Nutrition & Diet

Feeding a Nursing Mother Cat: Birth Through Weaning

The day kittens arrive, your mother cat becomes a tiny, furry dairy farm. Lactation is one of the most energy-demanding jobs a cat’s body will ever do, and nutrition can make the difference between a thriving litter and a stressed, depleted queen. Below is exactly how I approach feeding nursing...

British Shorthair Weight Management

British Shorthairs are famous for that teddy-bear build: broad chest, thick neck, sturdy legs, and a round face you want to kiss all day. The tricky part is that their naturally “cobby” body type can make extra weight easy to miss until it starts affecting comfort, grooming, and long-term health. I...

Feeding Guide for Sphynx Cats

Sphynx cats have a reputation for two things: being little heat-seeking cuddle bugs and acting like they are hungry all the time . In most homes, that second part is not a personality flaw. It is biology, plus a bit of cat theatrics. Sphynx cats are not truly hairless (most have a fine peach-fuzz...

Do Cats Need Vitamins?

If you have ever stood in the pet store aisle staring at “immune support,” “skin and coat,” and “calming” chews, you are not alone. Supplements are everywhere, and they can sound so reassuring, especially when you are trying to do right by a picky eater , a senior cat , or a rescued kitty with a...

Diet Changes That Help Prevent Urinary Tract Issues in Cats

If you have ever watched a cat strain in the litter box, cry out, or make repeated trips with little to show for it, you know how scary urinary tract issues can be. I have fostered plenty of cats who came in with urinary discomfort, and one thing is consistently true: diet is not the whole story,...

Kitten Nutrition 101: Feeding Schedule From Weaning to 1 Year

Kittens grow at an almost rude speed. One week they are wobbling around a playpen, the next they are scaling your curtains like they pay rent. That growth takes fuel, and the right feeding routine does more than build a strong body. It supports brain development, a steady digestive system, and even...

Feeding Senior Cats

If you live with a senior cat, you have probably noticed the “little” changes first: a nap that lasts longer, a jump that looks more carefully calculated, a coat that needs more grooming help, or a suddenly picky appetite. Nutrition cannot stop the clock, but it can make those golden years far more...

Raw Food Diets for Cats: Pros, Cons, and Safety

I have a soft spot for nutrition rabbit holes, and raw feeding is one of the biggest ones in cat care. Some cat parents swear their cat’s coat got glossier overnight. (For what it’s worth, true coat changes usually show up over weeks, not hours, because skin and fur need time to respond.) Others...

Grain-Free Cat Food: Is It Really Necessary?

If you have ever stood in the pet food aisle holding two nearly identical bags, one labeled grain-free and one not, you are not alone. As a foster coordinator and behavior consultant, I have watched well-meaning cat parents switch foods because grain-free feels like the safer, more natural choice....

7 Proven Strategies to Get a Picky Cat to Eat Their Food

If you live with a picky cat, you already know how personal they can make mealtime feel. One day they inhale a food like it is the best thing that has ever happened to them, and the next day they look at it like you served them a sock. Before we jump into the fixes, one safety note from years of...

15 Human Foods Safe for Cats (and 10 to Avoid)

If you have ever cooked dinner with a cat supervising from the kitchen floor, you have probably wondered: Can I share a little? I get it. Clementine stares at me like I owe her a tax for opening a can of tuna, and Waffles would sell my soul for a bite of scrambled egg. The good news: a handful of...

Transition Your Cat to a New Diet in 7 Days

Switching cat food sounds simple until you’re staring at a full bowl, a judgmental tail flick, and a surprise hairball on the rug. I get it. Whether you’re moving to a higher-quality diet, managing allergies, or your cat has decided their old food is “beneath them,” the goal is the same: change...

Cat Food Allergies: Symptoms and Elimination Diets

If you have a cat who seems itchy year-round, gets ear infections on repeat, or has a stomach that never quite settles, it is natural to wonder if food is the culprit. I have fostered plenty of cats who were labeled “allergic to everything” when the real issue was more specific, and much more...

Wet vs. Dry Cat Food

Few nutrition debates spark as many strong opinions as wet versus dry cat food. I get it. You want to feed your cat well, keep them hydrated, protect their teeth, and not feel like you are playing “guess what will get eaten today” at every meal. Here is the honest answer: there is no single “best”...

Help Your Indoor Cat Lose Weight Safely

If your indoor cat is getting a little too round, you are not alone. I have met plenty of beloved couch potatoes in rescue and foster homes, and the good news is that safe, steady weight loss is absolutely doable. The key is to approach it like a gentle lifestyle change, not a crash diet. Cats are...