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What You Should Know About Changing Your Cat’s Diet
What You Should Know About Changing Your Cat’s Diet

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Significance of Cat Wheatgrass

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Wheatgrass is the fresh shoots of the wheat plant harvested before the grain sprouts. Although unusual, it is a common meal component for cats. Wheatgrass is rich in protein, carotene, and vitamins A, E, and C, making it an added source of nutrition for cats. Cats often nibble on wheatgrass and leafy greens to improve their digestion as fibres present in these plants aid in smoother bowel movement. However, it is important to ensure that your cat only feeds on organic and pesticide-free wheatgrass.

Is cat wheatgrass suitable for all cats?

Generally, all cats that are not allergic to wheatgrass can easily digest and benefit from its nutritional value of it. Wheatgrass for cats is a good source of vitamins, protein, and other essential nutrients. The fibre and selenium help in improving the cat’s gut health. However, you should identify if your kitty is allergic to wheatgrass before letting it nibble on wheatgrass. The following are some signs that will help you identify if your cat is allergic to wheatgrass:

  1. Excessive drooling
  2. Crusty papules
  3. Shedding
  4. Rashes

Even if your cat is not allergic to wheatgrass, you must limit its consumption to less than 10% of its total caloric consumption. Wheat for cats is best served every alternate day instead of daily.

The benefits of wheatgrass for cats

While everyone knows wheatgrass for cats is beneficial for digestion, there are various other benefits of wheatgrass as well. The following are some of the many benefits of wheatgrass for cats:

  1. Weight loss: Cats are inherently carnivorous animals who hunt their prey in the wild. However, domesticated cats have no need to hunt which has led to a drastic increase in their weight. Snacking on wheatgrass while changing the cat’s diet helps in managing their weight better.
  2. Better immunity: One of the many benefits of wheatgrass for cats lies in its nutritional value. The amount of minerals, vitamins, fibre, and protein present in wheatgrass positively impacts the cat’s immunity system.
  3. Oral health: Cat wheatgrass is a healthier snacking option that cats can nibble on without damaging their teeth. Regular snacks can lead to tooth decaying of the kitty’s tooth. Switching to wheat snacks and wheatgrass can improve their dental and oral health as it is organic and healthier.
  4. Antiaging: Chlorophyll present in wheatgrass is known for being a blood booster. This component present in the wheatgrass works as an antiaging component. Consuming wheatgrass helps increase potent blood and makes your cat look and feel younger.
  5. Healthy kidney: Cats rely more on wheat, wheatgrass, and a greener diet when dealing with digestive and gastrointestinal issues. If you notice your cat munching on wheatgrass for cats then they might be dealing with some gut, digestive, or kidney-related issues. Hence, providing snacks such as wheat for cats helps you identify if your kitty needs a veterinarian’s appointment at the earliest for diagnosing their gastrointestinal and kidney health.
  6. Improved vision: Cat wheatgrass contains vitamins A, E, and C. Vitamin A is closely associated with improving vision. Therefore, munching on cat wheatgrass can improve your cat’s vision.

Disadvantages of wheatgrass for cats

While there are many advantages of wheatgrass and wheat for cats, there are a few considerations and disadvantages as well. Some of the demerits of excessive munching on wheatgrass for cats are as follows:

  1. Cats are carnivorous animals. Snacking on wheatgrass and wheat more than usual can cause harm to their overall health.
  2. Consuming too much wheatgrass can lead to diarrhoea and vomiting. Please consult a veterinarian doctor at the earliest if you notice your kitty excessively vomiting or pooping.

Cat grass vs wheatgrass

Most cat parents have a hard time differentiating between cat grass and wheatgrass. If you are one of them, fret not. We will understand the difference between the two in this section. 

Cat food brands often market wheatgrass as cat grass. However, you must note that cat grass can be any grass, from barley and oats to wheatgrass and fescue. So, if you see a pack of cat food that says cat grass, check its label. Moreover, ensure that you opt for brands that use organic ingredients.

Now that you know of the benefits of wheatgrass for cats, you can start adding the regulated amount of wheatgrass to their diet. Please consult a veterinarian before deciding to serve wheat or wheatgrass to your feline friend.

Frequently asked questions

  1. Why is my cat obsessed with wheatgrass?
  2. If your cat has been munching on wheatgrass or grass more than usual, it might be facing some gastrointestinal issues. It is best to consult a veterinarian to ensure their physical well-being.

  3. Can cats eat whole wheat?
  4. Yes, cats can digest baked or cooked wheat products and wheat bran.

  5. How much wheatgrass can a cat eat?
  6. Total consumption of wheatgrass for cats should limit to 10% or lesser of their total caloric diet.

  7. Is wheatgrass good for indoor cats?
  8. Yes, wheatgrass improves indoor cats’ vision, immunity, and oral as well as gastrointestinal health, and helps keep their weight in check.

  9. Is wheatgrass and cat grass the same?
  10. Cat grass are cereal grasses that cats much on. Wheatgrass is a type of cat grass.

  • Tips on How To Feed Your Cat
    Tips on How To Feed Your Cat
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    Tips on How To Feed Your Cat

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    Compared to humans, your cat needs a high-fat, high-protein diet along with other important nutrients. Cats usually eat many small meals throughout the day, so they easily adopt a free choice feeding schedule to maintain their normal body weight. Dry foods, such as IAMS™ PROACTIVE HEALTH™ Healthy Adult with Chicken, are best suited for free choice feeding because they stay fresh for a longer period.

    Here are few tips on how to feed a cat:

    Nutritional Building Blocks

    Cats need nutrients from animal-based protein sources. Providing the vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other components found in a portion of complete and balanced pet food can help your cat live a long and healthy life. It is important to avoid supplementing your cat's diet, as doing so may lead to a variety of health problems. 

    When selecting cat food, look for ones that offer the following nutrients:

    • Animal protein from meat, poultry, fish, or egg sources to maintain strong muscular structure, vital organs, antibodies, and more.
    • Taurine, an amino acid, found in meat sources such as chicken and fish, but not in plant proteins, to maintain healthy eyes, prevent heart disease. It also promotes healthy reproduction, fetal growth, and development.
    • Essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, which can be found pre-formed only in animal tissues, and vitamin E to help support the immune system.
    • A precise balance of fatty acids to help promote excellent skin and coat health.
    • A fiber source, such as beet pulp, that will help maintain your cat's digestive system health. 

     



     

    Special Dietary Needs


    Pregnant or Lactating Cats

    A cat's energy intake should be increased gradually by up to 50% over her maintenance intake throughout its pregnancy. You can feed your pregnant cat wholesome kitten food to provide the needed nutritional support during the last few weeks of gestation.

    After birth, the mother cat's energy increases by 50% to 75% over normal in the first week to twice the normal in the second week, and up to three times during the third week. The third and fourth weeks are the most demanding because kittens are still feeding on the lactating cat’s milk and have not begun eating dry or canned food. Once kittens begin weaning, the mother cat should be feed normal food portions to avoid unnecessary weight gain.



     

    Avoiding Obesity

     

    ‘What do cats eat that result in them developing obesity’ is a commonly asked question by cat parents. Several factors are responsible for causing an unhealthy weight gain in your cat. Food and nutritional requirements of a cat are quite different than that of a kitten or even a senior cat. Simply increasing the amount of food your cat eats to satisfy its nutritional need could lead to cat obesity. And this is a health problem that should not be taken lightly. In general, indoor cats are at a higher risk of developing obesity because they do not engage in many physical activities. But as a cat parent, you must pay attention to your cat’s food intake and make sure it remains active. You may also introduce a new kind of diet that may help your cat to maintain its weight. Read further ahead for some useful cat feeding tips that can help you. 

      what size

    same time, we recommend you control the amount of food you feed your cat. Even if it is a weight loss-based cat food, the quantity should be checked properly. 


    Preventing Hairballs

    Cats spend a considerable amount of time grooming themselves. In the process, they end up swallowing their body hair. This leads to a hair build-up in the stomach. If the hairball doesn’t pass into the intestines, a cat may try to cough it up. A special diet can help decrease the likelihood of hairballs, but you may decrease its effectiveness if you combine it with other foods.
     

    Comparison Of Eating Habits For Underweight V/S Overweight Cat

    Underweight Cats:

    Underweight cats need more nourishment, which will help them increase their body mass, eventually increasing their weight. For underweight cats, an intake of extra calories is also essential. These extra calories will help your cat gain healthy weight. You may contact your vet who can devise a proper weight gain chart for your cat. 

    Overweight Cats: 

    Overweight cats need a calorie-restricted diet for them to come down to their healthy weight. In fact, the food you feed your overweight or obese cat should ideally have high protein and low calories. At the
     

    How Much Food Should Your Cat Eat Daily?

     

    The amount to feed your cat depends on its age, size, and activity level. Feeding guidelines that recommend the daily amount of food you may feed your cat are included on all IAMS packages. Start feeding your cat the mentioned amount and adjust according to its needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day. With that said now, take a look at this table to know how much to feed your cat:

    Weight of cat (kg)

    G/day

    3

    45

    4

    55

    5

    60

    6

    70

    7

    80

    8

    90

     

    How IAMS Products Help To Solve Over-Eating/Under-Eating Issues?

    IAMS offers a high protein diet food for cats that are either underweight or overweight. The IAMS Indoor Weight and Hairball Care food is made with a formula that is suitable for cats who are either in need of increasing weight or decreasing it. The benefits of this cat diet plan are as follows:

    • 1st Ingredient is Chicken. 
    • This formula includes L-Carnitine that helps get your cat achieve its ideal weight and has balanced nutrition. 
    • This food is recommended by Veterinarians as well. 
    • This cat diet plan also helps maintain your cat’s urinary tract health. 

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