Did you know cats burn excess calories to remain warm in winter? You might have observed that your cat seems to practice abstinence sometimes during summer. On the other hand, cats are known to eat more in winter because of some changes in their metabolism.
With winter knocking on the door, now may be the best time to work on an appropriate cat winter diet in a quest to achieve the best cat health.
This article will guide you in choosing the right diet for your cat to keep her healthy through the holiday season.
Why You Should Adjust Your Cat's Diet in Winter
Cats can hardly go outside to hunt in cold winter; they instead want to stay indoors to keep warm. At this period, your cat is supposed to eat more to give it the right body temperature and insulate its body.
Your cat may also, in some other cases, reduce its activities and consequently gain weight. Therefore, it is always necessary to monitor its weight to understand what approach to take in its diet. Keeping your cat hydrated is important to help reduce the effect of the dry winter air.
Tips for a Healthy Winter Diet
Increasing the Intake of Calories
As a cat owner, you can control the amount of calories that your cat takes in. You do this by increasing the quantity of food you serve per serving.
You should also know that shivering due to cold may occur sometimes. Shivering requires a lot of calories. More calories means more energy, and that translates to more food.
Ensure a Hydrating Diet
Our cats bring us much comfort but cannot tell us things as little as when they feel dehydrated. The best way to ensure we protect them from getting dehydrated by the harsh winter air is by giving them a hydrating diet.
Wet food ensures our felines are getting enough moisture. Broth and soups can also keep them hydrated and healthy. However, ensure you don't prepare the soup or broth with onion, garlic, or excessive salt for the cat's sake.
Dietary Selections
Protein-rich foods are important in your cat food selections for any healthy cat diet. Remember, cats are carnivores, and protein works to help with muscle maintenance, energy, and general vitality of your cat. As such, you may want to supplement your cat's diet with lean meats, fish, eggs, organ meats, and healthy fats.
Other supplements might include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids.
Monitor Your Cat's Weight
One important thing you should not leave out during the care of your cat is the constant monitoring of its weight. This you can do using a pet scale or by visiting a veterinary quite often to ensure that your cat has a healthy weight.
Once you notice something different and abnormal about the weight, pay a visit to the vet, as this may be a pointer to an underlying problem.
In Conclusion
Our cute little cats need more attention in Winter. Being a cat owner, you must readily change its diet to keep it healthy.
Cats need an extra intake of food to produce a sufficient amount of calories to heat them up in winter. You should, therefore, add protein-rich food to their diet, keep them hydrated, and keep their weight suitable.
