🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 193 (from laksa169)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa193.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/cat-diet-advice/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/cat-diet-advice/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/cat-diet-advice\/","crawl_time":1776254738,"first_indexed_time":1529271534,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,vets4pets!www,\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/cat-diet-advice\/ s443","src_root_hash":"6931080949079918193","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Cat Feeding Guide | Cat & Kitten Food Advice | Vets4Pets","meta_descriptions":["Feeding a cat properly can sometimes feel like a tricky task. Discover the right way to feed your cat or kitten in our free, and simple, cat feeding guide."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Go to any pet shop or browse the internet and you will be faced with hundreds of potential foods to feed your cat, as well as hosts of opinions on the choices you should make. With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming.\nThankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat’s food in the future.\nThe first consideration must be your cat’s nutritional needs.\nOnce you are comfortable with the nutritional needs of your cat, you may find the suitable available foods come in a choice of wet or dry preparations. Both will contain the same nutritional value, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of wet versus dry? \nThere are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and you should choose which you feel is most suitable for you. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you choose. Some owners also choose to mix wet and dry, or use wet food as a ‘treat’.\nPros:\nWet food, by definition, contains water. This means it can be a good source of extra hydration in animals that are reluctant to drink themselves, and the soft texture can be easier to eat for animals with any mouth pain, or difficulty eating due to conformation or dental issues.\nWet food also tends to smell stronger, which can make it more appealing to unwell animals. Like us, being ill can affect sense of smell and appetite, so stronger smelling foods may be more suitable for animals who need tempting to eat.\nCons:\nWet food, being stronger smelling, can be more unpleasant in the house and make more mess. It also lasts much less time than dry food, so comes in smaller packages. This can make wet food far less economical than dry food.\nWet food also sticks around in the mouth, and animals fed a purely wet diet often have poorer dental health than animals on dry food.\nPros:\nDry food is very economical, and can be very handy to leave out for cats that eat slowly as it will not spoil over a day. It is clean, and although harder than wet food, kibble from breed-size specific foods will be small or large enough to be appropriate for your cat’s mouth.\nDry food is generally better for dental health, can be used as treats, and stores well. If you like the idea of dry but are worried about water, many dry foods can have a little water added on top.\nCons:\nDry food does not contain as much moisture as wet food, which is especially important in older or unwell animals, or in hot weather.\nDry food does not smell, which can make it unappealing to some pets. Dry food often also contains slightly less animal protein, however quality of protein rather than quantity should be a higher consideration.\nHow much you will need to feed will depend on the nutritional requirements of your cat, as well as the quality of food. High-quality commercial diets tend to have more nutritional value, and hence you may need to feed less per day. This is especially important for cats that may struggle to get enough nutrition, such as growing kittens, and high activity or elderly cats, and also means the cost per day of premium foods is often less than you might expect.\nTo help guide you, high-quality cat foods will state a suggested daily amount to feed your cat per day. This is a useful start point but is not suitable for every animal –just like us, cats have different metabolisms and nutrition is not ‘one size fits all’. With this in mind, monitoring your cat’s condition is the best way to moderate how much you feed your cat, making sure you are always giving enough to keep your cat’s weight stable at their optimum size. The packet guidelines, however, can give you a helpful start point.\nJust like us, weight alone is not an appropriate measure of how healthy a cat’s diet is. Making sure your cat is a healthy size can be done using\nbody condition scoring.\nIrrespective of the type of diet and type of cat, weighing the food you give should always be part of the daily routine. This is much more accurate than feeding by eye, keeps the diet stable, and means that diet can be adjusted more easily.\nYoung kittens have very small stomachs and are best started on 4 small meals a day – if that’s not possible, leave out some dry food so they can nibble.\nAt 4 months old, this can be dropped to 3 meals daily.\nAt 6 months old, this can be dropped to 2 meals daily. Cats need to be fed at least twice daily, as they are adapted to eat little and often.\nCats prefer to have their water bowl and food bowl separate, and both should be well away from any litter trays.\nCats like to be able to see their surroundings when they eat to feel safe, so putting their food in the corner of the room can be stressful for them.\nFeeding in a quiet area, where they can see the room and feed at the same time, will help keep mealtimes relaxed.  Using a clean bowl, and making sure to wipe up any spillages, will keep your cat happy as they can be very fastidious.\nIf you have multiple cats, feeding some distance apart can reduce conflict. For cats that really don’t get along, feeding them in separate rooms may be necessary to keep the peace.\nIf you need to change your cat’s diet, this should be done slowly. Sudden changes in feeding routine can upset your cat’s stomach, and may cause your cat to go off the new food.\nMoving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period.\nTreats or human foods should only be up to 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Overfeeding treats and human food can lead to obesity, which has a huge range of associated health problems. Giving too many treats will also alter the balance of nutrition that your cat is receiving, as the vast majority of commercially available diets are formulated to be a complete food and provide everything that your cat needs.\nCare should also be taken with treat foods like tuna – these should only be used sparingly, as they are not complete and can cause problems when fed as the bulk of a diet. The strong smell and taste can make tuna quite addictive to cats, so it is important to be firm – just like children, cat’s often do not know what is best for them!\nDespite popular misconception, cats actually struggle to digest the lactose in milk and it can cause them to have upset tummies.\nWater is all your cat actually needs to drink, and this should be provided fresh and always be available. If you do want to give your cat something a little extra as a treat, ‘cat milk’ can be purchased, which is formulated especially for cats. This contains low lactose, so won’t upset your cat’s tummy, but it does contain calories and should only be given in moderation.\nOutdoor cats are highly independent, and it is not uncommon for cats to visit several homes. This can lead to difficulties if a cat is being fed at several locations – especially if your cat is putting on weight, or has a health condition which is nutritionally managed. Collars can be purchased that say ‘Do Not Feed’ or similar, to dissuade others from feeding your cat. Some owners have even resorted to posting flyers through all neighbouring doors!\nAs nutritional intake affects all parts of your cat, and processing and distributing nutrition is a procedure touched by many body systems, using nutrition to affect health is a clear step to supporting health care.\nTherapeutic diets can be used in a wide range of conditions including:\nKidney disease\nLiver disease\nHeart disease\nDigestive support\nFood sensitivity\nUrinary health\nJoint support\nDiabetes\nPost-operative recovery\nSkin support","attrs_markdown":"[![VETS FOR PETS\\_LOGO\\_CORE GREEN AND DARK TEAL\\_RGB (1)](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/contentassets\/8d80df442d8b4b18bfa7eacaf7dfe9c1\/vets-for-pets_logo_core-green-and-dark-teal_rgb-1.png)](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/)\n\n- [Find Practice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/find-a-practice\/)\n- [Request Appointment](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/request-appointment-unavailable\/ \"Request Appointment (Opens in new window)\")\n- Menu\n\n- [Find a Practice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/find-a-practice\/)\n- [Enquiries and Appointments](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/enquiries-and-appointment-request\/)\n- [Pet Health Plans](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-plans\/)\n  \n  Next\n  - Back\n    \n    [Pet Health Plans](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-plans\/)\n  - [Complete Care](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-plans\/complete-care\/)\n- [Pet Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/)\n  \n  Next\n  - Back\n    \n    [Pet Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/)\n  - [Bird Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/bird-advice\/)\n  - [Cat Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/)\n  - [Dog Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/dog-advice\/)\n  - [Ferret Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/ferret-advice\/)\n  - [Fish Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/fish-advice\/)\n  - [Rabbit Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/rabbit-advice\/)\n  - [Reptile Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/reptile-advice\/)\n  - [Small Pet Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/small-pet-advice\/)\n- [Services](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/)\n  \n  Next\n  - Back\n    \n    [Services](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/)\n  - [Nurse clinics for pets](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/nurse-clinics-for-pets\/)\n  - [Orthopaedics and Fracture Repair](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/orthopaedics-and-fracture-repair\/)\n  - [Vaccinating Your Pet](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/vaccinating-your-pet\/)\n  - [Neutering Your Pet](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/neutering-your-pet\/)\n  - [Dental Care For Your Pet](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/dental-care-for-your-pet\/)\n  - [Hydrotherapy For Dogs & Cats](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/hydrotherapy-services\/)\n  - [Microchipping your pet](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/microchipping-your-pet\/)\n  - [Laparoscopy services](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/laparoscopy-services\/)\n  - [Parasite Protection](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/parasite-protection\/)\n  - [Expressing Your Dog's Anal Glands](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/expressing-your-dogs-anal-glands\/)\n  - [General anaesthesia for pets](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/general-anaesthesia-for-pets\/)\n  - [Physiotherapy for your pet](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/physiotherapy-for-your-pet\/)\n- [Pet Symptom Checker](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-symptom-checker\/)\n- [Work with us](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/Work-with-us\/)\n- [Vacancies](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/vacancies\/)\n- [Locally owned, locally loved.](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/locally-owned-locally-loved\/)\n- [Find Practice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/find-a-practice\/)\n- [Request Appointment](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/request-appointment-unavailable\/)\n\n- [Find Practice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/find-a-practice\/)\n- [Appointments](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/request-appointment-unavailable\/)\n\n1. [Pet Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/)\n2. [Cat Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/)\n3. Cat Diet Advice\n\n![cat eating out of food bowl](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/siteassets\/species\/cat\/cat-eating-out-of-food-bowl.jpg)\n\n# A Guide To Feeding Your Cat\nThe nutrition you provide your cat is fuel for everything they do – including growth, development, skin and coat condition and exercise.\n\nChoosing a food suitable for your cat is one of the first decisions you will have to make. Unsurprisingly, as your cat ages, their needs will alter– nutritional needs are not fixed and change with your cat. Making sure you are always feeding food that is right for your cat is an important part of supporting their health, and this may mean changing their diet several times throughout their life. The nutrition demands of your cat are affected by:\n\n- Exercise levels\n- Weight\n- Life stage\n- State of health\n- Neutering status\n\nWith many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat's diet in the future.\n\n[Read about choosing the right diet for a kitten](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/kitten\/choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-kitten\/)\n\n## More cat diet advice\nWhat food should I feed my cat?\n\nGo to any pet shop or browse the internet and you will be faced with hundreds of potential foods to feed your cat, as well as hosts of opinions on the choices you should make. With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming.\n\nThankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat’s food in the future.\n\nThe first consideration must be your cat’s nutritional needs.\n\nWet or dry food?\n\nOnce you are comfortable with the nutritional needs of your cat, you may find the suitable available foods come in a choice of wet or dry preparations. Both will contain the same nutritional value, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of wet versus dry?\n\nThere are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and you should choose which you feel is most suitable for you. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you choose. Some owners also choose to mix wet and dry, or use wet food as a ‘treat’.\n\nWet food\n\n**Pros:**\n\n- Wet food, by definition, contains water. This means it can be a good source of extra hydration in animals that are reluctant to drink themselves, and the soft texture can be easier to eat for animals with any mouth pain, or difficulty eating due to conformation or dental issues.\n- Wet food also tends to smell stronger, which can make it more appealing to unwell animals. Like us, being ill can affect sense of smell and appetite, so stronger smelling foods may be more suitable for animals who need tempting to eat.\n\n**Cons:**\n\n- Wet food, being stronger smelling, can be more unpleasant in the house and make more mess. It also lasts much less time than dry food, so comes in smaller packages. This can make wet food far less economical than dry food.\n- Wet food also sticks around in the mouth, and animals fed a purely wet diet often have poorer dental health than animals on dry food.\n\nDry food\n\n**Pros:**\n\n- Dry food is very economical, and can be very handy to leave out for cats that eat slowly as it will not spoil over a day. It is clean, and although harder than wet food, kibble from breed-size specific foods will be small or large enough to be appropriate for your cat’s mouth.\n- Dry food is generally better for dental health, can be used as treats, and stores well. If you like the idea of dry but are worried about water, many dry foods can have a little water added on top.\n\n**Cons:**\n\n- Dry food does not contain as much moisture as wet food, which is especially important in older or unwell animals, or in hot weather.\n- Dry food does not smell, which can make it unappealing to some pets. Dry food often also contains slightly less animal protein, however quality of protein rather than quantity should be a higher consideration.\n\nHow much food should I give my cat?\n\nHow much you will need to feed will depend on the nutritional requirements of your cat, as well as the quality of food. High-quality commercial diets tend to have more nutritional value, and hence you may need to feed less per day. This is especially important for cats that may struggle to get enough nutrition, such as growing kittens, and high activity or elderly cats, and also means the cost per day of premium foods is often less than you might expect.\n\nTo help guide you, high-quality cat foods will state a suggested daily amount to feed your cat per day. This is a useful start point but is not suitable for every animal –just like us, cats have different metabolisms and nutrition is not ‘one size fits all’. With this in mind, monitoring your cat’s condition is the best way to moderate how much you feed your cat, making sure you are always giving enough to keep your cat’s weight stable at their optimum size. The packet guidelines, however, can give you a helpful start point.\n\nJust like us, weight alone is not an appropriate measure of how healthy a cat’s diet is. Making sure your cat is a healthy size can be done using [body condition scoring.](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/body-condition-scoring\/)\n\nIrrespective of the type of diet and type of cat, weighing the food you give should always be part of the daily routine. This is much more accurate than feeding by eye, keeps the diet stable, and means that diet can be adjusted more easily.\n\nHow often should I feed my cat?\n\nYoung kittens have very small stomachs and are best started on 4 small meals a day – if that’s not possible, leave out some dry food so they can nibble.\n\nAt 4 months old, this can be dropped to 3 meals daily.\n\nAt 6 months old, this can be dropped to 2 meals daily. Cats need to be fed at least twice daily, as they are adapted to eat little and often.\n\nWhere should I feed my cat?\n\nCats prefer to have their water bowl and food bowl separate, and both should be well away from any litter trays.\n\nCats like to be able to see their surroundings when they eat to feel safe, so putting their food in the corner of the room can be stressful for them.\n\nFeeding in a quiet area, where they can see the room and feed at the same time, will help keep mealtimes relaxed. Using a clean bowl, and making sure to wipe up any spillages, will keep your cat happy as they can be very fastidious.\n\nIf you have multiple cats, feeding some distance apart can reduce conflict. For cats that really don’t get along, feeding them in separate rooms may be necessary to keep the peace.\n\nHow can I change my cat's diet?\n\nIf you need to change your cat’s diet, this should be done slowly. Sudden changes in feeding routine can upset your cat’s stomach, and may cause your cat to go off the new food.\n\nMoving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period.\n\nHow many treats can I give?\n\nTreats or human foods should only be up to 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Overfeeding treats and human food can lead to obesity, which has a huge range of associated health problems. Giving too many treats will also alter the balance of nutrition that your cat is receiving, as the vast majority of commercially available diets are formulated to be a complete food and provide everything that your cat needs.\n\nCare should also be taken with treat foods like tuna – these should only be used sparingly, as they are not complete and can cause problems when fed as the bulk of a diet. The strong smell and taste can make tuna quite addictive to cats, so it is important to be firm – just like children, cat’s often do not know what is best for them\\!\n\nCan I give my cat milk?\n\nDespite popular misconception, cats actually struggle to digest the lactose in milk and it can cause them to have upset tummies.\n\nWater is all your cat actually needs to drink, and this should be provided fresh and always be available. If you do want to give your cat something a little extra as a treat, ‘cat milk’ can be purchased, which is formulated especially for cats. This contains low lactose, so won’t upset your cat’s tummy, but it does contain calories and should only be given in moderation.\n\nWhat if my cat is being fed elsewhere?\n\nOutdoor cats are highly independent, and it is not uncommon for cats to visit several homes. This can lead to difficulties if a cat is being fed at several locations – especially if your cat is putting on weight, or has a health condition which is nutritionally managed. Collars can be purchased that say ‘Do Not Feed’ or similar, to dissuade others from feeding your cat. Some owners have even resorted to posting flyers through all neighbouring doors\\!\n\nCan my cat's diet help with health conditions?\n\nAs nutritional intake affects all parts of your cat, and processing and distributing nutrition is a procedure touched by many body systems, using nutrition to affect health is a clear step to supporting health care.\n\nTherapeutic diets can be used in a wide range of conditions including:\n\n- Kidney disease\n- Liver disease\n- Heart disease\n- Digestive support\n- Food sensitivity\n- Urinary health\n- Joint support\n- Diabetes\n- Post-operative recovery\n- Skin support\n\n## Health Plans to keep your cat healthy\nAt Vets4Pets we offer a range of Health Plans that make essential routine treatments more affordable. You'll save money on things like annual vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and routine health check-ups.\n\n![Nurse and kitten in practice\\_promo block](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/siteassets\/species\/cat\/kitten\/nurse-and-kitten-in-practice_promo-block.jpg)\n\n[Click here to find out more](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-plans\/)\n\n## Cat Advice\nRead more of our expert cat advice to keep your cat happy and healthy.\n\n[Click here to read more](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/)\n\n## Site footer\n### [Pet Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/)\n- [Dog Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/dog-advice\/)\n- [Cat Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/cat-advice\/)\n- [Rabbit Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/rabbit-advice\/)\n- [Fish Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/fish-advice\/)\n- [Small Pet Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/small-pet-advice\/)\n- [Reptile Advice](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-advice\/reptile-advice\/)\n\n### [Pet Health Plans](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-plans\/)\n- [Complete Care](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/pet-health-plans\/complete-care\/)\n\n### [About Us](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/about-us\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/about-us\/contact-us\/)\n- [Terms and Conditions](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/about-us\/terms-and-conditions\/)\n- [Locally owned, locally loved](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/locally-owned-locally-loved\/)\n- [Human Rights and Modern Slavery Statement](https:\/\/www.vets4petscareers.com\/life-at-vets4pets\/human-rights-and-modern-slavery-statement\/)\n- [Practice Ownership](https:\/\/www.vets4petscareers.com\/practiceownership\/)\n- [Vacancies](https:\/\/www.vets4petscareers.com\/job-vacancies\/)\n- [Investors](https:\/\/www.petsathomeplc.com\/investors\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/about-us\/privacy-policy\/)\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/sitemap\/)\n\n### Partnering with\n- [![cc-footer2](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/globalassets\/cc-footer2.jpg)](https:\/\/www.companioncare.co.uk\/)\n- [![pah-refreshlogo-small](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/contentassets\/8d80df442d8b4b18bfa7eacaf7dfe9c1\/pah-refreshlogo-small.jpg)](http:\/\/petsathome.com\/)\n- [![petclub](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/contentassets\/8d80df442d8b4b18bfa7eacaf7dfe9c1\/petclub.png)](https:\/\/www.petsathome.com\/)\n\nBack to Top","attrs_readable_markdown":"Go to any pet shop or browse the internet and you will be faced with hundreds of potential foods to feed your cat, as well as hosts of opinions on the choices you should make. With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming.\n\nThankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat’s food in the future.\n\nThe first consideration must be your cat’s nutritional needs.\n\nOnce you are comfortable with the nutritional needs of your cat, you may find the suitable available foods come in a choice of wet or dry preparations. Both will contain the same nutritional value, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of wet versus dry?\n\nThere are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and you should choose which you feel is most suitable for you. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you choose. Some owners also choose to mix wet and dry, or use wet food as a ‘treat’.\n\n**Pros:**\n\n- Wet food, by definition, contains water. This means it can be a good source of extra hydration in animals that are reluctant to drink themselves, and the soft texture can be easier to eat for animals with any mouth pain, or difficulty eating due to conformation or dental issues.\n- Wet food also tends to smell stronger, which can make it more appealing to unwell animals. Like us, being ill can affect sense of smell and appetite, so stronger smelling foods may be more suitable for animals who need tempting to eat.\n\n**Cons:**\n\n- Wet food, being stronger smelling, can be more unpleasant in the house and make more mess. It also lasts much less time than dry food, so comes in smaller packages. This can make wet food far less economical than dry food.\n- Wet food also sticks around in the mouth, and animals fed a purely wet diet often have poorer dental health than animals on dry food.\n\n**Pros:**\n\n- Dry food is very economical, and can be very handy to leave out for cats that eat slowly as it will not spoil over a day. It is clean, and although harder than wet food, kibble from breed-size specific foods will be small or large enough to be appropriate for your cat’s mouth.\n- Dry food is generally better for dental health, can be used as treats, and stores well. If you like the idea of dry but are worried about water, many dry foods can have a little water added on top.\n\n**Cons:**\n\n- Dry food does not contain as much moisture as wet food, which is especially important in older or unwell animals, or in hot weather.\n- Dry food does not smell, which can make it unappealing to some pets. Dry food often also contains slightly less animal protein, however quality of protein rather than quantity should be a higher consideration.\n\nHow much you will need to feed will depend on the nutritional requirements of your cat, as well as the quality of food. High-quality commercial diets tend to have more nutritional value, and hence you may need to feed less per day. This is especially important for cats that may struggle to get enough nutrition, such as growing kittens, and high activity or elderly cats, and also means the cost per day of premium foods is often less than you might expect.\n\nTo help guide you, high-quality cat foods will state a suggested daily amount to feed your cat per day. This is a useful start point but is not suitable for every animal –just like us, cats have different metabolisms and nutrition is not ‘one size fits all’. With this in mind, monitoring your cat’s condition is the best way to moderate how much you feed your cat, making sure you are always giving enough to keep your cat’s weight stable at their optimum size. The packet guidelines, however, can give you a helpful start point.\n\nJust like us, weight alone is not an appropriate measure of how healthy a cat’s diet is. Making sure your cat is a healthy size can be done using [body condition scoring.](https:\/\/www.vets4pets.com\/services\/body-condition-scoring\/)\n\nIrrespective of the type of diet and type of cat, weighing the food you give should always be part of the daily routine. This is much more accurate than feeding by eye, keeps the diet stable, and means that diet can be adjusted more easily.\n\nYoung kittens have very small stomachs and are best started on 4 small meals a day – if that’s not possible, leave out some dry food so they can nibble.\n\nAt 4 months old, this can be dropped to 3 meals daily.\n\nAt 6 months old, this can be dropped to 2 meals daily. Cats need to be fed at least twice daily, as they are adapted to eat little and often.\n\nCats prefer to have their water bowl and food bowl separate, and both should be well away from any litter trays.\n\nCats like to be able to see their surroundings when they eat to feel safe, so putting their food in the corner of the room can be stressful for them.\n\nFeeding in a quiet area, where they can see the room and feed at the same time, will help keep mealtimes relaxed. Using a clean bowl, and making sure to wipe up any spillages, will keep your cat happy as they can be very fastidious.\n\nIf you have multiple cats, feeding some distance apart can reduce conflict. For cats that really don’t get along, feeding them in separate rooms may be necessary to keep the peace.\n\nIf you need to change your cat’s diet, this should be done slowly. Sudden changes in feeding routine can upset your cat’s stomach, and may cause your cat to go off the new food.\n\nMoving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period.\n\nTreats or human foods should only be up to 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Overfeeding treats and human food can lead to obesity, which has a huge range of associated health problems. Giving too many treats will also alter the balance of nutrition that your cat is receiving, as the vast majority of commercially available diets are formulated to be a complete food and provide everything that your cat needs.\n\nCare should also be taken with treat foods like tuna – these should only be used sparingly, as they are not complete and can cause problems when fed as the bulk of a diet. The strong smell and taste can make tuna quite addictive to cats, so it is important to be firm – just like children, cat’s often do not know what is best for them\\!\n\nDespite popular misconception, cats actually struggle to digest the lactose in milk and it can cause them to have upset tummies.\n\nWater is all your cat actually needs to drink, and this should be provided fresh and always be available. If you do want to give your cat something a little extra as a treat, ‘cat milk’ can be purchased, which is formulated especially for cats. This contains low lactose, so won’t upset your cat’s tummy, but it does contain calories and should only be given in moderation.\n\nOutdoor cats are highly independent, and it is not uncommon for cats to visit several homes. This can lead to difficulties if a cat is being fed at several locations – especially if your cat is putting on weight, or has a health condition which is nutritionally managed. Collars can be purchased that say ‘Do Not Feed’ or similar, to dissuade others from feeding your cat. Some owners have even resorted to posting flyers through all neighbouring doors\\!\n\nAs nutritional intake affects all parts of your cat, and processing and distributing nutrition is a procedure touched by many body systems, using nutrition to affect health is a clear step to supporting health care.\n\nTherapeutic diets can be used in a wide range of conditions including:\n\n- Kidney disease\n- Liver disease\n- Heart disease\n- Digestive support\n- Food sensitivity\n- Urinary health\n- Joint support\n- Diabetes\n- Post-operative recovery\n- Skin support","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/cat-diet-advice/
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Meta Title	Cat Feeding Guide \| Cat & Kitten Food Advice \| Vets4Pets
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Boilerpipe Text	Go to any pet shop or browse the internet and you will be faced with hundreds of potential foods to feed your cat, as well as hosts of opinions on the choices you should make. With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat’s food in the future. The first consideration must be your cat’s nutritional needs. Once you are comfortable with the nutritional needs of your cat, you may find the suitable available foods come in a choice of wet or dry preparations. Both will contain the same nutritional value, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of wet versus dry? There are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and you should choose which you feel is most suitable for you. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you choose. Some owners also choose to mix wet and dry, or use wet food as a ‘treat’. Pros: Wet food, by definition, contains water. This means it can be a good source of extra hydration in animals that are reluctant to drink themselves, and the soft texture can be easier to eat for animals with any mouth pain, or difficulty eating due to conformation or dental issues. Wet food also tends to smell stronger, which can make it more appealing to unwell animals. Like us, being ill can affect sense of smell and appetite, so stronger smelling foods may be more suitable for animals who need tempting to eat. Cons: Wet food, being stronger smelling, can be more unpleasant in the house and make more mess. It also lasts much less time than dry food, so comes in smaller packages. This can make wet food far less economical than dry food. Wet food also sticks around in the mouth, and animals fed a purely wet diet often have poorer dental health than animals on dry food. Pros: Dry food is very economical, and can be very handy to leave out for cats that eat slowly as it will not spoil over a day. It is clean, and although harder than wet food, kibble from breed-size specific foods will be small or large enough to be appropriate for your cat’s mouth. Dry food is generally better for dental health, can be used as treats, and stores well. If you like the idea of dry but are worried about water, many dry foods can have a little water added on top. Cons: Dry food does not contain as much moisture as wet food, which is especially important in older or unwell animals, or in hot weather. Dry food does not smell, which can make it unappealing to some pets. Dry food often also contains slightly less animal protein, however quality of protein rather than quantity should be a higher consideration. How much you will need to feed will depend on the nutritional requirements of your cat, as well as the quality of food. High-quality commercial diets tend to have more nutritional value, and hence you may need to feed less per day. This is especially important for cats that may struggle to get enough nutrition, such as growing kittens, and high activity or elderly cats, and also means the cost per day of premium foods is often less than you might expect. To help guide you, high-quality cat foods will state a suggested daily amount to feed your cat per day. This is a useful start point but is not suitable for every animal –just like us, cats have different metabolisms and nutrition is not ‘one size fits all’. With this in mind, monitoring your cat’s condition is the best way to moderate how much you feed your cat, making sure you are always giving enough to keep your cat’s weight stable at their optimum size. The packet guidelines, however, can give you a helpful start point. Just like us, weight alone is not an appropriate measure of how healthy a cat’s diet is. Making sure your cat is a healthy size can be done using body condition scoring. Irrespective of the type of diet and type of cat, weighing the food you give should always be part of the daily routine. This is much more accurate than feeding by eye, keeps the diet stable, and means that diet can be adjusted more easily. Young kittens have very small stomachs and are best started on 4 small meals a day – if that’s not possible, leave out some dry food so they can nibble. At 4 months old, this can be dropped to 3 meals daily. At 6 months old, this can be dropped to 2 meals daily. Cats need to be fed at least twice daily, as they are adapted to eat little and often. Cats prefer to have their water bowl and food bowl separate, and both should be well away from any litter trays. Cats like to be able to see their surroundings when they eat to feel safe, so putting their food in the corner of the room can be stressful for them. Feeding in a quiet area, where they can see the room and feed at the same time, will help keep mealtimes relaxed. Using a clean bowl, and making sure to wipe up any spillages, will keep your cat happy as they can be very fastidious. If you have multiple cats, feeding some distance apart can reduce conflict. For cats that really don’t get along, feeding them in separate rooms may be necessary to keep the peace. If you need to change your cat’s diet, this should be done slowly. Sudden changes in feeding routine can upset your cat’s stomach, and may cause your cat to go off the new food. Moving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period. Treats or human foods should only be up to 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Overfeeding treats and human food can lead to obesity, which has a huge range of associated health problems. Giving too many treats will also alter the balance of nutrition that your cat is receiving, as the vast majority of commercially available diets are formulated to be a complete food and provide everything that your cat needs. Care should also be taken with treat foods like tuna – these should only be used sparingly, as they are not complete and can cause problems when fed as the bulk of a diet. The strong smell and taste can make tuna quite addictive to cats, so it is important to be firm – just like children, cat’s often do not know what is best for them! Despite popular misconception, cats actually struggle to digest the lactose in milk and it can cause them to have upset tummies. Water is all your cat actually needs to drink, and this should be provided fresh and always be available. If you do want to give your cat something a little extra as a treat, ‘cat milk’ can be purchased, which is formulated especially for cats. This contains low lactose, so won’t upset your cat’s tummy, but it does contain calories and should only be given in moderation. Outdoor cats are highly independent, and it is not uncommon for cats to visit several homes. This can lead to difficulties if a cat is being fed at several locations – especially if your cat is putting on weight, or has a health condition which is nutritionally managed. Collars can be purchased that say ‘Do Not Feed’ or similar, to dissuade others from feeding your cat. Some owners have even resorted to posting flyers through all neighbouring doors! As nutritional intake affects all parts of your cat, and processing and distributing nutrition is a procedure touched by many body systems, using nutrition to affect health is a clear step to supporting health care. Therapeutic diets can be used in a wide range of conditions including: Kidney disease Liver disease Heart disease Digestive support Food sensitivity Urinary health Joint support Diabetes Post-operative recovery Skin support
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[Pet Advice](https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/) 2. [Cat Advice](https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/) 3. Cat Diet Advice ![cat eating out of food bowl](https://www.vets4pets.com/siteassets/species/cat/cat-eating-out-of-food-bowl.jpg) # A Guide To Feeding Your Cat The nutrition you provide your cat is fuel for everything they do – including growth, development, skin and coat condition and exercise. Choosing a food suitable for your cat is one of the first decisions you will have to make. Unsurprisingly, as your cat ages, their needs will alter– nutritional needs are not fixed and change with your cat. Making sure you are always feeding food that is right for your cat is an important part of supporting their health, and this may mean changing their diet several times throughout their life. The nutrition demands of your cat are affected by: - Exercise levels - Weight - Life stage - State of health - Neutering status With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat's diet in the future. [Read about choosing the right diet for a kitten](https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/kitten/choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-kitten/) ## More cat diet advice What food should I feed my cat? Go to any pet shop or browse the internet and you will be faced with hundreds of potential foods to feed your cat, as well as hosts of opinions on the choices you should make. With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat’s food in the future. The first consideration must be your cat’s nutritional needs. Wet or dry food? Once you are comfortable with the nutritional needs of your cat, you may find the suitable available foods come in a choice of wet or dry preparations. Both will contain the same nutritional value, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of wet versus dry? There are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and you should choose which you feel is most suitable for you. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you choose. Some owners also choose to mix wet and dry, or use wet food as a ‘treat’. Wet food Pros: - Wet food, by definition, contains water. This means it can be a good source of extra hydration in animals that are reluctant to drink themselves, and the soft texture can be easier to eat for animals with any mouth pain, or difficulty eating due to conformation or dental issues. - Wet food also tends to smell stronger, which can make it more appealing to unwell animals. Like us, being ill can affect sense of smell and appetite, so stronger smelling foods may be more suitable for animals who need tempting to eat. Cons: - Wet food, being stronger smelling, can be more unpleasant in the house and make more mess. It also lasts much less time than dry food, so comes in smaller packages. This can make wet food far less economical than dry food. - Wet food also sticks around in the mouth, and animals fed a purely wet diet often have poorer dental health than animals on dry food. Dry food Pros: - Dry food is very economical, and can be very handy to leave out for cats that eat slowly as it will not spoil over a day. It is clean, and although harder than wet food, kibble from breed-size specific foods will be small or large enough to be appropriate for your cat’s mouth. - Dry food is generally better for dental health, can be used as treats, and stores well. If you like the idea of dry but are worried about water, many dry foods can have a little water added on top. Cons: - Dry food does not contain as much moisture as wet food, which is especially important in older or unwell animals, or in hot weather. - Dry food does not smell, which can make it unappealing to some pets. Dry food often also contains slightly less animal protein, however quality of protein rather than quantity should be a higher consideration. How much food should I give my cat? How much you will need to feed will depend on the nutritional requirements of your cat, as well as the quality of food. High-quality commercial diets tend to have more nutritional value, and hence you may need to feed less per day. This is especially important for cats that may struggle to get enough nutrition, such as growing kittens, and high activity or elderly cats, and also means the cost per day of premium foods is often less than you might expect. To help guide you, high-quality cat foods will state a suggested daily amount to feed your cat per day. This is a useful start point but is not suitable for every animal –just like us, cats have different metabolisms and nutrition is not ‘one size fits all’. With this in mind, monitoring your cat’s condition is the best way to moderate how much you feed your cat, making sure you are always giving enough to keep your cat’s weight stable at their optimum size. The packet guidelines, however, can give you a helpful start point. Just like us, weight alone is not an appropriate measure of how healthy a cat’s diet is. Making sure your cat is a healthy size can be done using [body condition scoring.](https://www.vets4pets.com/services/body-condition-scoring/) Irrespective of the type of diet and type of cat, weighing the food you give should always be part of the daily routine. This is much more accurate than feeding by eye, keeps the diet stable, and means that diet can be adjusted more easily. How often should I feed my cat? Young kittens have very small stomachs and are best started on 4 small meals a day – if that’s not possible, leave out some dry food so they can nibble. At 4 months old, this can be dropped to 3 meals daily. At 6 months old, this can be dropped to 2 meals daily. Cats need to be fed at least twice daily, as they are adapted to eat little and often. Where should I feed my cat? Cats prefer to have their water bowl and food bowl separate, and both should be well away from any litter trays. Cats like to be able to see their surroundings when they eat to feel safe, so putting their food in the corner of the room can be stressful for them. Feeding in a quiet area, where they can see the room and feed at the same time, will help keep mealtimes relaxed. Using a clean bowl, and making sure to wipe up any spillages, will keep your cat happy as they can be very fastidious. If you have multiple cats, feeding some distance apart can reduce conflict. For cats that really don’t get along, feeding them in separate rooms may be necessary to keep the peace. How can I change my cat's diet? If you need to change your cat’s diet, this should be done slowly. Sudden changes in feeding routine can upset your cat’s stomach, and may cause your cat to go off the new food. Moving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period. How many treats can I give? Treats or human foods should only be up to 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Overfeeding treats and human food can lead to obesity, which has a huge range of associated health problems. Giving too many treats will also alter the balance of nutrition that your cat is receiving, as the vast majority of commercially available diets are formulated to be a complete food and provide everything that your cat needs. Care should also be taken with treat foods like tuna – these should only be used sparingly, as they are not complete and can cause problems when fed as the bulk of a diet. The strong smell and taste can make tuna quite addictive to cats, so it is important to be firm – just like children, cat’s often do not know what is best for them\! Can I give my cat milk? Despite popular misconception, cats actually struggle to digest the lactose in milk and it can cause them to have upset tummies. Water is all your cat actually needs to drink, and this should be provided fresh and always be available. If you do want to give your cat something a little extra as a treat, ‘cat milk’ can be purchased, which is formulated especially for cats. This contains low lactose, so won’t upset your cat’s tummy, but it does contain calories and should only be given in moderation. What if my cat is being fed elsewhere? Outdoor cats are highly independent, and it is not uncommon for cats to visit several homes. This can lead to difficulties if a cat is being fed at several locations – especially if your cat is putting on weight, or has a health condition which is nutritionally managed. Collars can be purchased that say ‘Do Not Feed’ or similar, to dissuade others from feeding your cat. Some owners have even resorted to posting flyers through all neighbouring doors\! Can my cat's diet help with health conditions? As nutritional intake affects all parts of your cat, and processing and distributing nutrition is a procedure touched by many body systems, using nutrition to affect health is a clear step to supporting health care. Therapeutic diets can be used in a wide range of conditions including: - Kidney disease - Liver disease - Heart disease - Digestive support - Food sensitivity - Urinary health - Joint support - Diabetes - Post-operative recovery - Skin support ## Health Plans to keep your cat healthy At Vets4Pets we offer a range of Health Plans that make essential routine treatments more affordable. You'll save money on things like annual vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and routine health check-ups. ![Nurse and kitten in practice\_promo block](https://www.vets4pets.com/siteassets/species/cat/kitten/nurse-and-kitten-in-practice_promo-block.jpg) [Click here to find out more](https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-plans/) ## Cat Advice Read more of our expert cat advice to keep your cat happy and healthy. 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Readable Markdown	Go to any pet shop or browse the internet and you will be faced with hundreds of potential foods to feed your cat, as well as hosts of opinions on the choices you should make. With many cat foods looking similar and so many to choose from, the selection process can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, your vet can help you choose, and will also help you decide when and if to change your cat’s food in the future. The first consideration must be your cat’s nutritional needs. Once you are comfortable with the nutritional needs of your cat, you may find the suitable available foods come in a choice of wet or dry preparations. Both will contain the same nutritional value, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of wet versus dry? There are pros and cons to both wet and dry food, and you should choose which you feel is most suitable for you. If you aren’t sure, your vet can help you choose. Some owners also choose to mix wet and dry, or use wet food as a ‘treat’. Pros: - Wet food, by definition, contains water. This means it can be a good source of extra hydration in animals that are reluctant to drink themselves, and the soft texture can be easier to eat for animals with any mouth pain, or difficulty eating due to conformation or dental issues. - Wet food also tends to smell stronger, which can make it more appealing to unwell animals. Like us, being ill can affect sense of smell and appetite, so stronger smelling foods may be more suitable for animals who need tempting to eat. Cons: - Wet food, being stronger smelling, can be more unpleasant in the house and make more mess. It also lasts much less time than dry food, so comes in smaller packages. This can make wet food far less economical than dry food. - Wet food also sticks around in the mouth, and animals fed a purely wet diet often have poorer dental health than animals on dry food. Pros: - Dry food is very economical, and can be very handy to leave out for cats that eat slowly as it will not spoil over a day. It is clean, and although harder than wet food, kibble from breed-size specific foods will be small or large enough to be appropriate for your cat’s mouth. - Dry food is generally better for dental health, can be used as treats, and stores well. If you like the idea of dry but are worried about water, many dry foods can have a little water added on top. Cons: - Dry food does not contain as much moisture as wet food, which is especially important in older or unwell animals, or in hot weather. - Dry food does not smell, which can make it unappealing to some pets. Dry food often also contains slightly less animal protein, however quality of protein rather than quantity should be a higher consideration. How much you will need to feed will depend on the nutritional requirements of your cat, as well as the quality of food. High-quality commercial diets tend to have more nutritional value, and hence you may need to feed less per day. This is especially important for cats that may struggle to get enough nutrition, such as growing kittens, and high activity or elderly cats, and also means the cost per day of premium foods is often less than you might expect. To help guide you, high-quality cat foods will state a suggested daily amount to feed your cat per day. This is a useful start point but is not suitable for every animal –just like us, cats have different metabolisms and nutrition is not ‘one size fits all’. With this in mind, monitoring your cat’s condition is the best way to moderate how much you feed your cat, making sure you are always giving enough to keep your cat’s weight stable at their optimum size. The packet guidelines, however, can give you a helpful start point. Just like us, weight alone is not an appropriate measure of how healthy a cat’s diet is. Making sure your cat is a healthy size can be done using [body condition scoring.](https://www.vets4pets.com/services/body-condition-scoring/) Irrespective of the type of diet and type of cat, weighing the food you give should always be part of the daily routine. This is much more accurate than feeding by eye, keeps the diet stable, and means that diet can be adjusted more easily. Young kittens have very small stomachs and are best started on 4 small meals a day – if that’s not possible, leave out some dry food so they can nibble. At 4 months old, this can be dropped to 3 meals daily. At 6 months old, this can be dropped to 2 meals daily. Cats need to be fed at least twice daily, as they are adapted to eat little and often. Cats prefer to have their water bowl and food bowl separate, and both should be well away from any litter trays. Cats like to be able to see their surroundings when they eat to feel safe, so putting their food in the corner of the room can be stressful for them. Feeding in a quiet area, where they can see the room and feed at the same time, will help keep mealtimes relaxed. Using a clean bowl, and making sure to wipe up any spillages, will keep your cat happy as they can be very fastidious. If you have multiple cats, feeding some distance apart can reduce conflict. For cats that really don’t get along, feeding them in separate rooms may be necessary to keep the peace. If you need to change your cat’s diet, this should be done slowly. Sudden changes in feeding routine can upset your cat’s stomach, and may cause your cat to go off the new food. Moving from one food to another should be done over at least a week, with a very small amount of the new diet replacing the old in the first bowl, and increasing amounts of the new food over the transition period. Treats or human foods should only be up to 10% of your cat’s daily calories. Overfeeding treats and human food can lead to obesity, which has a huge range of associated health problems. Giving too many treats will also alter the balance of nutrition that your cat is receiving, as the vast majority of commercially available diets are formulated to be a complete food and provide everything that your cat needs. Care should also be taken with treat foods like tuna – these should only be used sparingly, as they are not complete and can cause problems when fed as the bulk of a diet. The strong smell and taste can make tuna quite addictive to cats, so it is important to be firm – just like children, cat’s often do not know what is best for them\! Despite popular misconception, cats actually struggle to digest the lactose in milk and it can cause them to have upset tummies. Water is all your cat actually needs to drink, and this should be provided fresh and always be available. If you do want to give your cat something a little extra as a treat, ‘cat milk’ can be purchased, which is formulated especially for cats. This contains low lactose, so won’t upset your cat’s tummy, but it does contain calories and should only be given in moderation. Outdoor cats are highly independent, and it is not uncommon for cats to visit several homes. This can lead to difficulties if a cat is being fed at several locations – especially if your cat is putting on weight, or has a health condition which is nutritionally managed. Collars can be purchased that say ‘Do Not Feed’ or similar, to dissuade others from feeding your cat. Some owners have even resorted to posting flyers through all neighbouring doors\! As nutritional intake affects all parts of your cat, and processing and distributing nutrition is a procedure touched by many body systems, using nutrition to affect health is a clear step to supporting health care. Therapeutic diets can be used in a wide range of conditions including: - Kidney disease - Liver disease - Heart disease - Digestive support - Food sensitivity - Urinary health - Joint support - Diabetes - Post-operative recovery - Skin support
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