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What impact would improper feeding have on a cat’s health?

hay everyone just a quick question please can you give me details regarding the question What impact would improper feeding have on a cat’s health? what could happen if you feed cats wrong types of food, other than the cat becoming fat?, what foods are bad for cats (e.g tinned fish??), what problems will cats have when feeding wrong foods, and the impact it will have on the cat/kitten Thanks Rach xxxxxxxxxxxx

Public Comments

1. All sorts of things. Improper feeding can cause diabetes, urinary blockages, obesity, allergies, constipation, kidney problems and other issues. Foods that contain corn, soy, gluten, wheat, animal byproducts and added salt/sugar are not good for cats. Meats processed for human consumption are not good to give cats because they often contain too much sodium. Offering too much fish can cause urinary problems and mercury poisoning. Feeding a biologically appropriate, meat-based diet will ensure that your cat will live a healthy life. Here's a link from a raw-feeder site about dietary problems in cats: http://www.catnutrition.org/diseases.php
2. Use pet food without any bi products in the ingredients Label.
3. I got a cat at 1 year who was not fed. he would nibble dog food or go out and about and get scraps. he was 4 lbs when he should have been 12 all bony. he regularly had issues with his digestive tract even after being on a stable food for months. down the road he showed very early kidney and liver issues and died at 6 yo due to liver failure. That's an extreme case. Far as a cat getting only beef or a highly unbalanced diet it could lead to vitamin deficiency very fast. Especially if the cat has no acces to outside to help supplement his diet with wild caught prey or handouts from neighbors.
4. The first answer mainly nailed it for this question but i would just like to add that the main point about a cats dietry needs is that they are obligate carnivores. Meaning that they need meat to be supplied in their diet. They need this for all sorts of things but most famously for their supply of taurine which helps the heart keep running and maintains their eye sight.
5. There are many things that can go wrong if you feed a cat improperly. It should go without saying that the risk of constipation and diarrhea is higher with an improper diet. Skin and hair problems are common. The kidneys and liver may also have to work overtime, so problems could develop with them also. Your cat is a carnivore. It needs a meat-based diet. It's best to provide protein from meat-based sources as opposed to plant-based sources.