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5 Clear Signs Your Cat Needs New Food

During its life, your cat will go through three distinctive stages – kitten, adult, and senior. In each of these stages of its life, your cat will have specific nutrition needs. The best way to meet these nutritional requirements is by getting your cat the right food.

One of the first things you will notice when you begin researching cat food on sites such as KittyCatter.com is that there are countless options. While you may choose one that is recommended by a friend or family member, to begin with, you need to watch for signs that it isn’t working for your cat. Some of the most obvious indications it’s time to change your cat’s food can be found here.

5 Clear Signs Your Cat Needs New Food
  1. A Dull and Flaky Coat

A key element of any cat’s diet is food that is rich in essential fatty acids. This will help to keep your cat’s skin healthy, and their coat in great shape. There are many foods available today that are designed with coat and skin improvement in mind. Try to find food that contains both Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids to ensure your cat’s coat is bright and shiny at all times.

  1. Weakness and Lethargy

Has your cat recently suffered an illness, surgery or stressful event? If so, it may be understandable that they seem a bit worn out. Feeding your cat a diet that is full of antioxidants can help to boost their immune response and to accelerate your cat’s recovery while getting them back on their feet quickly.

However, if your cat begins acting weak and lethargic all of the sudden, you need to have it evaluated by your veterinarian. This is important before making any changes to their diet.

  1. “Senioritis”

While this is a factor that’s dependent on your cat’s size, in most cases, they are considered to be middle-aged to senior when they reach the age range of five to seven. As your cat gets older, its nutrient requirements are going to change.

For example, a senior cat needs a diet that has fewer calories, but that is higher in fiber. In some cases, they will also need additional supplements to help with joint pain. A general rule of thumb is to avoid the “all life stages” food, especially for senior pets. In most cases, this is formulated with kittens in mind and is going to give your senior cat too much fat.

  1. A Large Midsection

There are many cats who are overweight, and some pet owners don’t realize how or why this is happening. If your cat seems to be losing to the “battle of the bulge,” it may be another indication it’s time to change their food.

While it’s best to check with your vet first, it may be a good idea to put your cat on a diet and find a food that is formulated specifically for weight loss. This food is created to give your cat all the needed minerals, vitamins and nutrients, but reduce the total calories consumed.

5 Clear Signs Your Cat Needs New Food
  1. Cats Need Meat

Your cat is an obligate carnivore. Put simply, this means they have to have meat to survive. In fact, they don’t actually require carbohydrates and vegetables to live. This means you need to make sure the main ingredient of your cat’s diet is meat.

If your cat’s food doesn’t have meat as the main ingredient, then it’s another sign that making a change is necessary.

When it comes to your cat’s food, there are going to be some tell-tale signs that you need to change their food. Keep the information here in mind to know when that time has come.

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