food

cats are carnivores and need a high-protein diet and a constant supply of fresh water. don't even think about converting your cat into a vegetarian, as this can result in serious health problems for your cat! dog food is also not suitable for cats. it doesn't have the correct balance of nutrients which is vital to keep your cat healthy.
avoid offering food straight from the fridge. warm it up a little if you have to keep leftovers from the can. (some seconds in the microwave does the trick, make sure you stir the food to avoid hot spots) cats are fussy about their food and will turn their noses if its stale, gone off or too cold.

types of food

premium cat food

• predominantly sold at specialized pet-shops and vet surgeries, more expensive
• the best you can get for your cat, low in bulk therefore easier to digest, less waste
• little or no artificial colourings
• available in dry and canned varieties
• example brands are: hills science diet, iams, purina etc.

wet food

• in cans, high water content, expensive in comparison with dried food
• good if your cat doesn't drink a lot or has a condition where it needs more fluid intake
• smells strong, spoils quickly, can promote tartar build up

dry food

• dried kibbles, water must be available at all times, higher in magnesium (which can promote urinary probs in prone cats) choose one with low magnesium content
• helps to prevent tartar build up
• easy to feed, less messy
• good choice for auto-feeders or when you leave food out all day

semi moist

• soft kibbles, less choice in flavours, doesn't have the benefit in tartar prevention
• expensive

homemade food

• a tricky business if you try to meet the exact balance of nutrition's a cat needs
• feed only on occasion as a treat (fresh cooked fish or a boiled chickenbreast)
• lot of work and knowledge needed to get it right
• don't feed people food or scraps form the table, too salty and in some cases even toxic (chocolate, caffeine)

cat treats

• use only sparingly, as a treat
• not a complete cat food
• too much between the meals can lead too obesity

milk

• feed lactose low milk or special cat milk, some cats are intolerant to lactose in cows milk and can develop diarrhea
• feed as a treat
• don't use instead of water, its a food not a drink

kitten food

• specially formulated for kittens, higher in protein and fat, helps bone development and overall kitten-health, to be fed until the age of 12 month
• may also been fed to pregnant and lactating queens
• smaller kibbles and pieces easier to handle for a kitten

feed you cat twice a day, a kitten after weaning, 3 to 5 times a day and reduce the frequency down to 2 times from the age of 6 to 7 month. also go by the feeding instructions on the can or bag, as they may vary from brand to brand.