Adult cat food

Did you know that more than half of North American cats are overweight? For more figures, read the results of the Pet Obesity Survey conducted in the U.S. in 2018 by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention.

Being overweight increases your adult cat’s risk of developing health issues like:

• Diabetes
• Urinary problems
• Heart disease
• Skin conditions
• Certain types of cancer

You understand why maintaining a healthy weight is important—it’s the how that can be a little confusing. The best strategy is to opt for an adult cat nutrition plan that matches their lifestyle.

For advice on keeping your feline friend at an ideal weight, see our article on Maintaining your cat’s weight.

Feed the carnivore in them

Cats and dogs don’t have the same nutrition needs. Cats are carnivores, whereas dogs are omnivores. That means your cat’s system digests and uses proteins, carbohydrates, and fats very differently.

To keep your little carnivore feeling full and limit their calorie intake, you have to use a different strategy (and adult cat food) than the one recommended for your dog. Their food should meet their individual needs, with no excesses or deficiencies.

To better understand why it’s important for cats to have a carnivorous diet, read our blog post Un chien ou chat végétarien, c’est possible?(in French only).

Figuring out optimal serving sizes for your cat

Your cat is unique and so is their metabolism. It can vary depending on:

• Their temperament
• Their activity level
• Whether they’ve been altered

That means your altered house cat and the neighbour’s outdoor tomcat don’t require the same amount of food, even though they weigh the same. The difference can be as much as double!

But how do you figure it out? The suggested serving sizes on pet food labels are a good place to start. Get into the habit of measuring or even weighing Fluffy’s food. Your cat is a pretty small animal. A tiny extra amount of dry cat food at mealtime can have a visible impact on their waistline.

Just 10 extra pieces of dry kibble is 10% too much food! It’s the equivalent of a human consuming about 200 extra calories in a day, or adding 4 slices of bacon, 1 cup of pasta, or 3 eggs to every serving. That’s a lot!

Give treats, but in moderation

We know you like to make your cat happy and spoil them from time to time. There’s nothing better than the gentle purrs and slow blinks of a contented cat. But don’t overdo it! Giving too many treats can quickly become an unhealthy habit and lead to weight gain.

So give them in moderation. And opt for low-calorie treats you can use as a guilt-free reward.

Monitor their weight and figure

Observe your cat closely. Notice a little paunch hanging under their belly? That’s the feline equivalent of human love handles and the first sign of being overweight.

To make sure you’re serving up the perfect portion, work with your veterinarian to check your cat’s body condition score on a regular basis and adjust their intake of dry and wet cat food and treats accordingly. This will give you more control and help keep kitty at a healthy weight.

Use the Body Condition Score PDF from WSAVA to accurately assess your cat’s body shape and learn to recognize when they’re putting on pounds.

Need advice? Your veterinary team can help you determine the proper portions and recommend a special adult cat to meet their needs and lifestyle.

Your adult cat is more prone to urinary problems. These can be highly uncomfortable and painful and lead to accidents that can negatively impact your relationship with your precious pet. To learn more on this topic, visit our article on House soiling.

In the most serious cases these issues can cause urinary obstruction, which can be life-threatening and should be treated right away. It’s also in your best interests to prevent these problems so they don’t sap your morale or undermine your bond with your kitty.

Causes and risk factors

What causes urinary problems in cats? The culprit is often crystals that form in their urine, but sometimes bladder inflammation has no obvious source. Risk factors linked to these disorders include:

• Being overweight
• Lack of exercise
• Stress
• Insufficient water consumption

Hydration and nutrition

How can you keep your cat’s urinary system healthy? Incorporate a little wet cat food into their daily diet. It will make your cat happy and it’s good for their bladder. You can also find ways to get your kitty to drink more water. Read our article Allez minou, bois un peu plus d’eau(in French only) for some strategies.

Some foods have added magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous to keep crystals from forming in cats’ urine. Some also contain omega-3s and natural ingredients with calming effects that can protect their urinary health.

But be sure to talk to your veterinarian first before incorporating this type of food. They can recommend different products that are proven effective and reliable and make sure nothing conflicts with your adult cat’s nutrition plan.

For more info on urinary health in house cats, check out these two articles on our partner Royal Canin’s website:

• Bladder problems in cats
• How to treat a cat with urinary issues

The way you dish up your cat’s meals has a real impact on their physical and mental health. Fluffy may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean they’ve lost their killer instinct. In the wild, your cat would hunt and consume 10 to 20 small prey a day. They’re programmed to work for their food.

For your mini-tiger, eating is a sport, so plain old bowl feeding can make them quickly lose interest. Some cats get into the habit of eating too quickly (and too much!), only to be bored until their next meal.

To keep your cat motivated, ditch the bowl and adopt a different feeding strategy. It’s one of the nicest things you can do for your feline companion, especially if they’re an indoor-only cat.

Interested in giving it a try? Read our recommendations in the article Fabriquer des stratégies alimentaires pour son chat(in French only) and get what you need in our online store.

Did you know that most cats suffer from dental problems, including tartar, tooth resorption, and infection? Tooth pain is not always easy to detect in a cat and can seriously undermine their quality of life!

Gingivitis and infection

Over time, plaque and tartar buildup can cause gingivitis, the most common dental disease in cats. If left unchecked, it can worsen and lead to other dental problems like:

• Pain
• Infection
• Difficulty chewing

Without treatment, any one of kitty’s mouth infections can spread to other body parts. So prevention is key!

Good dental hygiene

The best way to promote your cat’s good dental hygiene is to brush—yes, brush!—their teeth every day. We understand your hesitation. That tiny little mouth (with lots of tiny sharp teeth!) isn’t always cooperative. It’s a task that feels a little like…herding cats!

But instead of rejecting the idea out of hand, ask your veterinarian for help. They can show you how to do it and give you some tips to make things easier. Read our article Le brossage de dents, c’est plaisant!(in French only) for more useful advice.

Brush their teeth with special adult cat food

To supplement brushing, offer your cat food designed to support dental hygiene. This type of food can slow the buildup of plaque and tartar through abrasive action or additives. Once again, your veterinary team is here to offer advice and help you incorporate this type of food into your adult cat’s nutrition plan.

To learn more about your cat’s dental health and potential issues, visit our Dental care page.