Foolproof vet-approved advice
Feeding your cat is no mean feat. As unique creatures with their own quirks, (often rather vocal) preferences and specific biological demands, it’s important to do your research and find high-quality food that suits their needs.
Many owners are beginning to understand the importance of fresh and raw ingredients in cat nutrition; partially as a reflection of cutting back on heavily processed food in our own diets but also in growing recognition of cats’ heritage as hunters, which still heavily informs their eating habits today.
In partnership with super-premium pet food brand ORIJEN – which prides itself on providing biologically appropriate nutrition for cats at all life stages through its range, including its Guardian 8 and Kitten diets – we asked TV vet Dr Marc Abraham OBE for advice on upgrading your cat’s current meal plan.
They may spend more time snoozing on your sofa than stalking prey these days, but ‘the domestic cat is descended from the North African wildcat, and remains similar in size, shape and physiology,’ explains Dr Abraham. ‘Cats are extremely well-adapted to a predator lifestyle. Not only do they eat meat, but they have become somewhat dependent on it.’
To keep your cat happy and healthy throughout its lifetime, choose food labelled as ‘complete’, which signals that it’s been developed to meet all their nutritional needs, and is made from protein-rich ingredients. In particular, look for foods made with WholePrey, which include meat, poultry or fish alongside nutrient-rich organs and bones, replicating that experience of catching and consuming in the wild. The ORIJEN range is packed with WholePrey ingredients – in fact, the first five ingredients are always fresh or raw – allowing your cat to eat as their ancestors once did, just in a more convenient kibble form.
‘Under natural circumstances, cats consume frequent small meals,’ says Dr Abraham. ‘The average mouse contains about 30 calories, so cats would traditionally need to eat around 10 per day to meet their daily energy and nutrient requirements.’
However, a domestic cat now relies on its humans to serve up its dinner, and this process is typically dictated by our schedules, rather than theirs. To mimic their natural behaviours, try providing meals more often, in smaller quantities. If you’re not home to stagger mealtimes throughout the day, look to invest in an automatic feeder that could dispense some of them for you.
‘Obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in UK cats, making them susceptible to health problems such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis,’ Dr Abraham warns. Most cats are fed from the same bowl in the same location every day, meaning they don’t have to exert themselves to get food – often causing excess weight to creep on over time. Many vets run free weight clinics where you can find out the ideal body weight for your cat, along with a recommended diet and exercise plan.
However, ORIJEN provides a helpful feeding guide on every bag – based on your cat’s current weight and activity level – to remind you to weigh out every meal. Plus, as its foods are so nutrient dense, your cat only needs a small serving to feel nourished – a tip that also means each bag lasts longer.
Overfeeding doesn’t just make your cat more inclined to gain weight – it can also mean that they start to get fed up with their meals. ‘In today’s modern world, cats often miss out on opportunities to hunt for their food, which, unsurprisingly, can lead to boredom, apathy, anxiety, frustration, stress and related behavioural issues,’ Dr Abraham says.
To prevent this becoming an issue for your cat, rotate the location of their bowl and try using puzzle feeders, which must be manipulated to release food. This helps meal times last longer and encourages exercise, as well as providing a fun brainteaser.
ORIJEN is designed to nourish as nature intended, whatever the stage of your cat’s life. To find out more, visit orijenpetfoods.co.uk