Health and Nutrition for Cats

Fat usually gets a bad rap, but it’s actually an important nutrient for dogs. Pet parents need to ensure their dogs get the right amounts and the right types of fat in their diets. This is made easier because, unlike with people, too much “bad fat” in a dog’s diet doesn’t have much of an effect on their cholesterol levels and their risk of heart attack or stroke.

Here’s what you should know about the type and amount of fat dogs need.

Do Dogs Need Fats in Their Diet?

Fats are an important part of a dog’s diet, but it’s helpful to divide fats into two types to understand their different functions.

Triglycerides

Every cat has different nutritional needs. For instance, a growing kitten will need to eat a lot more than a sluggish senior cat. Unfortunately, many pet parents have no clue how much to feed their cats. As a result, the portion sizes are total guesswork. Some pet parents might dump a heaping pile of kibble in the food bowl and call it a day!

Large portion sizes and unlimited access to food can lead kitties to pack on extra pounds. At some point, you’ll look at your cat and wonder, “Am I feeding them too much?” The following information can help you determine if your cat is overfed and why it’s important to take action.

The dangers of obesity in cats

Cats that are fed too much usually become overweight or obese. Obesity is very common among cats, which can lead to a number of other health concerns. Overfed cats…

Do you struggle with figuring out the right way to feed your cat? Are you asking yourself, "Should I free feed my cat?"

How are you feeding your cat now? Do you currently have free feeding cats? Do you set strict meal times, or do you do a combination of both? Read on to find out about the three different ways pet parents feed their feline friends, along with the advantages and disadvantages to each method.

Meal Feeding Cats

Meal feeding means you're providing food to your cat only at specific meal times during the day. Both canned and dry foods can be fed in this manner.