Top Tips for Cat Health: Nutrition, Wellness & Fun Facts Every Cat Parent Should Know

Cats may be independent by nature, but their health and happiness depend heavily on thoughtful care from their humans. From proper nutrition and hydration to mental enrichment and routine wellness, small daily choices can make a big difference in your cat’s quality of life. Whether you’re a seasoned cat parent or welcoming a new feline family member for the first time, understanding the essentials of cat health will help your kitty thrive at every stage.

Let’s dive into the top tips for cat health, including of course how high-quality cat treats like Farm to Pet Crumbles can play a positive role in your cat’s healthy lifestyle.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to get nutrients primarily from animal protein like chicken, turkey, beef and fish. Unlike humans, cats cannot thrive on plant-based diets alone and require specific nutrients and amino acids that are naturally and exclusively found in meat.

Key Nutritional Requirements for Cats

A healthy feline diet should include:

• High-quality animal protein to support muscles, organs, and immune health
• Taurine, an essential amino acid crucial for heart health, vision, and digestion
• Healthy fats for energy, skin health, and a shiny coat
• Minimal carbohydrates, since cats have limited ability to process them
• Moisture, either through wet food or supplemental hydration

Fun Cat Health Fact: Cats lack taste receptors for sweetness, so they’re much more interested in the savory, meaty flavor known as “umami” than sugary treats!

When choosing food and treats, always read ingredient labels. Fewer ingredients and recognizable protein sources are best, not only for cat nutrition but also for sensitive feline stomachs.

Treats should enhance your cat’s diet, not detract from it. While many commercial treats are loaded with fillers, artificial flavors, and unnecessary carbohydrates, healthy cat treats actually support nutrition and enrichment.

How Farm to Pet Treats Fit into a Healthy Cat Diet

Farm to Pet Crumbles cat treats are an excellent choice for cat parents who want clean, lean snacks appropriate for a feline constitution. Made with single-ingredient, human-grade proteins, our cat treats are a paw-fect match for a cat’s natural dietary needs.

Why Farm to Pet Is Cat-Friendly:

• Single-ingredient proteins like chicken, turkey, beef, or fish
• No fillers, grains, preservatives, or artificial additives
• Gently dehydrated to retain nutrients and flavor
• Suitable for cats with sensitive tummies or picky palates

What’s more, our cat treats can be used in multiple ways:

• Added to meals as a crunchy protein-rich food topper
• Used in enrichment toys, games or puzzle feeders
• Soothing distraction during grooming or vet visits
• As high-value rewards for positive behaviors (yes, cats can be trained, too!)
• Healthy human-feline bonding time

Fun Cat Health Fact: A cat’s sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than a human’s, which is why high-quality, aromatic treats are especially appealing.

As a rule, cat treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories. However, many of us aren’t sure how many calories our cats should have a day. This handy cat calorie calculator can give cat parents a quick idea of the appropriate daily caloric intake for cats based on size and condition.

Cats are notoriously poor drinkers, largely because their ancestors evolved in desert environments. It’s up to us cat parents to ensure cats have easy access to fresh water and get sufficient hydration, since chronic dehydration can contribute to urinary tract issues, kidney disease, and digestive problems in cats.

Tips to Encourage Better Hydration for Cats

• Offer wet or moisture-rich food regularly
• Try a cat water fountain to encourage drinking
• Place water bowls in multiple quiet locations
• Add warm water or cat-safe bone broth to meals

Fun Cat Health Fact: Cats prefer running water because it instinctively signals freshness and safety.

As cat lifestyles have evolved from hunting for food to the comforts of housecat living, many cats are sadly now overweight. In fact, obesity and overweight are the most common health issues in domestic cats and can lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and reduced lifespan. If your cat exhibits signs of overweight, here’s how to get him back on the right track.

How to Support Healthy Weight

• Measure meals instead of free-feeding
• Use treats intentionally, not automatically
• Incorporate play and movement into daily life
• Choose protein-forward cat foods and treats

Farm to Pet cat treats are naturally lean and protein-dense, making them a smarter choice than carb-heavy snacks when used in moderation.

Fun Cat Health Fact: A healthy cat should have a visible waistline when viewed from above, and you should be able to feel, but not see, their ribs.

Cats may sleep up to 16 hours a day, but mental stimulation is still essential. Boredom can lead to stress, destructive behavior, or overeating in many species – even humans! Ensure your kitty gets sufficient stimulation with these ideas.

Enrichment Ideas for Cats

• Puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys – using only healthy cat treats
• Window perches for bird-watching
• Rotating toys to keep things “new”
• Interactive play with wand toys or lasers

Using treats during enrichment activities allows your cat to engage their natural hunting instincts while earning a reward.

Fun Cat Health Fact: Just 10-15 minutes of interactive play can significantly reduce stress, improve condition and encourage good behavior in indoor cats.

Regular grooming isn’t just about keeping fur pretty. It supports skin health, reduces hairballs, and helps you spot issues early.

Healthy Grooming Habits

• Brush short-haired cats weekly; long-haired cats daily
• Check ears, teeth, and nails regularly
• Reward grooming sessions with a favorite Farm to Pet cat treat

High-protein diets also support healthy skin and coats from the inside out.

Fun Cat Health Fact: Cats spend up to 50% of their waking hours grooming themselves – it provides both hygiene and stress relief.

Even indoor cats need regular checkups. Cats are masters at hiding illness, so preventive care is key.

Wellness Essentials

• Annual or bi-annual vet visits
• Dental checks (dental disease is extremely common)
• Vaccinations and parasite prevention
• Monitoring changes in appetite, behavior, or litter box habits

Using positive reinforcement like a nutritious cat treat can make carriers, vet visits, and handling less stressful for feline fur-riends.

Fun Cat Health Fact: A cat’s purr vibrates at a frequency believed to promote healing and reduce stress for both cats and humans.

Just like with humans, stress can negatively affect digestion, immunity, and behavior in our cats. A predictable, enriching home environment goes a long way toward better cat health.

Stress-Reducing Tips

• Provide vertical space (cat trees, shelves)
• Maintain consistent routines
• Offer safe hiding spots
• Avoid sudden changes when possible

Treat-based enrichment using familiar, trusted cat foods and cat treats can help ease stressful situations as well as build confidence.

A kitten’s needs differ from those of an adult or senior cat, so be sure to adjust nutrition, treats, and activity levels as your cat ages.

• Kittens: higher protein needs, frequent meals
• Adults: balanced maintenance and enrichment
• Seniors: easily digestible proteins, joint support, gentle play

Single-ingredient treats are especially helpful for senior cats with sensitive tummies.

Fun Cat Health Fact: The world’s oldest cat lived to be 38 years old!

Properly supporting cat health doesn’t require perfection, but rather mindful, consistent choices. From feeding high-quality, protein-rich foods to using clean, simple cat treats like Farm to Pet Crumbles for enrichment and rewards, every good decision we make for our cat’s nutrition can contribute to a happier, healthier life.

Cats may like their independence, but our furry felines rely on us to provide the nutrition, stimulation, care and attention they need to thrive. With the right balance of wholesome food, purposeful treats, play, and love, our kitty companions can enjoy many vibrant years by our sides.