adp_description_block300
Tips on How To Feed Your Cat

Compared to humans, your cat needs a high-fat, high-protein diet along with other important nutrients. Cats usually eat many small meals throughout the day, so they easily adopt a free choice feeding schedule to maintain their normal body weight. Dry foods, such as IAMS™ PROACTIVE HEALTH™ Healthy Adult with Chicken, are best suited for free choice feeding because they stay fresh for a longer period.

Tips on How To Feed Your Cat

Nutritional Building Blocks

Cats need nutrients from animal-based protein sources. Providing the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other components found in a portion of complete and balanced pet food can help your cat live a long and healthy life. It is important to avoid supplementing your cat's diet, as doing so may lead to a variety of health problems.

When selecting cat food, look for ones that offer the following nutrients:

Animal protein from meat, poultry, fish, or egg sources to maintain strong muscular structure, vital organs, antibodies, and more.
Taurine, an amino acid, found in meat sources such as chicken and fish, but not in plant proteins, to maintain healthy eyes, prevent heart disease. It also promotes healthy reproduction, fetal growth, and development.
Essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, which can be found pre-formed only in animal tissues, and vitamin E to help support the immune system.
A precise balance of fatty acids to help promote excellent skin and coat health.
A fiber source, such as beet pulp, that will help maintain your cat's digestive system health.

Special Dietary Needs

Pregnant or Lactating Cats

A cat's energy intake should be increased gradually by up to 50% over her maintenance intake throughout its pregnancy. You can feed your pregnant cat wholesome kitten food to provide the needed nutritional support during the last few weeks of gestation.

After birth, the mother cat's energy increases by 50% to 75% over normal in the first week to twice the normal in the second week, and up to three times during the third week. The third and fourth weeks are the most demanding because kittens are still feeding on the lactating cat’s milk and have not begun eating dry or canned food. Once kittens begin weaning, the mother cat should be feed normal food portions to avoid unnecessary weight gain.

Avoiding Obesity

‘What do cats eat that result in them developing obesity’ is a commonly asked question by cat parents. Several factors are responsible for causing an unhealthy weight gain in your cat. Food and nutritional requirements of a cat are quite different than that of a kitten or even a senior cat. Simply increasing the amount of food your cat eats to satisfy its nutritional need could lead to cat obesity. And this is a health problem that should not be taken lightly. In general, indoor cats are at a higher risk of developing obesity because they do not engage in many physical activities. But as a cat parent, you must pay attention to your cat’s food intake and make sure it remains active. You may also introduce a new kind of diet that may help your cat to maintain its weight. Read further ahead for some useful cat feeding tips that can help you.

what shape

same time, we recommend you control the amount of food you feed your cat. Even if it is a weight loss-based cat food, the quantity should be checked properly.

Preventing Hairballs

Cats spend a considerable amount of time grooming themselves. In the process, they end up swallowing their body hair. This leads to a hair build-up in the stomach. If the hairball doesn’t pass into the intestines, a cat may try to cough it up. A special diet can help decrease the likelihood of hairballs, but you may decrease its effectiveness if you combine it with other foods.

Comparison of eating habits for underweight v/s overweight cat

Underweight cats:

Underweight cats need more nourishment, which will help them increase their body mass, eventually increasing their weight. For underweight cats, an intake of extra calories is also essential. These extra calories will help your cat gain healthy weight. You may contact your vet who can devise a proper weight gain chart for your cat.

Overweight cats:

Overweight cats need a calorie-restricted diet for them to come down to their healthy weight. In fact, the food you feed your overweight or obese cat should ideally have high protein and low calories. At the

How much food should your cat eat daily?

The amount to feed your cat depends on its age, size, and activity level. Feeding guidelines that recommend the daily amount of food you may feed your cat are included on all IAMS packages. Start feeding your cat the mentioned amount and adjust according to its needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day. With that said now, take a look at this table to know how much to feed your cat:

Weight of cat (kg)	G/day
3	45
4	55
5	60
6	70
7	80
8	90

How IAMS products help to solve over-eating/ under-eating issues?

IAMS offers a high protein diet food for cats that are either underweight or overweight. The IAMS Indoor Weight and Hairball Care food is made with a formula that is suitable for cats who are either in need of increasing weight or decreasing it. The benefits of this cat diet plan are as follows:

#1st Ingredient is Chicken.
This formula includes L-Carnitine that helps get your cat achieve its ideal weight and has balanced nutrition.
This food is recommended by Veterinarians as well.
This cat diet plan also helps maintain your cat’s urinary tract health.

Cat Eating Habits FAQs

Should cats eat alone?

There is no problem if your cat prefers to eat alone, as long as it finishes what you have put on its plate.

Why is my cat hungry all the time?

One of the reasons your cat is hungry all the time could be that it is not being fed the right food. Diseases like diabetes and hyperthyroidism can also make your cat feel hungry all the time. If you notice unusual symptoms in your cat, it is advisable to get it checked by a vet.

What do you feed a cat that refuses to eat?

If your cat refuses to eat, it might not just be because it is a finicky eater. It may also be experiencing health issues like kidney failure or infection in its intestines. Another reason for your cat rejecting food maybe furballs. Furballs are foreign obstacles that get stuck in the cat’s digestive tract, making it hard for your cat to eat food. So, if you notice your cat not eating food, it is advisable to consult the vet immediately.

If you have ruled out health issues with the vet, then here are some tips on how to feed a cat:

In controlled quantities, you may introduce canned tuna or liver in your cat’s food. This will lure your cat to eat what has been served on its plate.
Try keeping its feeding bowl at different places to see what place your cat finds comfortable to eat at.
Let your cat get hungry. Keep some hours distance between 2 meals as this break will make your cat hungry.
Do not keep the food in your cat’s plate all the time. Only serve fresh food when it is time for your cat to eat.

How do I know if my cat is hungry or begging?

Here’s how you can know if your cat is hungry:

If your cat is actually hungry it may meow and call you to feed it. It may also meow while eating.
You cat will gobble down food very quickly when it is hungry.
It may also steal food to satiate its hunger at odd times.

If you feel that your cat is acting hungry even after feeding it the right amount daily food, it might be a greedy eater.

Here are some tips to recognize a hungry cat:

You should monitor the amount of times you are feeding your cat per day.
It is advisable to keep an eye on how much human food your cat steals from your dining table to feed itself. If this happens several times a day, it is an indication that your cat is simply satisfying its temptations.
We recommend you keep a tab on how many treats you are feeding your cat throughout the day.

adp_related_article_block81 179 YOU MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block81
Tips for Feeding Your Adult Cat

adp_related_article_block81
Tips for Feeding Your Senior Cat

adp_related_article_block81
Why Ethoxyquin Is Important for Your Cat’s Health

adp_description_block434
Cat Hairball Symptoms And Remedy
Share
You love your cat. But the sight of watching your cat gag and cough up a hairball is anything but pleasant. Moreover, cat hairball can also cause intestinal blockages, which can lead to serious health issues for your cat.

So, Is It Common For Cats To Cough-Up Hairballs?
Cat furball is common, but its seriousness varies from cat to cat. Long-haired breeds, such as Maine Coons and Persians, are more susceptible to developing hairballs. Besides, hairballs are more common in cats who shed excessively or groom themselves obsessively because they swallow a lot of fur.
In fact, you may have noticed that your cat didn't have hairballs when it was younger but developed the habit as it grew older. Cats become better groomers and even better at getting rid of fur from their coats with their tongues, resulting in more hairballs for you to clean up. It is this grooming behavior that is linked with the intake of fur.

How Can What A Cat Eats Help?
Diet can be important in hairball relief for several reasons. The fiber combination of powdered cellulose and beet pulp in IAMS™ hairball formulas help move hair through the digestive tract. IAMS research has shown that cats fed IAMS ProActive Health™ Adult Hairball Care pass 80% more hair in their feces than cats fed a leading premium dry cat food. By helping ingested hair to be passed from the digestive tract, IAMS hairball formulas help reduce the opportunities for hairballs to form. This fiber blend also includes a moderately fermentable component to promote intestinal health. High-quality, animal-based protein and fat, found in IAMS hairball formulas, provide important nutrients for skin and coat health. Maintaining skin and coat health may reduce the risk of excessive shedding, ingestion of hair from grooming, and, consequently, hairball formation.

Symptoms Of Hairballs In Cats

Lack Of Appetite
It's important to treat your cat's lack of appetite, as even a short period of time without food can have a significant influence on your cat's health. A decrease in appetite could suggest that your cat's hairballs have caused an intestinal blockage. It can also be an indication of a range of other issues. But a loss of appetite, regardless of the underlying cause, it is a problem that must be addressed as soon as possible.
Lethargy
Fatigue and lethargy are also common signs of a range of health problems in cats. They can, however, arise in conjunction with intestinal clogs. If your cat appears lethargic or weak, it may have a hairball blockage and require medical attention.
Constipation
Keep a watch on your cat's litter box if they are vomiting hairballs frequently. Hairballs and constipation are both signs of a hazardous blockage that should be treated by an emergency veterinarian. Constipation in cats can be fatal on its own., thereforeTherefore, this is an issue that needs to be addressed correctlyonce to ensure your cat is healthy.
Diarrhea
This could indicate that something is extremely wrong with your cat's digestive system, especially if it happens frequently. Cats with frequent diarrhea can quickly get dehydrated, so make sure they're getting enough water. Try boosting their liquid intake with wet food until you can get them to the vet.

Treatment And Prevention Of Hairballs

Grooming Regularly
If your cat is getting hairballs, then you should take your cat for regular grooming. The best way to overcome cat hairball issues is by brushing or combing their fur regularly. This way, less fur will wind up in their stomach as hairballs. It will also be a fun way for you to bond with your cat.
Specialized Hairball Food
Hairball formula or cat food is another remedy to prevent cat hairball. Hairball-reduction cat diets are now available from any pet food company. These high-fiber compositions are meant to promote the health of your cat's coat, reduce shedding, and help hairballs move through the digestive tract in cats.
Using Hairball Product Or Laxative
There are several cat hairball treatment products available on the market today. The best thing about them is that most of those laxatives are mild that aid in the easy passage of hairballs through the digestive tract.

FAQ On How To Care For Your Cats Hairball Issues

Should I Worry About Cat Hairball?
It is natural for a cat to throw up occasional hairballs. But you should only start to be concerned if your cat is coughing out a hairball every few weeks or for more than 48 hours at a stretch. This is a symptom of too much hair ending up in the gut.

How Often Should Cats Have Hairballs?
No matter how long their coat is, cats should only produce one hairball every week. Schedule an appointment with the veterinarian if your cat is vomiting hairballs more regularly or not eating.

How Can I Help My Cat Pass A Hairball?
You should feed your cat lots of prebiotics and natural fibers in its food to help it pass hairballs and maintain a healthy digestive tract. As a result, ensure that your cat is on a hairball-control diet and is getting enough fiber.

How Long Does It Take A Cat To Pass A Hairball?
Generally, the fur travels through the gastrointestinal tract undisturbed and emerges in a stool. The digestion process takes 7 to 12 hours. Sometimes the fur can also accumulate in the stomach and create a hairball. This takes a little longer, but healthy hairballs should be gone in 24 to 48 hours.

Can Cat Hairballs Be Dangerous?
Cat hairballs can be dangerous as they can cause severe blockages in their intestines and pose health issues later. In extreme cases, the choking can also lead to death.

What If The Cat Is Overweight Or Senior?
Overweight cats have special nutritional needs in order to promote weight loss or weight management. Likewise, senior cats have special nutritional needs that are better met through a diet designed specifically for them. If an overweight or senior cat has problems with hairballs, feeding an IAMS hairball formula for indoor or senior (age 7+) cats is a great choice.

Should Iams Hairball Formulas Be Fed Exclusively?
Yes. Mixing other foods with IAMS hairball formulas may compromise the effectiveness of this diet by diluting the nutrients that help reduce the risk of hairball formation. Switching between IAMS hairball formulas and another cat food may also decrease the benefit of feeding this diet.

adp_related_article_block12 183 YOUR --spice-- MAY ALSO LIKE …

adp_related_article_block12
How Sodium Is Used in Our Cat Foods
Read More

adp_related_article_block12
How Nutrition Can Help Manage Your Cat’s Hairballs
Read More

adp_related_article_block12
Is Your Mature Dog Eating Less?
Read More