Owning a cat could prove a beneficial experience if you’re looking for a warm soul to come home to every evening. These felines are wonderful companions and are proven to help you reduce stress and anxiety, battle high blood pressure and heart diseases, as well as insomnia, and even improve your social skills.
Although they are the second most popular pets in the world after dogs, cats don’t share the same diet with them or with you for that matter. One important thing to bear in mind is that cats are carnivorous animals, meaning they survive mainly on meat and meat-related products.
If you want to make sure your pet lives a long and healthy existence, apart from canned cat food, here are some ingredients that are considered safe both for you and for your feline pet.
Cooked meat
Although cats can easily eat raw meat as well, we suggest you always provide it cooked to avoid infections with dangerous germs and bacteria such as salmonella.
These animals are designed to get most of their protein and nutrients from meat and not from carbs or vegetables like humans, so you need to make sure your cat’s diet is mainly based on meat in all its forms.
Your pet should have access to a clean source of proteins, which means organic and healthy meat, low in fats, and rich in other elements. Chicken, lamb, beef, turkey, and game meat are amongst the healthiest choices and can be served rare, medium-rare or fully cooked, depending on your preferences as well.
However, if you plan on serving your cat the same type of meat as your dinner or even cook dinner for the both of you, avoid adding too many spices or herbs as well as too much salt. Ideally, leave the meat unseasoned and cook it properly on both parts to eliminate the risk of food poisoning or bacterial infections.
Fish
Fish, and especially salmon is a great source of proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, strengthening the bones, the vision, and promoting a healthy, thick, and shiny coat for your cat. Although fish, just like meat, can also be found in commercial cat food, both dry and wet, you can always combine it with a serving of “the real deal”.
Other delicious and healthy types of fish your cat can eat include trout, sardines, and carp. Seafood is another wonderful idea, as long as you serve it cooked, just like the rest of the food.
Spinach
Although carnivorous, cats can also indulge in other ingredients that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants, such as spinach. This green leaf is a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, and also offers calcium and iron to promote strong bones and healthy, sharp teeth.
However, if your pet has a history of calcium oxalate bladder stones, you might want to replace spinach with other veggies.
Eggs
Cooked eggs represent a healthy alternative to all meat-based diets and are also a great source of proteins and B vitamins. They can be served on a regular basis as long as they are properly cooked. However, since you’ll also find it in some dry cat foods, consider feeding them to your cat as occasional treats.
Fruits
Certain fruits like bananas and cantaloupes are rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene, and potassium, proving healthy and delicious treats for your pet. They can improve your pet’s immune system, vision, and also help the digestive system to work properly.
Apples are high in vitamin C and fibers, while blueberries represent a wonderful source of vitamins A and C, as well as natural antioxidants. However, as fresh and sweet as they seem, fruits shouldn’t count for more than 10% of your pet’s diet.
You should also make sure your pawed friend has access to a clean source of water, so you may want to check a curated list of automatic water bowls to find the perfect one for your pet’s needs.
