Will a cat become malnourished if it only eats cat food? How can I tell from a relatively straightforward perspective if my cat is malnourished?
Actually, as long as the cat is healthy and active, has a shiny coat, a regular lifestyle, a good appetite, doesn't have pica or strange behavior, and its bowel movements are normal, then its daily diet is fine. Kittens and pregnant cats need more nutrition, and owners can flexibly adjust their cat's diet according to the different needs of each stage.
Nutrition doesn't equal expensive. Eating the right food is the most important.
Feeding a cat is not much different from how we eat: cat food as the main staple, supplemented with fish, meat, offal, fruits, and vegetables, and occasionally a treat. Choosing the right cat food is crucial. Generally, mid-priced cat food can meet a cat's daily needs; there's no need to deliberately pursue the most expensive or best. The main criterion for choosing cat food is its nutritional composition. Cat food that is low in fat and high in protein, and primarily made from animal fats and proteins, is best. Avoid buying cat food with starch and grains as the main ingredients.
Most commercially available cat food brands add taurine and other nutrients cats need. Owners can check the ingredient list on the food label to see if their cat requires additional vitamins. Cats can be picky about taste; sometimes, even if the food is nutritionally adequate, if a cat doesn't like it, the owner needs to switch to a food that suits their palate. Besides taste, different cats may react differently to the same brand of cat food, such as developing acne or diarrhea. To determine if your cat is having an issue with the food, try buying a small package or asking a friend for a sample. If there are no problems, then you can buy a larger package.
Drinking water is a major challenge for indoor cats. If you're worried about your cat not getting enough water, you can regularly feed them wet food to help them stay hydrated.
In addition to cat food, if you want to supplement your cat's taurine intake, cooked chicken breast is a great option—it's inexpensive and easy to prepare. The broth from cooking chicken breast is especially good and can be given to cats as a substitute for water, as it's also rich in taurine.
Liver is rich in nutrients, especially vitamins A and B, and iron. However, cats shouldn't eat too much liver, as it can cause poisoning. It's also unnecessary to feed it to them at every meal; a few times a month, one or two pieces at a time, is sufficient. For vegetables and fruits, choose those your cat likes and feed them a little each day or every other day. The fiber in vegetables helps with gut health, while fruits provide vitamins and minerals.
