult cats which is tailored towards New Zealand-sourced free-range meats from New Zealand free-range farms sourced free-range meat farms.

Wet cat food contains more moisture than its dry counterpart, and can therefore be more appealing to some cats. It can aid digestion, reduce constipation and provide more consistent diet; however, its high moisture content could increase caloric consumption leading to an increase in caloric consumption and an increased risk of obesity.

Age

A large bag of cat food should last three to four months when fed once daily to your cat, while smaller packages should last shorter. You can extend its shelf life with Mylar bags and oxygen absorbers; however, frequent rotation is still recommended to avoid mold growth and keep food fresh.

Preservatives used in cat food also influence its shelf life, with natural preservatives typically having shorter lifespans than their artificial counterparts; some research even suggests they could potentially pose health risks over time.

When buying cat food, always check its expiration date – which should be printed on its packaging or label – also known as its Best Before date and indicates when its nutritional value may decrease. Canned foods typically last longer due to heat sterilization and vacuum sealing in an oxygen-free environment than dry varieties.

Food that has gone bad will inevitably spoil for both dry and canned pet diets, and can contain dangerous parasites that could put their health at risk. Taste, scent and hard chewability issues could all become issues as soon as it reaches expiry. Expired food may even harbor parasites such as worms or insects which could spread serious illness to your animal friend.

As a rule of thumb, pet food should always be stored in a cool and dark area; direct sunlight and basement areas should be avoided for storage purposes. Cat food should ideally be kept in either your pantry or kitchen cabinets rather than being left out in the garage where humidity may accelerate nutrient loss.

As your cat gets older, his digestive processes become less efficient at breaking down proteins and fats, necessitating feeding him food with more carbohydrates that is easier for older animals to process. You could also opt for senior-specific dry food which provides specific support for his growing body.

At a reliable pet shop, your cat food should have an extended shelf life. Most dry and canned pet foods carry a “best by” date printed on their packaging – however this doesn’t indicate it would become unhealthy after this date has passed.

Activity level

Activity level should play an essential part when choosing how much food to give your cat. Kittens require more energy for growth while adult cats may require fewer calories as they age and neutered or spayed cats may require even less to avoid weight gain. Talk with a veterinarian about ensuring your pet’s diet remains nutritionally sound.

The shelf life of dry cat food depends on its brand, storage method and amount consumed. While unopened bags may last up to 14 days when stored properly in cool locations with Mylar bags or oxygen absorbers used as buffers; additionally it’s wise to rotate cat food every three or four months so as to prevent mold growth.

While cats may enjoy snacking whenever they feel hungry, a set amount of food should be provided daily to them in order to maintain a healthy weight. Different brands of cat food may contain different calorie amounts; therefore it’s wise to consult your veterinarian as to which product would best benefit your pet’s wellbeing.

Cats that eat on demand can suffer from overly large intestines that lead to digestive tract blockages that could potentially be life-threatening for them, so it’s crucial that their meals be placed on a schedule. Some owners choose only two meals daily while others provide up to 10 per day.

Calorie content of some foods can be found on the back of their packaging; however, your cat’s food could vary in terms of its quality and the amounts of fat and protein it contains. To determine the appropriate Calorie count for your cat, consult your vet or conduct some online research; getting an accurate Calorie count is especially crucial for older cats who often experience decreased appetite and metabolism as they age.

Feeding schedule

How much food a cat needs each day is dependent upon its size and activity levels, so the best way to determine their daily food requirements is weighing your feline friend with a pet food scale (this can be done either using an in-home kitchen scale or portable digital pet food scale like Petfusion’s digital handheld pet scales). Once you know how many calories your feline requires daily, then calculate how long a bag of food will last them.

Maintain a regular feeding schedule to maintain optimal cat health. Too little food may lead to malnourishment; too much could result in weight gain and diseases like diabetes. Regular monitoring of body condition score should help ensure you do not overfeed your cat.

Cats have small stomachs and should be fed frequently throughout the day in small portions. As cats become hungry after eight hours without being fed, two meals daily is ideal. Strays in particular may appear starving all of the time or exhibit signs of food anxiety, yet regular access to food must still be ensured for optimal health.

Some cat owners may wish to feed their felines more frequently than two times daily, with veterinarian approval. Keep in mind that dry food offers less nutrients than canned options so only offer small quantities of each.

Food should be stored safely away from potential disruption, with its expiration dates regularly checked to prevent your pet from eating outdated or expired food. In order to protect their safety and ensure safe consumption by your cat or kitten, it’s vitally important that these dates are monitored.

If you decide to switch your cat’s diet, experts suggest gradually introducing their new food over a three week period to avoid stomach upset and make the transition smoother for them. At first, 1/4 of their old diet should be mixed in with 1/4 of the new one for two to four days, before slowly transitioning over the remaining days until both foods are evenly balanced in their composition.