Friskies dry cat food can go bad, so it’s important to check the expiration date. It’s also good to avoid chemical preservatives and dyes.
As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on a protein-based diet. Look for recipes with high quality meat as the first ingredient. Also be sure the recipe contains Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Prepare friskies dry cat food Step By Step
1. Check the Label
The most important step to making your own friskies dry cat food at home is to check the label. This will give you a good idea of what nutrients your cat’s diet is missing.
Look for a high-quality commercial pet food that is formulated by nutritionists and meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for your cat’s life stage. This will ensure that your cat is getting the proper protein, calcium/phosphorus and taurine content in her diet.
You should also check for animal proteins that come from recognizable sources. A good recipe should have poultry ingredients like chicken (muscle and organ meats), turkey and fish as well as beef or lamb (muscle and organ meats) to provide your cat with the appropriate levels of proteins for her diet. Meat by-products, grain fillers and wheat, corn or soy should be avoided as they are low-quality ingredients that do not meet your cat’s nutritional needs.
Another option is to purchase fresh, high-quality friskies dry cat food that is formulated by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and delivered to your doorstep in a month’s supply. Companies such as The Farmer’s Dog and Spot & Tango have been offering this service for some time now.
2. Add Water
When cats eat wet food, they get a lot of moisture from it. Normally, it is about 80% water and can help them to stay hydrated. However, if a cat only eats dry kibble, it may not get enough fluids to keep them healthy and prevent dehydration.
To help combat this, you can add a little water to your pet’s food. This can make it soft, making it easier for the cat to chew and digest. It also helps to make the kibble more appealing, which can help your cat to eat it more quickly and avoid getting indigestion.
It is important to only add filtered water to your pet’s food. This is because tap water may contain harmful chemicals that could be harmful to your pet. You should also only add just enough water to make the kibble wet. Too much water will dilute the kibble and cause it to lose nutrients.
Do not add milk, as most cats are lactose intolerant and it will likely cause them to have digestive issues. Instead, you can use chicken broth or another vegetable-based liquid to make the kibble wet. You can also add other ingredients like eggshell powder, which contains calcium and glycerin, to the kibble for added nutrition.
3. Mix It Up
It’s important to mix the food up thoroughly so your cat gets all of their vitamins and minerals in every bite. If you’re using a boneless meat, use the biggest mixing bowl you have so you can mix in the muscle meat and organs and ground up bone too. This step can be messy, but the extra effort will make a big difference to your cat’s health.
Felines are carnivores and a healthy diet requires lots of animal protein. If you’re making your own friskies dry cat food, try to prioritize proteins that come from recognizable sources like chicken (muscle and organ meat) or fish. Avoid foods with high levels of fillers or by-products, which are typically devoid of the nutrients found in higher-quality meats.
For the wet component, you’ll want to add fruits and vegetables. This will help your pet get the fiber they need to thrive. Adding fruits and veggies will also give your pet the fluids they need to stay hydrated. This is especially important if your cat is picky or has gastrointestinal issues. Be sure to gradually introduce the new wet food to your pet over the course of a week or so to prevent digestive issues.
4. Cook It
A homemade diet can reduce your cat’s exposure to artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors that have been linked to allergies. It also can help to ensure that a kitty gets enough moisture. A home cooked diet can even help aging or dental disease-prone chompers cope with the hardness of dry kibble.
When making homemade cat food, it’s important to remember that cats are obligate carnivores and need an animal protein-based diet. In the wild, a cat would likely consume fruits and veggies only as fiber sources. Moreover, the vitamins and minerals found in plant-based foods do not offer the same nutritional value as those from meat. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid any plant-based ingredients in a homemade feline diet.
Adding water to friskies dry cat food can help soften it and encourage hydration, but you can also add water-based supplements like chicken broth (without garlic or onion) or tuna ‘water’ to moisten kibble. Providing multiple drinking stations around the house can encourage fluid intake, too. Alternatively, some pet parents find success with using a water fountain to promote fluid uptake.
5. Moisten It
While cats can thrive on a dry diet, most prefer the taste and texture of canned food. It also allows them to eat smaller meals more often throughout the day and it can help them maintain a healthy weight.
However, many cats who eat wet foods may struggle to get all the nutrients they need from their diet. So, we recommend adding a small amount of wet food to their dry diet to provide them with essential vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, potassium and iron.
To moisten friskies dry cat food, simply add water or broth to their kibble and allow it to soak for a few minutes. This will soften the kibble and make it more palatable. For best results, we recommend using water that is filtered and not too hot.
You can also use gravy or sauces made specifically for cats to add moisture and flavor to dry food. Just be sure to use ingredients like chicken broth that are suitable for cats and avoid any added fats, sugar or salt as these can cause health issues in some cats.
6. Add Supplements
Cats are obligate carnivores and can only get the nutrients they need from animal proteins. This is why homemade recipes often call for a variety of meat sources.
But even with a good mix of meats, homemade recipes can fall short on some vitamins. When making your own food, it is important to add supplements to ensure your cat is getting everything she needs.
For example, if you are using chicken hearts, it is important to add taurine, as well. Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid that cats cannot synthesize and it’s found only in muscle meat.
Other helpful additions include fish oil (5,000 to 10,000 mg / day), kelp (a rich source of iodine), and pumpkin puree (rich in natural probiotics). You can also add 4 ounces of organic liver, a six-ounce can of sardines, or one chopped hard-boiled egg three times a week to add a variety of protein sources to the diet.
Be careful not to go overboard on the supplements or you may run the risk of creating a mineral imbalance in the diet. Always consult a veterinarian before adding any new foods to your pet. And always make sure your cat has plenty of water to drink on a daily basis.
7. Mix It Up
A homemade cat food diet can save you money over buying expensive commercial kibble. However, it is important to take precautions and make sure the food is cooked to a safe temperature before serving your furry family member.
A traditional homemade recipe usually uses a mix of different meats. These include muscle meat for protein, fats for energy and vitamin adsorption, organs for minerals and vitamins, skin and sinew for insoluble fiber, and bones for calcium and phosphorus. Homemade recipes also often contain fish and vegetable oils for Omega fatty acids.
Adding a bit of water to your cat’s dry food can help to soften the hard kibble. This can be especially helpful if you have a cat who gobbles her food down quickly, as it may slow her down a little and force her to chew. The addition of a bit of water can also provide your cat with extra hydration, which is important for her kidney health.
When you are preparing your cat’s food, mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, whisking them well. Then, add the wet ingredients to the bowl, whisking them well until they are evenly mixed. When you are done, bake the mixture in the oven as directed on the recipe, and then cool it before serving your feline friend.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Friskies dry cat food should be assessed based on individual feline nutritional needs and preferences. The ingredient list, with a focus on quality protein sources, is crucial for meeting a cat’s obligate carnivore requirements. Careful consideration of nutritional content, including a balanced mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, is essential for overall health. Minimizing artificial additives and relying on customer reviews can offer valuable insights. However, it is recommended to consult with a veterinarian for personalized guidance, ensuring that the chosen Friskies dry cat food aligns with the specific health and dietary requirements of each unique feline companion.
