FOUR TIPS FOR FEEDING CATS

Provided by: 4 Tips for Feeding Fluffy

Cats are unique creatures in many ways, including their eating habits. The following four tips will help you provide your cat with the best nutritional outcome possible.

Cats Are Not Small Dogs

Although many pet parents own dogs and cats together, they do not treat them the same way when it comes to dinner time. In fact, cats are anything but the type of animal who will sit and eat a large meal at one sitting, unlike a dog. Cats are natural grazers and instead of eating one or two large meals a day, like a dog would, they tend to graze on many small meals throughout the day.
A great way to keep control of the amount of food kitty is eating, to prevent weight gain, is to feed a premeasured daily amount of food as per manufacturer’s directions. This will allow your cat to graze throughout the day without overdoing it.
Cats also require food that is made specifically for them as they require a very unique nutrient, which dogs do not, called Taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that cats require in their diet as they can’t synthesize it on their own. Taurine deficiency can lead to eye and heart trouble.

Fresh Water Is a Must

Although cats are not the biggest water drinkers they should be encouraged, as much as possible, to consume water. Water helps to prevent and minimize urinary tract problems as it helps to flush out the urinary tract. Cats in general prefer cold, fresh water and if you really want to encourage your cat to drink water a kitty water fountain will peak their interest. Pet parents who feed dry food may notice their cats drink more water than those who eat canned foods as the canned food eaters get more moisture in their diet from their food source.

Cats Are Picky About the Dishes They Eat From

A cats whiskers are very sensitive and because of this a cat may go on hunger strike if they can`t get to the food in their dish without their whiskers getting in the way. A shallow, wide dish is the best option for feeding cats as it allows them to eat their food with little interference by their whiskers.
When choosing a dish to feed Fluffy from, consider stainless steel or ceramic. Some cats will have a reaction to plastic dishes which can result in feline acne, an irritating pimple like rash on their chin.

Cats Imprint on Food

It is important to expose cats, at a young age while they are developing, to the textures of both dry and canned foods. At a very young age a cat will imprint on both the taste and texture of food creating what people often refer to as a `finicky cat`. Once they imprint on a certain type of food it is often a long process to switch them to something else. In the future, should they need a particular diet for health reasons, they won’t be as reluctant to eat it having had previous exposure. Having said this it can take up to 45 days to completely switch a cat to a new diet and have then readily accept it. Patience and perseverance is the key to switching your cat to a new food.