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What You Should Know About Changing Your Cat’s Diet
What You Should Know About Changing Your Cat’s Diet

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How Wheat Is Used in Our Cat Foods

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Why Use Wheat in Cat Food?

Wheat is a grain used as a high-quality carbohydrate source in dry cat foods. It provides energy for daily activity, as well as processing characteristics for the food. IAMS™ research has shown that including wheat in a complete and balanced diet resulted in a moderate glycemic response in dogs and cats, lower in general than that observed when a rice-based diet was fed.1,2

 

Misconception About Cat Food Allergies

A common misconception is that feeding wheat causes food allergies. Here are the facts:

  • The cat must have a hypersensitivity to the food or ingredient. It is an adverse reaction of an individual animal to proteins in the diet.
  • Food allergies are rare in animals and account for a very low percentage of allergic reactions in cats.
  • If your cat has a food allergy, he is most likely allergic to one ingredient or a combination of ingredients in his diet.

 

1 Sunvold GD. The role of novel nutrients in managing obesity. In: Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Vol II: 1998 IAMS Nutrition Symposium Proceedings. Carey DP, Norton SA, Bolser SM, eds. Wilmington, OH: Orange Frazer Press, 1998; 123-133.

 

2 Bouchard GF. Effect of dietary carbohydrate source on posprandial plasma glucose and insulin concentration in cats. In: Recent Advances in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Vol III: 2000 IAMS Nutrition Symposium Proceedings. Reinhart GA, Carey DP eds. Wilmington, OH: Orange Frazer Press, 2000; 91-101.

 

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    Senior Cat Nutrition Facts and Fixes

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    So, your baby's not a baby anymore.

    You remember the first time you met like it was yesterday, but lately you find yourself wondering if your cat has entered the golden years.

     

    Here are some things to know about senior cats, including signs they’re ageing and ways to alter their diets to keep them going strong.

     

    Cats reach their senior years around age 11.

    Gasp!

    Is my baby ... old?

     

    But older cats are kinda like older people

    A 12-year-old cat is equivalent to a 64-year-old human.

    This 64-year-old

    ran a marathon,

    so you never

    know.

     

    Don't worry; it's normal.

    Just like people, cats often show signs that they're getting older:

    • Decreased activity

    • Joint weakness

    • A picky palate

    • Confused by the internet

     

    A complete and balanced diet is important, whether or not your cat has underlying health issues.

     

    Reasons to change a senior cat's diet:

     

    1. Obesity

    We get it. Indoor cats have less opportunity to exercise than outdoor cats. Just don’t let those calories add up to unwanted pounds.

    10 extra calories a day = up to 1 pound a year.

     

    2. Underweight

    Picky eating in older age often comes from a reduced ability to taste and smell. Cats 14 years and older are 15 times more likely to be too skinny.

    So make sure you’re feeding your cat a food that’s high in calorie density and as tasty as possible.

     

    3. Heart Disease

    Senior cats with heart disease may need a special veterinarian-prescribed food.

     

    4. Kidney Disease

    Senior cats with kidney issues may need veterinarian-prescribed food that's lower in potassium and protein.

     

    5. Diabetes

    Cats with diabetes may need to eat a special veterinarian-prescribed diet.

     

    6. Dental Issues

    Consider adding dry food to your cat’s diet which can help remove plaque buildup.

     

    Bring on the meat!

    All adults cats, regardless of age, should be fed a carnivorous diet.

    An animal-based protein should be the first ingredient on any cat food label.

     

    What about supplements?

    Good news: You don’t have to worry about providing additional supplements when you choose IAMS™. All foods are nutritionally complete and balanced.

     

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