Keeping Your Feline Friend Healthy This Winter*

Cats rely on us for the food and shelter that they need to remain fit and healthy all year round, this is especially important if your cat is an outdoor cat.This is especially true in the winter — the most trying of all seasons for a cat to be outside.Thankfully my cat isn’t one of those. She’s indoors and pampered to death but it doesn’t mean it’s any less important for me to make sure she’s getting the right care.

This short guide will help you understand the best types of food, and what to avoid, for your cat to thrive and receive the best possible nutrients this winter.

Meat & More Meat
Although you may choose the veggie or vegan life, cats are Obligatory Carnivores and can not. This means that according to their genetic makeup, cats need to eat the meat  in order for them to survive and their main source of a nutrients must come from meat. Although they can eat other foods such as fruits and vegetables (who knew? Elsa wouldn’t go near either!) they must have a plentiful supply of meat in order for them to survive. This functions as an essential amino acid and helps to keep a cat’s immune system in top condition, which is particularly important in the winter when temperatures can impact an animal’s strength and ability to function normally.

Mix It Up With Canned & Dry Foods
I have to say before doing the research I was guilty of giving my cat the same food every day, with the exception of tuna once a week. I hate eating the same stuff so I can only imagine how she feels. Little did I know cats need a variety of different foods in their diet, especially in the winter, because:

• A cat can just as easily become dehydrated in the winter months as they would in the summer; cats don’t usually drink a lot of water, so ensuring they receive wet canned foods is an important measure in keeping them hydrated.
• If cats are fed the same food day in and day out, they become bored. What is worrying is that cats will simply decide to stop eating. During the winter, it is important to check your cat remains fuelled on the foods that it eats so that it can comfortably roam in the frost or a blizzard.
• Cats can be fussy, and if they’re given something they like over a prolonged period of time, they can become addicted to that particular food. If you mix it up from the start this will stop your cat becoming addicted to a certain kind of food and in the long run prevent them from being fussy. Always important in case they discontinue their favourite food!

What Foods to Avoid Altogether
On the whole, wet canned foods are better for cats than dry foods. This is because dry foods can contain up to 50% carbohydrates in the form of grain. Cats really don’t need this when their main source of food should take the form of meat rather than carbohydrates. If you’d still like to provide your cat with a healthier alternative to wet canned food, try Feedem’s Grain Free Cat Food is perfect, Elsa loves it!

All quality cat food will include a stated meat within the ingredients. If your food does not currently state this, then you need to find one that does. If it doesn’t this could lead to your cat not receiving the correct nutrients during such a difficult season.

Whether your cat spends the majority of its time on the sofa, or enjoys perusing the great outdoors, it is important to make sure that they are receiving the correct nutrients during all year but especially during winter months. If you’re going to be a pet parent make sure you’re doing right by your animal and giving them the best life possible!