Make sure your cat has a healthy diet

 

Facts

• Without water to drink, a cat may become seriously ill within hours.
   
• Cats need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy - cats cannot be vegetarians.
   
• Cats have very specific dietary needs which typical human food does not meet, and some human foods are poisonous to cats, e.g. onions.
   
• An individual cat’s dietary needs depend upon his/her age, lifestyle and his/her state of health.
   
• Cats naturally eat several small meals per day.
   
• How much a cat needs to eat depends on his/her diet, his/her bodyweight and how active he/she is.
   
• If a cat eats more food than he/she needs, he/she will become overweight and may suffer.
   
• Many cats will not eat if their food is placed too close to their toilet site.
   

Things you should do

• Provide your cat with constant access to clean drinking water; cow’s milk is not a substitute.
   
• Make sure your cat eats a balanced diet suitable for his/her age, health status and lifestyle.
   
• Feed your cat every day, preferably splitting the daily ration into several small meals throughout the day (unless advised otherwise by your vet).
   
• Read and follow the feeding instructions relating to any cat foods that you buy.
   
• Adjust how much you feed your cat to make sure he/she does not become underweight or overweight.
   
• If your cat’s eating and drinking habits change, talk to your vet, as your cat could be ill.
   
• Position your cat’s food and water well away from his/her litter tray (if you provide one).