Introduction To Top Healthy Dry Cat Food Brands In UK

Healthy Dry Cat Food

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Cruse]Daniel Cruse

Collected below are 4 stories of cat owner's faith in dry cat food to facilitate a cat's happiness and physique. Each story discusses the healthy and life affirming benefits to a proper diet for a cat.

Healthy Dry Kitten Food

Food for a Kitten

Saturday morning, Karen's tenth birthday. All she talked about for months was getting a Tabby kitten. After weeks and weeks of attrition, her parents bought her a cat. But they quickly pointed out that the kitten was her responsibility, not theirs. It was not only Karen's job to love and play with the cat but to feed it properly.

As an astute young lady, she spent time researching what would be the best food for it. Karen started her little kitten on Iam's kitten food. It was nutrient rich with chicken that provided the appropriate amount of protein, encouraging muscle growth, proper digestion and a healthy coat. The cat food also helped promote a strong heart. Karen kept her beautiful Tabby kitten on the dry food for one year, guaranteeing it received all the benefits the food offered.

Iam's Active Health Weight Control

A Cat on a Diet

Celina worked and lived downtown. She had a wonderful new condo that she purchased after years of diligent work. At the end of a long day, she would come home and spend time with her cat. But the feline had a bit of a weight problem.

Being stuck on the 18th floor, it didn't get the exercise it needed. She tried several different cat foods before finding the right dietary supplement for her pet. Iam's Active Health Weight Control was made specifically for less-active cats. Unlike other cat foods that boast dietary control through increased fiber (consequentially resulting in frequent trips to the litter box), Iam's uses a nutrient rich, low calorie, mixture of carbohydrates that replaces 45% of the fat found in regular cat food. Concurrently, it contains a carefully measured amount of fiber that controls digestion without increased trips to the litter box. After a few months of using this food, Celina's cat was slimmer and more active than it ever was before.

Iam's Ocean Fish and Rice Dry Cat Food

A Pregnant Cat's Diet

Molly lived on a ranch in Northern California. She had a few cats that roamed the land, enjoying the sunshine and other pleasures of nature. One afternoon her cat came home pregnant. While Molly wasn't thrilled about her cat's situation, the only thing she could do was ensure it had a healthy pregnancy.

This was the second one of her cats to become a mother, and Molly knew how to handle the situation. She purchased a few bags of Iam's ocean fish and rice dry cat food. The ocean fish provided a flavor her cat loved and simultaneously boosted its intake of amino acids. The taurine in the acids helped sustain its vision and heart's strength. The low dietary magnesium helped keep her cat's immune system in tip-top shape. Ocean fish cat food is loaded with vitamin rich fish oil that controls digestion and keeps a cat's coat shining. All of these ingredients guaranteed a healthier and easier pregnancy for her pet. Molly planned to keep her cat on this food during the nursing period to pass these advantages to the kittens.

Frank landed a new job in Texas and bought a house in the suburbs of Houston. His three bedroom pad felt empty, so he bought a cat. There was plenty of room inside and out that kept the feline active and healthy. He bought Iam's lamb and rice food that provided a fantastic source of protein. Its essential nutrients boosted muscle tone and a healthy digestive system. His cat never had to deal with hair balls and stayed sleek and strong with this dry food.

It's important to know the needs of your cat before purchasing its food. All cat food manufacturers have unique recipes for a cat's specific needs. Pay careful attention to your cat's behavior and demeanor when trying new food to see what suits it best. Following these steps will let you enjoy many years with a happy and healthy cat.

Looking for a place to purchase healthy [http://www.petnetdirect.com/page/1/CTGY/CAT6]cat food from trusted brands? Check out Pet Net Direct for delivery on everything from [http://www.petnetdirect.com/page/1/CTGY/CDMerrick]Merrick cat food to cat litter to control odors.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Healthy-Dry-Cat-Food&id=2343035] Healthy Dry Cat Food

Click Here to Read More..

Cheap Cat Shopping UK - Why Your Cat Needs A Cat Tree

Cat Shopping UK

Why Your Cat Needs A Cat Tree

By Julie S. Montgomery

Every kid loves a tree house. Your cat is a like a child to you, so why wouldn't you want to give her the toy of her dreams? Cat trees, cat tree houses, kitty condos - they go by various names - but they all mean fun for kitty. They fill a cat's desire to sleep, scratch, claw, play and explore. They're usually easy to assemble and take up little space in a corner of your home or apartment.

The DareDevil Cat Tree

Sleep

How many times have you "lost" your cat inside your own home? They love to hide in tight, cozy, out-of-sight places. Often you find her in the same spot. A cat tree house will give her a place of her own. Many cat trees come with at least one "cabin", or enclosed sleeping area. Some come with hammocks or perches with edges for snoozing in the open. All are carpeted or covered in faux fur or faux fleece so they are cozy for your furry little friend. Some come with removable, washable plush beds or you can add one of your own.

Exercise and Play

Accessories like dangling mice, spring balls and hanging ropes provide hours of entertainment. Some tress with multiple levels, ladders and ramps are aptly labeled "kitty gyms." These are great for homes with multiple cats that love chasing each other and playing hide and seek.

Scratching

All cat tree houses come with scratching posts that double as the columns that hold the various platforms. Some have curvy slide-like scratching surfaces or scratching ramps. Most scratching surfaces are covered in sisal, however, some are covered in carpet. Whatever the size or shape of the scratching surfaces, cats love them and you'll love that your furniture is not the recipient of said scratching.

Features to consider

Cat trees can be as tall as eight feet so you'll want to measure you ceiling before buying or ordering. Some have tops that extend to a custom size and secure to your ceiling for stability. If this is the kind you prefer, look for one that attaches to ceiling with pressure. It will be much easier to install and will not require hardware or fasteners that damage the ceiling.

Faux fur-covered models come in a variety of colors and patterns including paw prints and leopard print. Carpeted models tend to stand up to wear better and are generally sold in neutral colors to match your decor.

Sturdier models of cat trees are available with larger platforms for fat felines or rambunctious kitties to prevent tipping. If your cat is older or has limited mobility you can find models with levels that are closer together and with horizontal scratching surfaces.

The Rocky Cat Tree

Where to Find Them

Basic models of [http://www.acecatfurniture.com/Cat-Trees]cat tree houses can be purchased at pet stores, but if you want to give your feline a little more to explore, you can find many models available from online stores that specialize in cat furniture. Ranging in price from $40 to $400 you're sure to find a model that's right for you, your cat and your space.

As a long-time pet owner, Julie is passionate about supporting animal health and wellness. As a board member of her local rescue league, she understands the value proper mental and physical stimulation offers indoor cats in particular. Julie's Siamese cats, Sissy and Missy, enjoy the indoor life thanks to cat towers and cat trees from Ace Cat Furniture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_S._Montgomery

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Your-Cat-Needs-A-Cat-Tree&id=5025220 Click Here to Read More..

Cheap Healthy Cat Food UK

Can Healthy Cat Food Contain Preservatives?

By Madeleine Innocent


In this day and age of the mighty dollar masquerading as king, it becomes more and more difficult to trust businesses who have a vested interest in gaining your sale. As cats can't talk to us, or perhaps I should say, as we can't hear what cats are telling us, we don't have that all important input to know if we are providing our cats with a healthy cat food.

If you do a quick search on the internet, you'll come across practically all pet food manufacturers proclaiming their brand is 'all natural', 'healthy', 'holistic', even 'organic', but in every single case they are selling dry food. Just think about it for a minute. Dried food which contains any form of meat just won't keep at room temperature. Try keeping your steak out of the refrigerator for a few days and see what happens.

So how do pet food manufacturers keep cat food indefinitely at room temperature? The only possible way to do this is to add preservatives. Despite many claims saying there are no preservatives, logic tells you there has to be.

Cooking in itself may preserve meat a little longer than raw meat, but not for weeks, or even years. So what, you may be thinking, I know there are preservatives in some of the foods I eat and I seem to be OK. Surely a few preservatives doesn't mean I'm not feeding my cat a healthy cat food?

I personally don't think any preservative is OK. It may appear to be harmless in the short term, but in the long term there will be consequences. But apart from my personal opinion, there are some laws, perhaps rather basic or not well enforced, in almost every country around the world, that protects human food. So all preservatives used in human food has to be considered 'reasonably safe' by some standards.

Unfortunately, there are no such safe guards in pet food. Or the laws are even less effectively enforced than the human laws. So the preservatives used in cat food can be the most toxic. Does cat food containing highly toxic preservatives sound like a healthy cat food to you?

Ever heard of formalin? Embalmers use it to preserve dead bodies. Formalin, also known as formaldehyde, is widely used in pet food to preserve it.

You probably haven't heard of ethoxyquin. That's a preservative used in the rubber industry. It's in the tyres of your car. So what on earth is it doing in your cat food? Lets look at ethoxyquin's history. When factory workers were exposed to it, they exhibited side effects similar to those of agent orange:

• constant diarrhoea
• vision disorders including blindness
• organ failure
• organ cancers
• leukaemia

Are you getting a bit concerned? Perhaps your cat is suffering from some kind of organ damage? Here are a few other common preservatives used in cat food to keep it at room temperature indefinitely;

• sodium nitrite, which gives a nice rosy colour to food and can produce powerful carcinogenic substances known as nitrosamines
• propyl gallate - is now suspected of causing liver damage
• propylene glycol used to maintain the right texture and moisture content is used as coolant antifreeze in engines
• up to 1000 times more salt than occurs naturally

No manufacturer can keep preservatives out of dry cat food if it has a long shelf life. So, if you don't feed your cat a commercial cat food, what can you feed her?

To my way of thinking, the only sure way of knowing you are providing a healthy cat food is to prepare it yourself. Before you throw your hands up in horror, saying you don't know how, you don't have time, that's where I come in.

I've done the research for a balanced, healthy cat food. I've made all the mistakes and can show how not to fall into the traps I did. By feeding your cat a healthy cat food, you'll have fewer trips to your veterinarian and your cat will live longer.

If you liked this article, then I invite you to sign up for my free, weekly ezine on how to improve your health and that of your family, including pets, naturally. Included is a complementary ebook on how to have a healthy cat, starting today. Visit http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Madeleine_Innocent

http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Healthy-Cat-Food-Contain-Preservatives?&id=1639642
Click Here to Read More..

Buy Cheap Cat Food UK

Finding the Right Cheap Cat Food

By Susan Amatoand Rick Amato



First of all you need to understand that a cats digestive system and nutritional needs are completely different from yours. They are also quite different from a dogs. Cats do not require carbohydrates and therefore choosing a cat food might be a little simpler than choosing a dog food. You want to look for natural ingredients and you need to have some kind of meat or fish. It is probably wise to rotate through poultry, fish and other meat-based foods. Other than that, cats should be getting taurine which is an essential amino acid and a variety of vitamins would also be good.

Iams Cat Natures Wellness Wholesome Chicken / Norwegian Salmon From £1.99

Instead of buying smaller amounts of a sub-standard brand you might want to either look for deals on brands that you like or try to buy in larger volumes. Most kinds of cat food whether canned or dry will last for a fairly long time so you can afford to stock up a little bit. Some people might think of dry food as a cheap choice but it is actually wise to have some on hand. You can leave it out if you are going to be gone for a long time and cats will eat just what they need.

Instead of simply looking for a cheap cat food, try looking for one that gives good value. If you read the label, it should mention the type of meat instead of simply the word 'meat'. You should also try to avoid products that mention that they have by-products in them. If you knew what these were, then you would not give them to your cat. A cheap cat food does not have to be something that is not appropriate for consumption.
For more information on cheap cat food, go to http://wellnesscatfoods.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Amato

http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-the-Right-Cheap-Cat-Food&id=3886741
Click Here to Read More..

Cat Supplies Cheap UK

Where To Get Cat Supplies Cheap In UK?

Here's a great list of cheap cat supplies in UK that cats LOVE!

Buy and pleasure your cat now... They'll love you for it!

• Frontline Spot On Cat, From £11.19 (highly-recommended by over 208 customers who bought this product to treat their cat for fleas, ticks and biting lice on cats <- Click here to read their reviews and buy)
• Kitten Care
• Cat Food (click here to buy branded cat foods on discount e.g. Royal Canin, Hills Prescription, Whiskas, Purina Gourmet, Ziwipeak, Sheba and much, much more!)
• Cat Bowls & Feeders - this includes cat bowls, cat drinking fountains, cat feeders, cat feeding extras, cat feeding mats and cat food storage (click here to for cheap cat bowls and feeders)

Catit Design Senses Play Circuit @ £10.20

• Cat Beds (Huge range of cheap cat beds On Sale Offer)
• Cat Litter Trays And Accessories (Click here to get 22% OFF Best-Selling Large Catit Hooded Litter Pan Now!)
• Cat Litter (click here to get a wide-range of cat litter on HUGE discounts e.g. Yesterdays News, Cats Best, World's Best Cat Litter, Catsan, Thomas Cat Litter, and much, much more...!)
• Cat Activity Centres - looking for cat trees, cat scratchers, kitty city? You can see these on discount here...
• Cat Carriers & Travel (click here for an affordable range of cat travel carriers)
• Cat Toys - Too many to list. Please click here to see a full range of inexpensive fun cat toys
• Cat Collars & Harnesses <- extremely cheap cat collars
• Cat Health (click here to see cat health products on sale e.g. cat flea and tick treatment, cat dental, cat supplements, cat dewormers, joint-aid, etc)
• Cat Flaps <<- click here for the best price on cat flaps by Cat Mate, Ferplast, Pet-Tek, PetPorte, Staywell and Sureflap Microchip Cat Flaps
• Cat Gift Ideas (Everyday is a good day to give our cats a present!) 
• Cat Grooming - beautiful cats need cat brushes, clippers, deshedding and shampoo
• Cheap Cat Hygiene Products
• Cat Bling
• Catnip and Catnip Toys

Click Here to Read More..

Canned Cat Food UK Article

Canned Cat Food Article

Why Cats Need Canned Food

By Jean Hofve, DVM


Cats are true carnivores, requiring a meat-based diet for optimal health. Their natural diet is prey such as rodents, lizards, insects, and birds. These prey consist primarily of water, protein and fat, with less than 10% carbohydrate (starch, sugar and fiber) content. Cats are exquisitely adapted to utilize fat and protein for energy. They are not at all like dogs and people, who are adapted to use carbohydrates for energy.

When feeding our companion cats, the most logical strategy is to feed the diet that most closely mimics the natural prey diet. A homemade diet is an excellent way to accomplish this, but it isn't always practical. Feeding more (or only) canned food is another way--one that is often easier for people to deal with. Canned foods are higher in fat and protein, and lower in carbohydrates, than dry foods. Their high water content increases the cat's overall fluid intake, which keeps the kidneys and bladder healthy. The higher fat contributes to skin and coat health. Because the ingredients are more easily digested and utilized by the cat's body, canned foods produce less solid waste in the litterbox--and who doesn't appreciate that?

Another feature of the cat's natural diet is variety. A hunting cat doesn't one day decide to eat only purple finches! He will eat any small prey he can catch: chickadees, mice, grasshoppers, robins, or rabbits. Likewise, we should feed our cats a variety of foods. Variety keeps cats from becoming finicky and food-addicted, lessens the chance of dietary excess or deficiency of any single nutrient, and may prevent the development of food intolerances, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease. Feeding the same dry food year after year greatly increases the risk of these problems. With canned food, it is easy to vary the flavors and protein sources.

Dry food typically contains 35-50% carbohydrates, mostly as starch. (The new "grain-free" foods may be as little as 20% carbohydrate). This is necessary because the equipment that makes dry food requires a high-starch, low-fat dough for proper processing. Cereal grains provide an inexpensive and plentiful source of calories, which allows manufacturers to produce foods containing adequate calories at an affordable price. A few dry foods provide less carbohydrates, in some cases substituting starchy vegetables and soy for cereal grains; but they are still heavily processed and just as dehydrating (if not more so) than regular dry food.

Adult cats need 2-3 times more protein than dogs. Yet dry cat foods generally supply only about 1/3 more protein than dry dog foods-about 30-35% in dry cat food compared to 20-26% for the average dry dog food. "Kidney" diets for cats in renal failure are even more restrictive with 26-28% protein (such diets should never be fed to normal cats; they will cause muscle wasting as the cat breaks down its own body for protein). Canned cat foods contain 45-50% protein, and canned kitten foods may contain up to 55% protein. (All percentages calculated on a dry matter basis.)

Cats are attracted to food that has a strong meat or fat flavor. Pet food manufacturers go to great lengths to make their starch-based dry foods palatable to cats. They may coat the kibbles with fat or with "animal digest," a powder made of chemically or enzymatically digested animal by-products. The result may be a cat who overeats, not because he's hungry, but because he loves the taste of the food and doesn't want to stop. (I think we've all been there!)

Dry food is very dehydrating. Our feline friends descend from desert-dwelling wild cats who are well adapted to limited water resources. Their ultra-efficient kidneys are able to extract most of their moisture needs from their prey. However, the end result is that cats have a very low thirst drive, and will not drink water until they are 3-5% dehydrated (a level at which, clinically, a veterinarian would administer fluid therapy). Cats eating only dry food take in only half the moisture of a cat eating only canned food. This chronic dehydration may be a factor in kidney disease, and is known to be a major contributor to bladder disease (crystals, stones, FUS, FLUTD, cystitis). Caution: adding water or milk to dry food does not solve the problem; and the fact that there are always bacteria on the surface of dry food means that adding moisture can result in massive bacterial growth--and a very upset tummy.

The high heat used in processing dry food damages (denatures) the proteins in the food. The resulting unnatural proteins may trigger an immune response that can lead to food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.

There is increasing evidence that carbohydrates (starches and sugars) in dry food are simply not metabolized well by many, if not most cats. While obesity is caused by many factors, the free-choice feeding of dry food to a relatively inactive cat is a major player. Obese cats are prone to joint problems, liver and kidney disease, and diabetes.

Recent research has shown that high-carbohydrate diets are to blame in most cases of feline diabetes. Many overweight cats are carbohydrate-intolerant, and should be fed low-carbohydrate diets (think "Catkins" diet!). This means canned food. Experts are now recommending canned kitten food as the primary treatment for diabetes. Many diabetic cats can decrease or even eliminate their need for insulin, simply by changing to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. Ultimately, canned food may be even more beneficial as a preventative for this devastating disease.

Overweight cats may greatly benefit from a switch to an all-canned diet. Any all life stages and kitten foods is fine, although you do get what you pay for, and quality is important. Most cats lose weight more efficiently on a canned food than dry food diet. Even though they're often eating more calories, these diets are much better suited to the unique feline metabolism.

If your cat is not used to eating canned food, add it to the diet slowly in small amounts. It is so different in composition from dry food that it may cause tummy upset at first.

If a cat won't eat canned food, it's usually because of a dry food addiction, or because he isn't hungry enough to try something new. Start by putting the cat on a meal-feeding schedule, leaving dry food out only an hour each, morning and night. Once he's accustomed to the schedule, put a little canned food down first. Most cats will be willing to try it at that point.

Dry food is a great convenience and may be necessary in some cases when the guardian is gone long hours or cannot feed on a regular schedule. But at least 50% of the diet (preferably 100% if you want to ensure optimum health!) should be a high-protein, high-moisture, low-carb diet such as canned or homemade food. Your cat will be healthier, and while you'll spend a little more on food up front, ultimately you'll save hundreds, if not thousands, on veterinary bills!

Dr. Jean Hofve is a retired holistic veterinarian with a special interest in nutrition and behavior. Her informational website, http://www.littlebigcat.com, features an extensive free article library on feline health and pet nutrition, as well as a free e-newsletter. Dr. Hofve founded Spirit Essences Holistic Remedies for Animals (www.spiritessence.com) in 1995; and it remains the only line of flower essence formulas designed by a veterinarian. She is a certified Medicine Woman within the Nemenhah Native American Traditional Organization who uses holistic remedies as a part of body-mind-spiritual healing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jean_Hofve,_DVM

http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Cats-Need-Canned-Food&id=2207479 Click Here to Read More..

Cheap Natural Cat Food UK DIY

Cheap Natural Cat Food UK - alternatives to dry cat food

Natural Cat Food - Do it Yourself Easily and Quickly
By Madeleine Innocent

In the last decades of the 20th century, people were generally hoodwinked into believing that processed and prepared food was better for your health and that of your pets.

Happily, people are now realising that this isn't the case. More and more people are looking for a healthy diet for themselves and their pets.

When you search for a healthy diet for your cat, you really can't go past natural cat food. Nature does know best, despite the clamouring of the pet food manufacturers. Of course they clamour - it's big business. But it doesn't mean that the clamouring is based on fact.

So how do you set about finding a natural cat food? You probably have certain criteria, such as:

• it must be easy as you're busy
• it must be nutritionally complete
• it must satisfy your cat mentally as well as physically
• it must be realistically priced

As the demand increases, businesses will spring up everywhere that offer natural pet food. Some will indeed do their utmost to fulfill this honestly, but sadly, there will always be others who will cut corners on quality and truly natural cat food.

Who do you trust?

The only person you can really trust, when it comes down to it, is you!

"But I don't have the expertise", I hear you say.

No, you may not now. But you can learn. And learn quite fast. All you need to do is to follow natural laws.

Lets look at a wild cat's diet first, as that's the most natural cat food there is. A cat will kill and immediately eat small animals up to about their own size. This can tell you 5 important facts:

5 Important Facts You Can Learn From Following A Wild Cat's Diet

1. The food is very fresh
2. The food is raw
3. The food is warm
4. The food contains bones
5. The food is mostly muscle meat and bones, but there are small amounts of offal [definition of offal = the edible, internal organs of an animal such as the heart, liver and kidneys]

I can hear questions forming in your mind...

• Can you really feed cats raw meat? 
• Doesn't that contain harmful bacteria or parasites? 
• Won't the bones splinter and pierce the intestinal tract?

You know, nature doesn't get things wrong. It's had a long time to perfect things. If the raw meat and bones in natural cat food created health problems, cats would have died out long ago. But we all know, that given the right conditions, wild or feral cat populations can grow very large.

So yes, raw meat is the healthiest and best natural cat food you can give your cat.
And no, raw bones won't create problems. It's cooked bones which can splinter and create all sorts of health issues. But cooked bones aren't natural, so it's logical that they have the potential to create mayhem.
And no, bacteria and worms are not a problem for cats.

So nature has got it right. Raw food is best?!

Of course, it's not that simple - nothing ever is, is it? You need to know the right balance, what to supplement and why, how many meals a day, what sort and size of bones are suitable, how to feed growing kittens and pregnant queens, how much offal and what kind, because you can get it wrong and then your cat can suffer the consequences.

And the big question on how to convert an adult cat to raw food - this can be quite a challenge. It's not dissimilar to the concept of raising your kids on fast food, then telling them it's all raw fruit and veggies from now on. You're likely to have a riot on your hands!

However, once you get the hang of doing it yourself, it's a doddle. And the best thing about it, is that the health of your cat will steadily improve to the best it's ever been. And the spin off from that is much lower health professional fees.

Don't you just love a win-win situation?

If you liked this article, then I invite you to sign up for my free, weekly ezine on how to improve your health and that of your family, including pets, naturally. Included is a complementary ebook on how to have a healthy cat, starting today. Visit http://www.naturallyhealthycats.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Madeleine_Innocent

http://EzineArticles.com/?Natural-Cat-Food---Do-it-Yourself-Easily-and-Quickly&id=1529809 Click Here to Read More..