Cat Nutrition

So, what's for dinner?

Making smart food choices for your cat isn't that different than making smart choices for yourself. Opt for food that's both nutritionally sound and makes your cat happy.

Dry or wet? Many cats love the taste of canned cat food, but it lacks the convenience to the cat owner of dry cat food. Cats will eat an entire serving of wet food in one sitting. They'll nibble on a bowl of dry throughout the day. You can use both dry and canned varieties to satisfy the cravings and feeding habits of your cat.

Go for quality. Standards of quality and cat nutrition established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensure that AAFCO-compliant cat food provides complete and balanced cat nutrition.

Read the label. Your cat's food should provide a complete and balanced supply of nutrients. For example, new 9Lives Daily Essentials™ offers Omega-3, protein and iron.

Follow guidelines. Offer the right amount, based on the bag, can or your vet's directions. This will be based on your cat's age and/or weight.

The milk myth. They do like the taste, but most adult cats have lost the ability to digest milk. Avoid giving to your cat.

Comfort zone. Give your cat a quiet, clean place to eat. This promotes healthy eating habits.

There are a few common mistakes to avoid when mealtime rolls around.

Don't overfeed. Obesity can increase the risk of heart and liver disease, respiratory problems, orthopedic issues and diabetes.

Proper pets. Make sure your cat isn't eating Fido's food. Dog food is developed for their nutritional needs, and your cat has his own unique requirements, including protein, taurine, niacin, vitamin A and fatty acids.

Skip the scraps. Resist feeding human food to your cat—it can upset his digestive system and make him sick.

Go easy on the treats. Though healthy cat treats are okay from time to time, use them sparingly as a reward for good behavior or a training tool.