From being a tiny five-month-old kitten in the shelter to having a loving family and Instagram platform with over 4 million followers, Nala knows firsthand the importance of a balanced, nutritious diet. When welcoming a cat into the family, here are a few important things Nala and her parents have learned along the way.
1. Get regular check-ups
Consulting and building a trusted relationship with a veterinarian is the first step to ensuring your cat is on the right track to living its best life. Your vet may recommend certain diets and regular physical exams that include blood pressure checks and blood and urine tests to check internal functions. As your pet ages, it may require more frequent check-ups as activity levels and dietary needs change.
2. Look for premium ingredients
Cats are known carnivores. Most thrive on a diet that includes high quality animal protein sources such as meat, poultry, and fish. When choosing the right food for your cat, it is important to look for complete and balanced recipes that have essential vitamins and minerals to keep your cat healthy. As pet parents, we opt for premium recipes that do not contain any fillers, by-product meals or artificial preservatives. In addition, Dr. Marty, America’s Veterinarian, says to “avoid giving cats onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, milk products, raw eggs/meat, and dog food, which don’t have certain vitamins, amino acids and nutrients cats need.”
3. Proper hydration
Ensuring access to clean, fresh water every day is essential to a kitty’s health. Lack of water or too much water can lead to all sorts of health problems, so it is important to observe your cat to make sure it is getting the right amount. For starters, Dr. Jennifer Conrad, founder of The Paw Project, recommends “that an average adult cat should be eating and drinking 200 to 300 ml of water throughout the day. Wet food is usually 70 percent water, so many cats get a lot of moisture from there too.”
“As pet parents to Nala and her five siblings, we recognize that every cat has its own unique needs. It is important to take its individual needs into consideration and consult a trusted veterinarian whenever you have questions about your cat’s behavior, diet, and well-being,” say Nala’s parents, Pookie and Shannon.