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Best Homemade Cat Food: Top 3 Benefits Of Homemade Food
If you are wondering why to bother making cat food, take into account the following advantages.
1) It’s all-natural
Did you ever wonder why wet and dry cat food has endured for so long? How do they maintain their taste and properties for years?
There is extra processing and artificial preservatives in even the best cat foods.
Chemical preservatives and flavors are not good for a cat’s health, and their symptoms might even go unnoticed since many cats are allergic to them.
Homemade cat food also contains more natural vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Since the ingredients are fresh, they can be digested faster.
2) It has pure protein
Wet cat food contains 8-10% protein, whereas dry cat food contains 30-40%. Many manufacturers also include soy and bean products in their products as a source of this nutrient.
Not all cats will benefit from those ingredients. Peas, lentils, and soy can cause allergic reactions in pets.
3) There’s nothing extra
What else does cat food contain? Manufacturers add plant-based oils, grains and seeds, and other questionable ingredients that provide carbs and fats.
Such ingredients may cause health problems and are not digestible.
It is important to realize that natural cat food recipes contain a long list of other ingredients that are not present.
These allow for the avoidance of potentially dangerous products.
You can make your own cat food if you don’t fear that you can’t store the food for a long time or you won’t be able to use an automatic feeder.
Homemade Cat Food: Essential Nutrients In A Cat’s Diet
What should the cat’s food recipe include? Any food you serve the cat must include certain nutrients.
1) Protein
You should determine how much protein your cat needs before you formulate recipes for cats.
Generally speaking, it is based on their life stages, but a vet should determine the average norm individually. An adult cat needs approximately 12.5 gms of protein daily.
As a cat age, its protein requirements increase (say, cats aged 10-12 need 6-8 grams of protein with each meal).
Veterinarians point out that high-protein food is not always the best option. Raw meat like- chicken, turkey, beef, rabbit, and eggs provide cats with their primary source of protein.
By following the basic principles of cat nutrition, you will ensure healthy growth and development of muscles.
2) Fiber
In order to maintain healthy digestion and metabolism, fiber is essential.
Identify what will be the fiber source for the cat food when defining how it will be made. Some cats enjoy eating vegetables, while others prefer chewing on fruits and berries.
It is crucial to consult your veterinarian regarding what sources of fiber are fermentable for cats – you need to find products that do not cause gas, diarrhea, constipation, and other side effects.
You can also consider serving fibers derived from prey animals such as ligaments, cartilage, tendons, bones, and fur. Consider switching to wet cat food if your cat is sensitive to both plant-based fibers and animal-based fibers.
3) Fats and carbs
It is necessary to have fat in order to absorb vitamins and minerals, even though it leads to obesity.
Furthermore, it absorbs fatty acids, which are necessary for reproduction, wound healing, and healthy skin and hair. Carbohydrates and fats both serve as energy sources.
About five grams of fat are needed each day by an adult cat. There are no exact numbers given for carbohydrates, but the science suggests they should not exceed 2% in food.
If you switch to homemade food, both fats and carbs will be present in meat. To prevent obesity in your cat, choose lean meats such as chicken or turkey breast.
Undernourished pets may gravitate towards fatty pieces of meat.
4) Vitamins
The toughest part is determining the concentration of vitamins in homemade food since it’s hard to determine. Nevertheless, you need to be aware of which vitamins cats need:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Riboflavin
- Folic acid
- Niacin
- Vitamin B1, B6, B12
- Pantothenic acid
- Taurine
How can you ensure your cat’s diet includes all of them? Make a plan with your veterinarian.
Providing vitamin supplements to your pet will be necessary if certain elements are missing.
5) Minerals
The following minerals should be included in a cat’s diet:
- Calcium
- Phosphorous
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Iron
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Iodine
- Chlorine
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Copper
A veterinarian can advise you on how to include all of these elements in the food you serve your cat.
Homemade Cat Food: Ingredients To Avoid
You should also consider one more thing when deciding how to make your cat food: what should be avoided.
Cats are known to be allergic to certain products that are added by some manufacturers.
Some of these include:
Wheat and Soybeans
Wheat and soybeans both are potential allergens for cats.
Many pet owners don’t even notice the symptoms of wheat-derived gluten allergy, which can cause skin irritation and itching.
Wheat fiber has the same properties as wheat fiber; do not add it to the cat’s food.
Peas And Pea Fiber
While many manufacturers include peas as a protein source, peas have no proven benefit for the cat’s health. Some cats might also be allergic to peas.
Corn
The genetically modified nature of many crops makes corn a poor source of protein. It’s better to avoid products that contain GMOs since no study has been done on their long-term effects on cats.
Some Fruits, Veggies, And Berries
Tomatoes, red apples, avocados, cranberries, and zucchini. You should watch your pet’s reaction if they are allergic (the reaction is individual).
Non-Specific Meat And Meat By-Products
When a cat eats nothing but by-products (organs, skin, fur), there may be an imbalance in the nutrients it receives.
Homemade Cat Food: How To Make It?
A healthy feline recipe should consider all the aspects of healthy feline nutrition: the amount of protein, fat, and carbs should be considered calculated.
In addition to vitamins, and micro-and macro-elements, the food must contain all the necessary nutrients.
Keep in mind that adding human spices can be harmful to cats, so you should learn about human foods that cats shouldn’t eat.
Homemade Cat Food: Conclusion At The End Of The Day
You should consider the nutritional needs of your feline family members when choosing a diet for them.
All-natural products help prevent diseases of the gastrointestinal system and kidneys, as well as allow carnivorous cats to enjoy their meals more.
Knowing how to make wet cat food makes maintaining the proper balance of nutrients easier.
A veterinarian should be consulted before switching your cat’s diet from cooked to raw – a specialist will help you determine the best formula for your pet.
Homemade Cat Food: FAQs
How can I get my cat to eat homemade cat food?
You can switch a cat from canned (wet) food to raw or cooked food much easier. Normally, it takes approximately seven days for the transition to occur. Initially, you serve food in a 20/80 ratio, then 40/60, then 50/50, and gradually replace the old food. However, the transition process may take months – don’t give up. Raw/cooked treats, such as chicken wings, are recommended by some pet owners.
What are the ingredients in homemade cat food?
Cat food made at home is typically made with raw meat (chicken, turkey, duck, rabbit, fish, pork, lamb), liver, salmon oil, and eggs. In addition, cat owners can give their pets vitamin complexes, salt, potatoes, brown rice, and fruits/vegetables.
How should homemade cat food be stored?
Refrigerators are usually used to store them. They last for 24 to 72 hours after preparation. Meals can be prepared ahead of time and defrosted before serving if raw meat is served. The nutrients in frozen food do not lose their potency after months of storage.
Is it possible to make homemade dry cat food at home?
Healthy dry cat food can be made at home. For this purpose, slow-baking is ideal because it conserves nutrients and keeps the food crisp. Our separate guide describes the recipes and techniques.
