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Why Fiber Is Important for Your Cat’s Nutrition
Why Fiber Is Important for Your Cat’s Nutrition

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Reasons to Include Fibre-Rich Cat Food in Your Pet’s Diet

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A cat’s diet largely includes other smaller animals as they are carnivorous. However, most cats avoid consuming the animal’s intestinal tract which contains most fibre. This can lead to a lack of fibre in the cat’s diet. But do cats need fibre? Yes. Lack of fibre can result in irregular bowel movement, digestive issues, and other similar health concerns. 

Cats often munch on green grass and leaves to ease constipation. However, they might resist including fibre in their daily meal and only rely on it when ill. But, to ensure your cat’s best physical well-being, you should choose fibre-rich food for cats.

Understanding the classification of fibre for cats

Fibre-rich cat food is essential as it helps in maintaining their digestive health. Thus, pet parents should try to include the necessary amount of fibre in their kitty’s diet. It will help maintain their digestive health and overall well-being. Cat food fibre can be classified based on its solubility.

  1. Soluble fibre: This type of fibre can easily dissolve in gastric juices and gut water. A certain type of soluble fibre also turns into a gel to make excretion easier for the cat. Fibre-rich cat food should include soluble fibre as it is necessary for their digestion and gut health. Cat food with fibre is easily available in the market and is necessary for their physical well-being.
  2. Insoluble fibre: Fibre-rich cat food should contain insoluble fibre alongside soluble fibre. Insoluble fibre adds bulk to the food which ensures easy movement of food through the digestive system. This type of fibre also makes the stool consistent and reduces the chances of constipation.

While choosing cat food with fibre, you should make sure it includes both soluble and insoluble fibre. Besides, the cat’s gut bacteria can break down both soluble and insoluble fibre to produce new compound that helps in nourishing their colon cells.

Why do cats need fibre?

Fibre-rich cat food contains prebiotics, which means they also contain good bacteria that are necessary for a healthy intestine. So, as a cat parent, you should invest in high-quality cat food with fibre to keep your little fur baby’s gut health in check. However, how much fibre does a cat require??

Although fibre is essential for cats, they require it in limited quantities. Too much fibre can risk restricting absorption of nutrients in their body, whereas too little can lead to poor digestive health. The appropriate quantity of fibre for cats is between 1.4 to 3.5% of their daily calorie intake.

Good sources of fibre for cats

Planning to include cat food with fibre in your kitty’s daily diet? Consider adding the following food options to their meal to increase fibre content in your fur baby’s diet.

  1. Animal fibre: Providing fibre-rich food made using a mixture of feathers, fur, bones, tendon, cartilage, and other animal organs can help improve your kitty’s intake of fibre while still sticking to a purely carnivorous diet.
  2. Carrots: Occasionally, you can add a little piece of cooked carrot to the cat’s diet. Carrots are a good source of fibre and vitamin C. They are also non-toxic; hence, you can add a little piece of raw carrot or slightly steamed or boiled carrot along with their daily meal to turn their regular diet into a fibre-rich one.
  3. Green beans: Another fibre-rich food for cats is green beans. This low-carbohydrate food is one of the richest sources of fibre. If planning to add fibre for cats, include a small amount of green beans to their diet.
  4. Wheat bran: This byproduct of wheat is an expensive source of fibre for cats. Wheat bran’s nutty-sweet flavor intrigues cats and can easily provide them their daily fibre without much hassle.
  5. Broccoli: Like most green food, broccoli is yet another good source of fibre. You can serve a small piece of blanched broccoli to your kitty’s diet to keep indigestion and constipation at bay.
  6. Spinach: Rich in vitamins C and K, spinach is a very good plant-based fibre for cats. You can add a few leaves of cooked spinach to your kitty’s daily meal and ensure they get their daily dose of fibre for better gut health.
  7. Lettuce: Lettuce contains a good amount of fibre and water. Allowing your kitty to nibble on a lettuce leaf occasionally will ensure sufficient fibre consumption while also keeping it hydrated.

Besides relying on the above-mentioned plant-based and animal-based fibre, you can also buy IAMS high-fibre cat food to ensure that your kitty gets the right amount of fibre in its meal. IAMS high-fibre cat food such as IAMS ProActive Health Adult Original with Chicken contains a moderate quantity of fermentable fibre along with the chicken. This cat food with fibre is made using fermentable fibre and chicken that your cat is sure to relish. Besides, IAMS is a popular cat food brand that is known for using best-quality ingredients, so your furry friend gets nothing but the best.

Frequently asked questions

  1. How do I get fibre into my cat?
  2. You can easily add fibre into your cat’s diet by choosing a cat food brand that offers fibre-rich cat food or by adding animal-based or plant-based fibre to their daily meal.

  3. Is high-fibre diet good for cats?
  4. Yes, cats need fibre for better gut and intestinal health. However, a cat’s fibre intake should not be more than 3.5% of its daily calorie diet.

  5. Does wet or dry food have more fibre?
  6. Dry food often has more fibre as it contains more bulk compared to wet food which contains more moisture.

  7. Do indoor cats need more fibre?
  8. Yes, all cats need fibre for better digestion and gastrointestinal health.

  9. What fibre is best for cats?
  10. Plant-based fibre such as broccoli, lettuce, carrots, wheat brans, spinach, wheatgrass, and green beans are good for cats. You can also add animal-based fibre such as animal feathers, cartilage, bone, and ligaments to your cat’s diet for encouraging fibre consumption.

  • Kitten Basics: Enriched Environments
    Kitten Basics: Enriched Environments
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    The Power of Enrichment: Keeping Your Kitten Mentally and Physically Healthy

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    As a kitten parent, you want the best for your feline friend. One of the most important aspects of pet care is providing your kitty with a healthy environment that supports overall development. In fact, kitten enriched environment stimulates a happy and healthy life. It refers to providing cats with activities, toys, and other items that stimulate them mentally and physically. Enrichment can also help prevent behavioral problems such as scratching, biting, and destructive habits.
     

    Different type of kitten enriched environment to keep them mentally and physically stimulated
     

    1. Physical enrichment and play: Physical activity is important for cats of all age groups to stay healthy and fit. Providing plenty of opportunities for your kitten to run, jump, and play is key. You can use kitten enrichment toys such as balls, butterfly wants, laser pointers, and cat trees to encourage your kitten to move around. These toys provide physical exercise and mental stimulation as they challenge the kitten to figure out how to play with them.
    2. Environmental enrichment: Providing cats with different environments to explore and interact with can also be enriching. For example, you can create a cosy space for your kitten to relax or provide them with a scratching post and other items that they can use to mark their territory. You can also provide hiding spots like a box or a tunnel for your kitten to explore. This not only provides them with a sense of security but also gives them something new to explore.

    3. Sensory enrichment: Cats have a keen sense of smell, sight, and touch. Provide your kitten with toys and items they can smell, see, or touch. For example, you can use toys with different textures or provide your kitten with a catnip plant to interact with. You can also offer different types of food for your kitten, so it can explore different flavours and textures.

    4. Social enrichment: Cats are social animals and thrive when they have companionship. If you only have one kitten, you can ensure companionship using a stuffed animal or a mirror. This will provide your kitty with the social stimulation it needs. If you have more than one cat, you can provide them with a kitten-friendly environment where they can interact with each other. This can include providing them with a shared space and interactive toys.
       

      In addition to the above types of enrichment, you can also provide your kitten with various kitten enrichment activities to keep them engaged and stimulated. Some examples include:
       

    5. Training: Teaching your basic kitten commands like 'sit' and 'stay' can give them mental stimulation and a sense of accomplishment.
    6. Puzzle feeders: These interactive feeders require your kitten to figure out how to get the food out. They provide mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.

    7. Window seats: Cats love to watch the world go by because it helps them explore something new and stay entertained every day.

      Providing your cats with a kitten enriched environment is essential. It not only keeps them healthy and happy, but it also prevents behavioural problems. With your kitten training environment and other feline enrichment ideas, you can ensure that your cat is always engaged and happy. As a cat parent, it is important to take the necessary time to understand your kitten's needs and provide them with an environment that will help them thrive.

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