When it comes to pet nutrition, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Every pet has different nutrition needs, and the best diet for one animal may not be the best for another.
For cats, deciding what to feed them becomes even more complicated, as cats, in particular, are sensitive to certain ingredients in their diet.
One of the current popular debates in the pet world is whether or not cat owners should feed their cats homemade food instead of store-bought options.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of homemade cat food and whether or not cats should be eating it.
Can I Feed My Cat Homemade Food?
Pros
One of the main advantages of making and feeding your cat homemade food is that you’ll have complete control over the ingredients that go into their meal plan. With store-bought cat food, you’re often limited to just a few options, while with homemade food, you could easily modify your cat’s diet to match their specific needs.
This includes the ability to add a variety of vitamins, minerals, and supplements to your cat’s meals, tailoring their food to increase health and wellness.
Another benefit of homemade cat food is that you know exactly where your ingredients come from. Store-bought cat foods sometimes use lower quality ingredients, which can be unhealthy for cats, or contain preservatives and additives that could also present health risks.
With homemade cat food, you know exactly what your pet is eating and can source out fresh, nutritious ingredients.
Cons
When making and feeding homemade cat food, you’ll want to take special consideration not to overload your pet’s meals with stir-fried meat, fatty snacks, dairy, or species-specific ingredients like fish, which can be unhealthy in excessive amounts.
Cats need a balanced diet, similar to humans, to maintain their health, and if too many unhealthy snacks are added to their meals, it could lead to health issues.
Another downside to making homemade cat food is that it takes a lot of research to determine the appropriate amount and type of ingredients. For example, some cats will need specific types of proteins or amounts of grains, and if you don’t provide your cat with the right ingredients, it could result in negative health implications.
In addition, cat owners need to be aware that homemade cat food may contain bacterial contaminants that humans are generally unaffected by, but that could potentially harm cats — making research even more important.
Conclusion
When it comes to feeding your cat homemade food, it’s important to remember the pros and cons. While homemade food may provide freshness, additional vitamins, and more customizability, it’s important to research each ingredient and to be aware of the potential bacterial contamination.
If you’re looking for the healthiest diet possible, you should consider consulting with a professional vet nutritionist for the best meal plan for your cat.
His professional interests include humane education, ethics, small animal behavior, and veterinary. As a pet lover from school life, having grown up with two cats and a dog. If he isn’t spending time with his friends and family, Justin enjoys traveling. Learn more about Justin here.
