| $ $ Cat Food Annually: $100 - $2,000 |
A cat’s diet is fundamental to keeping the cat fit and healthy, especially since they tend to live long lives.
As it happens with human beings, cats need to have food that has all the nutrients they require according to their own organism and evolution.
This will help to avoid developing diseases or conditions that will end up affecting its growth and quality of life.
Whether you’re thinking about getting a cat for the first time, or if you want to know more about how to keep your cat healthy and in good shape, we’ll review here some of the basic aspects of cat food, and how much you can expect to pay for it.
Table of Contents
What Kind Of Food Do Cats Eat?
Cats are hunters, they are carnivores that need to eat protein that comes from other animals to survive.
But nowadays when cats seem to have become almost entirely indoor pets, their chances of hunting their food are basically nonexistent, so it’s up to their owners to provide them with food that not only satisfies and pleases them but that will also nourish them properly.
It’s important to mention that cats can’t eat everything humans can, only a small proportion of our food can be eaten and digested by them: blueberries, melon, eggs, fish, chicken, and turkey.
What Types Of Cat Food Are There?
There are four basic groups of cat food in the market: wet, raw, lightly cooked, and dry.
Wet Food
Wet food can come in two presentations, cans, or pouches.
This food has a high percentage of protein, but it could contain artificial ingredients, so it’s always a good idea to check the label first.
There are different textures to choose from, like pate, shredded, flaked, or even broth.
Raw Food
Raw food is a great option for your cat since the ingredients are usually healthier and less processed.
You can find it on the market dehydrated, frozen, or made by a store unless you want to do it yourself at home if you have enough time on your schedule.
Lightly Cooked Food
Lightly cooked food is exactly that, which has proven to have benefits for the cat’s digestion, being boiled or steamed.
It also has a lot of protein, just like raw and wet food.
Dry Food
The last type of cat food is dry food, which might be the first thing that comes to our minds when we think about cat food, just like dog food.
However, this type generally has the least percentage of protein and nutrients for your cat, compared with the other types of cat food we previously mentioned here.
It can also contain artificial ingredients or sugars that could end up affecting your cat’s health.
Which Cat Food Should I Buy For My Cat?
The first thing you should consider when buying cat food is the age of your cat.
Kittens, adults, or senior cats have very different nutritional requirements that not only tend to change throughout the years but also with the cat’s specific characteristics.
There are still so many options for each group age to choose from, so it’s advisable to ask your veterinarian which kind of food would be better for your cat, according to its unique traits.
How Much Does Cat Food Cost?
The price of cat food is going to vary on the type of food you choose whether it’s wet, raw, lightly cooked, or dry, the way it’s packed (cans, pouches, bags), and the brand, and there are a lot of options on the market.
Normally, you can expect to pay annually for cat food between $100 to $2,000.
Dry food tends to be the cheapest type of cat food available but since it usually doesn’t have a lot of protein, you could end up paying more in the long term if you combine it with other types of food.
If your cat has allergies or any medical condition, you will probably have to pay more to get the special food it needs.
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