How to Buy Cat Food for Your Sphynx Cat

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? Pet food labels must list the percentage of protein, fat, fibre, and water in the food. Ask your veterinarian on how to properly read pet food labels; so that you can get the most out of the food. How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? For adult Sphynx cats, it is recommended that you give them dry foods; because it is beneficial for their jaw muscles and digestion. How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? An added benefit is that it will not spoil if in case they have any left – over; unlike moist or canned foods.

Evaluating Commercial Cat Food

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? The best place to start when shopping for cat food is to read the cat food label. Pet food in the United States is loosely regulated by the American Association of Feed Control Officials; and they evaluate commercial pet food products according to their ability to meet the basic nutritional needs of cats in various life stages.

If the cat food product you are looking at contains this statement you can move on to reading the ingredients list. The task of choosing a quality cat food can be difficult for some cat owners simply because there are so many different options to choose from.

Quality Sources

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? If you walk into your local pet store you will see multiple aisles filled with bags of cat food from different brands; and you may also notice that most brands offer a number of different formulas. So how do you choose a healthy at food for your Sphynx cat without spending hours and money at the pet store.

Cat food labels are organized in descending order by volume. This means that the ingredients at the top of the list are used in higher quantities than the ingredients at the end of the list. This being the case; you want to see high-quality sources of animal protein at the beginning of the list because protein is the most important nutrient for cats.  After the product is cooked, the actual volume and protein content of the ingredient will be less.

Look for the Right Ingredients

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? Meat meals like chicken meal or salmon meal have already been cooked down so they contain up to 300%; more protein by weight than fresh meats. In addition to quality animal proteins, you want to check the ingredients list for healthy fats; and a limited amount of digestible carbohydrates. In terms of fat, you want to see at least one animal source such as chicken fat or salmon oil.

Animal Fat

Flaxseed and canola oil are not necessarily bad, but they are less biologically valuable for your cat. If they are accompanied by an animal source of fat, it is okay. Just make sure that the fats included in the recipe provide a blend of both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This will help to preserve the skin condition of your Sphynx cat.

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? For cats, digestible carbohydrates include things like brown rice and oatmeal, as long as they have been cooked properly. You can also look for gluten-free and grain-free options like sweet potato and tapioca. It is best to avoid products that are made with corn, wheat, or soy ingredients because they are low in nutritional value and may trigger food allergies in your cat.

Artificial Preservatives is a NO – NO!

Some commonly used artificial preservatives are BHA and BHT. In most cases the label will tell you if natural preservatives are used. When reading the label for commercial cat food products you need to be careful about taking health claims and marketing gimmicks with a grain of salt. Just because the label includes words like natural or holistic means that it is true, you cannot make assumptions about what those terms actually mean since the definitions are not regulated for pet foods like they are for people food. It’s important to check for the AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy as well as the ingredients list instead of just trusting what the manufacturer says about the product.

Feeding Tips for Sphynx Cats

Tip #1

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? Follow the Feeding Instructions and Recommended Daily Feeding Amounts on the packaging of your pet food. You can also consult your veterinarian regarding the feeding measurement. Place the recommended measured amount of food inside the bowl or dish each morning so your cat can eat as he or she pleases throughout the day.

Tip #2

Monitor your cat’s weight and adjust intake accordingly. The amount of food required to maintain an ideal body condition will vary depending on age, activity and environment.  For energetic cats, try dividing the daily portion into several bowls and place them in different locations throughout your home. This also helps to encourage your cat to discover sources of food throughout the day. Reduce the daily intake of dry food to prevent overfeeding. Only if you feed your cat a combination of dry and wet food. Monitor the water intake to make sure your cat is properly hydrated. Use warm water for your kittens.

Tip #3

For kittens, it is highly recommended that you begin offering moistened dry food at 3 – 4 weeks old and make it available to them at all times through the weaning stage at 6 – 8 weeks old. To help keep the food fresh and encourage your kitten to eat only moisten one of these servings at a time rather than preparing the entire daily amount at once and leaving it out all day for grazing.

Conclusion

How to buy cat food for your sphynx cat? You also want to avoid commercial cat foods that contain a large amount of carbohydrates since the cat’s body is not adapted to digesting plant materials as effectively as animal products. Cats only need a very small amount of fiber. In addition to checking the ingredients list for beneficial ingredients you should also know that there are certainly things you do not want to see listed. Avoid products made with low-quality fillers like corn gluten meal or rice bran – you should also avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.