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I've just adopted a three-year-old male tabby named Oscar from an animal shelter. He was a malnourished stray, kept at a foster home until he was healthy enough to be adopted. Now that he's with me, I want to make sure he eats only the best food. He seems willing to try anything but there are so many cat foods available, I'm not certain which is best for him. Any suggestions?

Dawn

Dear Dawn,

Lucky Oscar. He's obviously found a wonderful new home with you. I sympathize when a doting owner is overwhelmed by the claims made by pet food manufacturers.

Fats, proteins, vitamin supplements, preservatives, grains ... it's a jungle out there.

We humans are so aware of the food we put into our own bodies, it's understandable that we're now turning our attention to the dietary needs of our animal companions. And as the pet food industry continues to keep pace with our concerns, our choices become even more daunting. Confusing? You bet.

My first suggestion is to take Oscar to your veterinarian for a complete checkup if you haven't done so already.

If Oscar is in good physical condition and veterinary blood tests show his organ are functioning normally, he's probably clear to try just about any type of food whether canned, kibble, pouched, home-cooked or raw.

However, should your veterinarian discover medical issues such as allergies or possible concerns with urinary tract, kidney, heart, liver or is diabetic, underweight or overweight (just to name a few), he or she may suggest a special diet.

With Oscar's history of malnutrition, your vet may also suggest specific dietary supplements or a diet including additional vitamins and minerals.

When Oscar is given a clean bill of health, ask your veterinarian to recommend a commercial cat food or, if you plan to home-cook or feed raw, ask your vet's help in designing a meal plan to keep him in tip-top condition.

A happy, well-fed cat has a healthy coat and skin, clear eyes, clean ears and lots of energy. As an animal ages or medical issues come into play, we need to re-think their dietary needs but, for now, it sounds as if Oscar just needs a sound diet that he finds palatable.

Those of us with finicky cats often find ourselves with a refrigerator packed with half-empty cans of cat food.

Unlike dogs who can often be cajoled into eating just about anything, many cats stage a hunger strike until we feed them exactly what they want.

Frustration reigns when a caring pet owner tries to feed a healthy diet but the cat holds out for the cheapest (and possibly poorest quality) cat food on the market.

It's similar to giving a human child the choice of a bowl of spinach or a candy bar. You'll need to find a balance that's suitable to both you and Oscar. And, when Oscar gets bored with his food, you'll want to change it on occasion. To avoid tummy upsets, mix the new food in with the old, gradually adding more of the new food over a period of a few days.

Reading pet food labels can be confusing but there are a few points to consider.

The ingredients list is organized according to weight. If meat (chicken, beef, tuna) is listed as the first ingredient, that's the component that outweighs the others.

But it doesn't mean it represents a hefty portion. Remaining ingredients may include, for example, ground corn, wheat flour, corn gluten and ground wheat plus a listing of preservatives and additives with names only a chemist can pronounce. These aren't necessarily unwanted or unhealthy ingredients but they may represent a higher proportion of filler or additives that you aren't expecting. Generally, you get what you pay for.

Finally, you may have heard that the first ingredient should be a type of meat (chicken, beef, tuna) while avoiding the term "meat byproduct." If it is labeled "meat," it's the flesh of slaughtered animals and can include skeletal muscle, heart, overlying fat and skin, nerves and anything else normally found within that flesh. Meat byproducts do not include meat but may contain kidney, brain, liver, bone, stomach and any other non-flesh parts of the animal.

Your veterinarian is your best source for further information about Oscar's dietary needs. I hope you and Oscar enjoy a happy, healthy, well-fed life together.

E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.