Cat Blog 11a
What do I feed my cat?
For the next few weeks we’ll be chatting about how to care for our own pet cats. And of course the question ‘What do I feed my cat?’ is one of the most important we need to talk about.
Fortunately, it’s actually quite simple: Ensure that you feed your kittens or cats one of the balanced, nutritional and tasty dry cat foods that are supplied by our vets. This will meet all your pet’s nutritional needs, and will ensure that he or she enjoys a long and healthy life. Although these foods seem expensive, smaller amounts are needed compared with supermarket brands. And since these foods will keep our pets healthier, you will save on vets’ bills in the long run. Brand names that are recommended in South Africa are for example Royal Canin, Iams and Hill’s Science Diet. But if you would prefer to feed your pet a vegan diet, don’t be concerned. According to a top veterinary specialist physician I consulted, this is completely feasible. The important thing is that you do your homework well, and that you make sure your pet receives the correct kind of protein.
Also ensure that your kitten or cat always has fresh water. If you would like to give your pet treats, keep them small. And keep in mind that fish or dairy milk can give cats, especially kittens, diarrhoea.
Dry food or wet food?
The vets I’ve asked this question of all seem to agree: Feed your pet good quality dry food as a staple, and give her or him a little wet food once a day as a treat.
Scheduled feeding versus free-choice feeding
You’ve probably also often wondered whether free feeding is bad for your special feline. It seems the answer is that it depends on your cat. If your cat can regulate his or her food intake throughout the day, they can maintain a healthy body weight even when food is always available.
‘Many cats, however, benefit from a more structured feeding schedule, particularly cats on a wet or mixed food diet, those that are prone to overeating or those in households with multiple cats with differing nutritional needs. A cat’s feeding schedule can be divided into two, three or four meals spread across the day — whatever works best for your schedule. Just divide your cat’s daily amount of food into the number of meals you choose, and don’t go more than 12 hours between feeding times to help avoid upsetting your cat’s stomach’ (https://www.iams.com/cat/cat-articles/understanding-your-cats-eating-habits).
How do I change my cats’ brand of food?
Make sure that you introduce the new food very gradually by initially mixing very small amounts in with their existing food. Then gradually, over a matter of about a week to ten days, increase the proportions until you’re feeding only the new food. It’s also a good idea to pre-mix the food and keep the mixture in a container for a day or two. This will ensure that the new food takes on the smell of the old food. But the more slowly you do it, the better, else there is a chance your cat will reject the new food.
What foods should I not feed?
Don’t feed your pet dogfood, as it doesn’t contain all the nutrients she or he needs. Also be cautious of feeding human food, as not all human food will agree with your cat. And any additional food besides good quality cat food could disturb the balance of nutrients your cat needs.
What foods are toxic to my pet?
Daily Paws provides an extensive list. Check it out at: https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-nutrition/what-can-cats-eat/foods-toxic-to-cats
What do I do if my cat won’t eat?
I think every human cat companion worries when his or her cat suddenly stops eating. We know that this is probably not a good sign, and we fret about what could be causing it.
Your cat’s hunger strike could have a number of different causes, including health problems, anxiety, hair balls or other foreign objects – or the food itself.
You’ll find a good deal of insightful information at https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-nutrition/cat-food/cat-not-eating. Here’s wishing you simple solutions to all your cat food problems!
Feel free to send me your questions and queries, either as a comment to this blog or to anneke@ncat.co.za. And here’s wishing you solutions to all your cat food problems!
See Cat Blog 2b at https://iamcat.blog/feral-cats-how-can-i-help-them-continued/ on how to feed community (feral) cats.
Cat fact of the week
Cats have over 400 taste buds, but none for sweetness.
Cat quote of the week
Way down deep, we’re all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them.
Jim Davis
Cat Story 16: For all the rescuers out there
This week I want to honour every single person who rescues cats in any way: the caregivers, the trappers, the fosterers, the sanctuary owners, the homers, the letter writers, the street protesters – and of course the wonderful vets and their teams. And I would like to do it by quoting this wonderful piece that someone Whatsapped me this week.
To Love A Rescuer
Author unknown
To love a rescuer, you must love all of them. You must love the scars covering their body from panicked and hurt animals they were trying to help. You must love their fractured heart, that has been broken so many times they no longer even take the time to mend the pieces.
To love a rescuer, you must embrace their grit and determination, and know that although they fight a war they can never win, they can and do win a few battles. You must love the tears they will shed over those they lost. You must give them comfort that they refuse to accept, as they blame themselves for things they could have never foreseen.
To love a rescuer, you must acknowledge the rage they feel towards the world at times, and know that anger is driven by a love of life too few have. You must give them space and room to cry and mourn for the losses that others have caused out of carelessness or cruelty.
To love a rescuer, you must understand their passion to heal and save is a calling, not a choice. You must accept that to save animals is part of their soul and without that they could never be happy.
To love a rescuer, you must be patient. You must accept their work comes first. They will forgo sleep, forgo food, forgo their life for animals in need. They will work tirelessly until their body and mind fail them completely and they cannot go on.
To love a rescuer, you must be strong. You must not be threatened by their focus and love of animals. You must accept that the things you love about them, the strength and convictions and loyalty, are also what drives their sense of duty to animals in need; you cannot have one without the other.”