Low Ash Cat Food
When it comes to keeping a cat, it is obvious one would want the best for the cat, with regards to training, grooming, shelter, and most importantly, food. Going for the help of a qualified trainer and maintaining a clean shelter are observed as being easy to manage, as compared to feeding the cat a balanced diet. You should have an in-depth knowledge about the nutritional requirements of a cat, with respect to its age, size, and others important factors. Remember, it is the task of keeping your pet joyful, healthy, and disease free as well.
When it comes to making a cat’s food, it is ideal to make it at home. But considering the fact it is not always an easy task to make a cat food at home, it is sometimes substituted with market sold foods. This should be done in a ration that is very appropriate.
Seeking the advice of a qualified veterinarian regarding the ingredients that are healthy for your pet is a good move. Furthermore, it is imperative to feed food with low-ash content, with correct amounts of magnesium and other trace minerals for minimizing the risk of urinary tract problems in your pet.
Benefits
To begin, let’s try to know ‘what ash is’ and ‘why it is incorporated in commercial cat foods’. Ash is the inorganic remains obtained after incinerating organic materials. It contains trace minerals that make up complete nutrition for the cat’s health. However, excess amount of this inorganic material causes abnormal fluctuations in the pH range of urine. And the ultimate result is problem of the urinary system, especially amongst male cats.
To be exact, the risk factors of urinary tract blockages and disorders are increased with consumption of high amounts of ash. This is the main reason why, it is advised to feed less ash and more proteins. Also, do not neglect high magnesium content, as it is one of the leading factors for causing uremic disorders. Generally, it is of utmost importance to check the label of commercial products. By so doing, one can ensure that you are providing adequate nutrients required by a cat.
Brands Available
Considering the increasing concerns of feline urinary tract disorders (FLUTD), majority of pet owners are now going in for low magnesium and low ash content in the food of their cats. The more reason, one can find a plethora of types and brands in the pet stores. How can one determine the best brand for the pet? Indeed, selecting a healthy product is really a daunting task. Some brands are Sensible Choice Chicken Meal & Rice Adult Cat Food (5.5 percent ash), Purina Cat Chow Special Care Formula (6.2 percent ash), and Nutrience Kitten Food (6.3 percent ash).
Now that you know the importance of maintaining a low ash content in the diet, make an effort to go through the nutritional label of the products and reviews before purchasing. Products having an ash content of about 5.5 – 6.5 percent are observed to be healthy. It is obvious that even the best dry cat food contains a higher amount of ash compared to wet ones. So, in order to have optimal urine pH range, you should feed dry, moist, and wet foods in adequate proportions. Also, provide lots of water and go for regular veterinarian checkups.
Aside offering low ash cat food, there are other vital aspects that should be taken into consideration while taking care of your pet’s health. Keep a watchful eye on your cat’s behavior and changes in health conditions (if any). By doing so, you can easily identify weakness, fatigue, and disease conditions in the early stages and get them addressed by a veterinarian at the earliest possible save stage.