Homemade cat food is becoming a very popular method for feeding our feline friends. Some owners are looking to provide top quality nutrition, while others are using a homemade diet to help with certain health conditions. Either way, the best ingredients for homemade cat food are easily available, affordable and provide some really amazing health benefits.
These are just 5 superfood ingredients that I use a lot, but they aren't the only nutritious ingredients that are healthy for our cats.
Cooking homemade cat food is an easy way to add extra nutrition to your pet's diet, but it's also a good way to provide enticing meals for picky eaters.
Keep your cat's preferences in mind. If he doesn't like some of the ingredients on this list, do some research to look for an equally healthy substitute.
Top 5 Best Ingredients for Homemade Cat Food
1. Lean Meats
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they eat mostly meat. Your cats diet should consist of 70% meat. That’s why lean meat is the first thing on my list of the best ingredients for homemade cat food.
Chicken, turkey, liver, lamb and beef are all great protein sources for your cat. Eggs and fish are both good protein sources as well, but they shouldn’t be fed as a daily meal.
Fish has a high level of fatty acids. In small doses, they are great for your cat, but over time they could cause a Vitamin E deficiency if your cat has a high level of fatty acids in his diet.
Egg whites contain protein with virtually no fat. However, the yolks contain a lot of fat. Eggs are also a common allergen for cats.
Raw meat could make your cat very sick, so be sure to check with your veterinarian or a feline nutritionist if you’re considering feeding your pet a raw diet. I recommend always cooking the meats and protein sources that you feed your pet.
2. Carrots
Carrots are naturally low in saturated fats and cholesterol. They are also an excellent source of niacin, B-vitamins, thiamin, manganese and folate. Carrots are high in fiber, potassium, and many vitamins including A, C and K.
The only word of caution I would give about carrots is to make sure not to feed too many to your cat. This is because they are high in sugars that can lead to excessive weight gain and/or gastrointestinal upset.
3. Pumpkin
Considered a superfood not just because it is low in saturated fats and contains almost zero cholesterol or sodium, pumpkins are also loaded with vitamins A, C and E. Pumpkin offers countless health benefits for your cat, including their high level of thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate.
Did I mention that this type of squash is also packed with iron, magnesium, phosphorus, riboflavin, potassium, copper, manganese and dietary fiber. Now you know why it's referred to as a SUPERfood.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is packed with vitamin C, is rich in dietary fiber and is an excellent source of antioxidants for your cat. Broccoli is great for digestion and can even help soothe an upset stomach.
5. Seaweed
It is difficult to find a more nutrient-dense leafy green anywhere else on the planet. Seaweed is rich in vitamins A and B-12, as well as iodine.
Seaweed also contains soluble fiber, which will help your cat feel fuller longer. This could be very beneficial if your cat is overweight. This type of fiber can also help to soften hard stools or firm up loose stools.
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