- Cats are “true” carnivores.
- This means they do not need any carbohydrates for normal metabolic functions. The diet should be close to 0% carbohydrates.
- The diet should be 100% moist food, ideally a commercial raw diet (frozen or freeze dried), commercial lightly cooked, homemade or canned.
- The diet should be made by a reputable manufacturer, resources for choosing are listed below.
- The diet must be, at the very least, formulated to meet AAFCO nutritional standards for your pets needs. AAFCO feeding trials alone are not adequate.
- You should do some research, resources are listed below.
- You should feed variety, not always the same brand, same flavor, etc.
- If your cat is prone to vomiting or diarrhea you should avoid fish, fish flavors, fish meal, carrageenan, corn, wheat and carrots.
Online resources:
Pet Nutrition Alliance
Tufts University – Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Cats.com
PetFoodReviewer.com
Acvn.org (American College of Veterinary Nutrition)
PetFoodIndustry.com