Healthy Cat Diets 

Your cat can put on quite a pathetic show at dinner time, telling you in no uncertain terms that she wants a taste of your human food!  Out of love, you give her a bit of "human food" so she'll be happy.  Unfortunately, "human food" might not be very good for you cat.  Cats have special dietary requirements that, if not met, will result in sickness and might even cause death.

Some Foods are Toxic or Fattening for Your Cat

"Human food" like chocolate and onion are toxic for your cat and will make her sick. Considering how much fat is in the typical American diet, table scraps may introduce too much fat into your kitty's system to be properly digested. A cat that eats a lot of table scraps is generally an overweight, unhealthy cat.  A little special taste of "human food" for Thanksgiving, Christmas or your kitty’s birthday certainly won't hurt.  As a matter of fact, a little bit of turkey will be good for her! Just make sure that these types of treats are the exception rather than the rule, and practice moderation no matter how much your kitty complains.

Not All Commercial Cat Foods Are Created Equal 

Cheap commercial cat food may be inferior.  By feeding your cat foods that do not contain the proper nutrients, you may be jeopardizing your cat's health.  Fatty liver disease, obesity, and painful urinary tract disorders are frequent results of a poor cat diet.   These health problems can come from your cat eating food scraps or eating poor quality commercial cat food.

A Veterinarian Can Help with Your Cat's Diet

There are so many different kinds of cat food on the market that it is hard to know what is healthy for your cat and what is not.  If your kitty is bloated or sickly, it could be because of the food.  A veterinarian will be able to help you maneuver through the maze of a cat’s nutritional needs, understand the difference between taurine and other nutrients listed on the label, and can help you figure out if dry food or canned food is the best option for your cat.

"Healthy Cat Diets" contributed by Angela Janz