Image Credit: Patrick Foto, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSafety Considerations<\/h3>\n
While store-bought pet foods sometimes get a bad name because of recalls, most recalls are voluntary. The companies identify a problem and pull products as soon it becomes evident, saving the lives of pets that would otherwise have been impacted.<\/p>\n
Factories manufacturing cat food are subject to multiple regulations and quality control practices. Your cat will get a nutritionally complete and balanced diet, and you can feel confident knowing that the odds of your cat being safe are excellent.<\/p>\n
However, some owners oppose commercial brands because they’re concerned about the ingredients. Some brands add fillers to their products in the form of carbohydrates (which cats don\u2019t usually need in the amounts found in such foods).<\/p>\n
Pros<\/div>
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\n- <\/i> Fully balanced, often through board-certified veterinary nutritionists<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Many textures, flavors, and diet types are available<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Suitable for all cats<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Subject to quality control and safety regulations<\/li>\n
- <\/i> All price points available<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Cons<\/div>
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\n- <\/i> May experience recalls<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Nutritional quality varies by brand<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Often doesn\u2019t feel natural<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
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Overview of Homemade Cat Food:<\/h2>\n
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What Kind of Variety Is Available?<\/h3>\n
The great thing about homemade cat food is that you can customize the diet to suit your cat\u2019s preferences and needs. You can pick proteins that your cat likes, but you will be limited to what\u2019s available in your area. If your cat likes dry food, you\u2019ll struggle to make something suitable at home.<\/p>\n
It may also be difficult to achieve different wet food textures. Homemade cat food is challenging to properly formulate on a tight budget, so it isn\u2019t ideal for people with a limited pet food budget.<\/p>\n
Good For:<\/h3>\n
Homemade cat food can be suitable if you\u2019re an owner who has talked to a board-certified veterinary nutritionist or your vet about your cat’s nutritional needs. Cats that like wet and meaty foods can be appeased with homemade cat food. If your cat is a kitten, is elderly, or is experiencing a health condition, preparing homemade food will give you the flexibility to create a diet that meets their needs. However, it\u2019s advisable to have a professional assist in developing the diet to fully meet your cat\u2019s needs and prevent nutritional deficiencies.<\/p>\n
Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSafety Considerations<\/h3>\n
Regarding safety, homemade cat food can be very hit or miss, especially if you feed your cat a raw meat diet. Commercial meats may also have different nutritional yields depending on the animal’s age, the cut of meat, and the source of the meat. Most vets consider a homemade diet somewhat risky due to the difficulty of adequately balancing the ingredients.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re feeding your cat a raw diet, there is a risk of food-borne illnesses being passed from your cat to your family. Immunocompromised, elderly, and very young people are especially at risk. Cats intended to be used as emotional support animals cannot be placed on a raw diet for legal reasons since they\u2019re often close to people who aren\u2019t healthy.<\/p>\n
Pros<\/div>
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\n- <\/i> Can be customized<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Many ingredients available to meet your cat\u2019s preferences<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Can be formulated through a board-certified veterinary nutritionist service<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Can meet the needs of many cats<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Good option for cats that like wet and meaty foods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Cons<\/div>
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\n- <\/i> Difficult to make on a budget<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Difficult to properly balance nutrients<\/li>\n
- <\/i> Safety risks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n