Need a cat diet plan? Unlike dogs and humans, cats are true carnivores. This means cats need a high-protein low-carbohydrate diet. For this reason, we generally recommend canned food over dry. The extrusion process that is used to make kibble requires a large amount of carbohydrates. So, in order to meet their minimum protein requirement, cats eating dry food tend to eat more calories than they actually need. This over-eating can lead to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.

Also, there is some evidence that cats who eat primarily dry food spend their lives chronically dehydrated. Because cats do not share the same thirst drive we do, they tend not drink enough water on their own. Canned food has the added benefit of increased moisture content to help keep your cat well hydrated.

Nutritional Counseling

Finding the nutrition information in cat food can be challenging, but we are here to help. South Austin Cat Hospital offers nutritional counseling and weight loss programs specifically tailored to meet your cat’s needs. If you have questions regarding your cat’s diet, please contact our office to schedule a nutritional counseling appointment and examination.