Make healthy food for cats yourself

Imagine your cat purring contentedly after a meal you prepared yourself! Ready-made food is convenient, but sometimes you want to give your furry friend something special. With simple ingredients like meat, rice and carrots, you can make healthy food for your cat yourself. In this article, you will learn all about the benefits of homemade cat food, essential nutrients, safe foods and get simple recipes to help keep your house cat healthy and happy.

Basics of Cat Nutrition and Benefits of DIY Food

Cats are carnivores by nature, and their diet should be based on this need. Homemade cat food allows you to control exactly what your cat eats and ensure it gets all the necessary nutrients. By preparing the food yourself, you can guarantee freshness and quality while also catering to your cat's specific needs, such as allergies or taste preferences.

The advantages of DIY food are manifold:

• You avoid unwanted additives such as colorants and preservatives.
• You can exclude grains and sugars, which are often found in commercial foods but are not part of a cat's natural diet.
• You strengthen the bond with your cat by preparing her food with love and care.

To make your own cat food, it's important to have a solid foundation of cat nutritional needs. A good cat cookbook that focuses on nutritional basics can help you prepare healthy and balanced meals . It will provide you with recipes and instructions on how to create meals that will not only please your cat, but also promote their well-being.

Essential Nutrients in the Cat Diet

Cats need a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients to stay healthy and active. Proteins are particularly important as they form the building blocks for muscle development and maintenance. Fats are also essential as they provide energy and perform important functions in the metabolism. But vitamins and minerals should also be included in the cat's diet as they support numerous bodily functions.

While proteins and fats can easily be obtained from animal products such as meat and fish, vitamins and minerals often need to be supplemented. It is important to find the right balance, as both a deficiency and an excess can cause health problems. It is therefore advisable to find out about your cat's individual needs and, if in doubt, seek expert advice.

When putting together cat food, care should be taken to ensure that all essential nutrients are included in the right amounts and in the right proportions. The food pyramid for cats can serve as a guide. In it, nutrients are listed according to their importance and proportion in the cat's diet, starting with proteins and ending with carbohydrates, which cats only need in small amounts.

Taurine and Proteins: Why They Are Crucial

Taurine and proteins are two essential nutrients that should not be missing from a cat's diet. Taurine is an amino acid that is vital for cats and that they cannot produce in sufficient quantities themselves. It must therefore be obtained through food. A taurine deficiency can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease or vision problems.

Proteins are primarily responsible for building and maintaining body substance. Cats need high-quality animal proteins from meat or fish, as these contain all the essential amino acids that cats need for their health. Plant proteins can also be part of the cat's diet, but it is important that the overall amino acid composition meets the cat's needs.

Safe and healthy food for cats

When it comes to your cat's diet, it's important to choose safe and healthy foods . Cats are carnivores and need a diet rich in animal proteins. Good sources of protein include chicken, turkey, beef, or fish . These should always be well cooked to minimize the risk of pathogens. In addition to proteins, cats also need fats, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy all around.

There are also some plant-based foods that are safe for cats. These include cooked carrots and zucchini , which can be fed in small amounts. However, these should only make up a small part of the diet, as cats should get their energy primarily from animal sources. Here are a few safe plant-based foods that you can give your cat in bulk:

• Boiled carrots.
• Steamed zucchini.
• Cooked pumpkin.

Don't forget special cat treats , which can be a great reward in small amounts. Make sure that these treats do not make up more than 10% of your cat's daily calorie intake to prevent obesity. High-quality treats should have a high meat content and be free of sugar and artificial additives. This way you can pamper your cat without endangering its health.

Foods that cats should avoid

There are certain foods that cats should definitely avoid because they can cause health problems . For example, onions and garlic are harmful to cats and can lead to anemia. Chocolate and caffeine are also toxic to cats and can lead to poisoning. To protect your cat, you should not give her these foods:

• onions and garlic.
• Chocolate.
• Caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea.

Other foods that cats should avoid include alcohol , as it is extremely toxic to them, and xylitol , a sweetener that can be found in sugar-free products and can lead to dangerous hypoglycemia. Raw beans and pulses also contain lectins, which can be toxic to cats. Even dairy products require caution, as many cats cannot digest lactose well and can develop gastrointestinal problems as a result.

Simple recipes for healthy cat food

Homemade cat food is a wonderful way to offer your cat a healthy and varied diet. Simple recipes with ingredients such as lean meat, vegetables and rice are not only nutritious but also quick to prepare. You can be sure that your four-legged friend is getting fresh, high-quality meals that are free from artificial additives.

Preparing cat food at home allows you to cater to your cat's individual preferences and needs. You can try different types of meat and add vegetables such as carrots or zucchini. Important nutrients such as taurine can be provided through special additives to ensure a balanced diet.

A homemade basic recipe can serve as a base that you can adapt as you like. Experiment with different ingredients and find out what your cat likes best. Remember to let the food cool down well after preparing it before serving it to your cat.

portion sizes and feeding frequency

The right portion size and feeding frequency are crucial for your cat's health. Cats tend to prefer several small meals throughout the day, which is their natural eating behavior. Smaller portions can help prevent obesity and relieve the digestive system.

It is recommended that you divide the daily food into several meals. The exact number and size of the portions depends on various factors, such as the weight, activity and health of your cat. As a rule of thumb, an adult cat needs about 60 kilocalories per kilogram of body weight per day.

Storage and shelf life of homemade food

Proper storage of homemade cat food is crucial to maintaining its freshness and quality. For short-term storage of one to two days, you can store the food in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will protect it from bacterial growth and keep it fresh.

If you want to make the homemade food last longer , you can portion it and freeze it. Make sure to let the food cool completely before freezing and store it in freezer-safe containers. This way you can ensure that your house cat can enjoy healthy and delicious meals in the future.

Diet planning for cats: healthy weight loss

Planning a healthy diet for your cat is crucial if you want him to lose weight. It's not just about reducing the amount of food, but also about choosing high-quality ingredients that will provide your cat with all the nutrients it needs. Homemade food can help keep track of calorie intake while ensuring the quality of the food.

The transition to homemade food should be gradual so as not to irritate your cat's digestive tract. Start with small amounts of the new food and mix it into the usual food. Gradually increase the amount of homemade food until it has completely replaced the old food.

During the diet, it is important to weigh your cat regularly and document its progress. This will help ensure that your cat is losing weight healthily and is not becoming undernourished. Make sure your veterinarian is involved in the diet plan and can provide helpful tips for weight loss.

Transitioning to Homemade Food: A Guide

The transition to homemade food needs to be well planned to provide your cat with a balanced diet. Create a plan that determines when and how you will introduce the new food. Start with a small amount and increase it over several days or weeks.

Watch your cat closely during the transition. If your cat accepts the new food well, you can gradually increase the amount. However, if your cat reacts with digestive problems or loss of appetite , it is advisable to take a step back and reduce the amount of the new food.

Here is a simple guide to the transition:

• Day 1-3: Mix 25% homemade food with 75% usual food
• Day 4-6: Increase to 50% homemade food
• Day 7-9: Add 75% homemade food
• From day 10: Switch completely to homemade food Pay attention to your cat's reactions and adjust the plan if necessary.

Frequently asked questions about homemade cat food

Do you have questions about homemade cat food? No problem, here are some of the most common questions and their answers. For example, many wonder if homemade food contains all the nutrients cats need. The answer is yes, as long as you stick to recipes that use balanced ingredients and contain all the essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Another common question is whether homemade cat food is more expensive than store-bought. This depends on several factors, such as the ingredients you use and where you buy them. Often it can be cheaper, especially if you buy ingredients in bulk or use seasonal produce. Here are a few points to consider:

• Seasonal ingredients are often cheaper and fresher.
• Bulk purchases can lower the price per meal.
• High-quality ingredients can provide long-term health benefits and thus save on veterinary costs.

Flappie: Your partner for a clean home

Flappie offers a smart cat flap that, in addition to a healthy diet, ensures a clean and hygienic home . Selective access control and prey detection by AI-controlled cameras prevent your cat from bringing prey into the house. So you can rest assured that your home will remain free of unwanted guests while your cat still enjoys its freedom.

The Flappie app is your digital assistant to conveniently control the cat flap and always be informed about your cat's comings and goings. You receive push notifications , can set access times and get insights into your cat's behavior through videos and statistics. Visit flappie.ch to find out more about Flappie's intelligent cat flap and how it makes living with your cat even more pleasant .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the healthiest food for cats?

The healthiest food for cats is a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Homemade food made from high-quality animal proteins such as chicken, turkey, beef or fish, supplemented with safe plant foods such as cooked carrots and zucchini, can be a healthy option as long as it contains all the necessary nutrients and is free of harmful foods such as onions, garlic, chocolate and caffeine.

What can cats eat at home?

At home, cats are allowed to eat a variety of foods that are safe and healthy for them. This includes well-cooked meats such as chicken, turkey, beef or fish, as well as some plant foods such as boiled carrots, steamed zucchini and boiled pumpkin in small amounts. It is important that the food is free of harmful foods such as onions, garlic, chocolate, caffeinated drinks, alcohol, xylitol, raw beans and legumes, and that dairy products are given with caution as many cats cannot digest lactose well.

What can I feed cats?

You can feed your cat a variety of foods that are safe and healthy. Good sources of protein include well-cooked chicken, turkey, beef or fish. Plant-based foods such as cooked carrots and zucchini can be added in small amounts. Special cat treats can serve as a reward as long as they do not make up more than 10% of the daily calorie intake and are high quality, meaning they have a high meat content and are free of sugar and artificial additives. It is important that the food is balanced and contains all essential nutrients in the right amounts and proportions.

Which vegetables are good for cats?

Some vegetables are safe for cats and can be fed in small amounts. These include boiled carrots, steamed zucchini and boiled pumpkin. However, these vegetables should only make up a small part of the diet, as cats should get their energy primarily from animal sources.