Feeding a cat can be a tricky affair. Our
feline friends can sometimes be a bit picky about their food and may exhibit odd
eating habits. By changing
some of your feline feeding habits, you can improve or maintain your kitty’s nutritional
needs and help reduce her risk of becoming one of the estimated 58
percent of cats in the U.S. who are overweight or obese.
From putting your cat on a vegan diet to changing her diet too quickly, we rounded up common feeding mistakes you could be
making — and how to fix them.
You leave your cat’s food out all the time.
Do you free-feed your cat? It’s the practice of
filling a feline’s food bowl and letting her eat it whenever she wants.
Then, when the bowl is empty, you fill it again. This can be problematic. When your cat's bowl is always full of food, she may overeat. That can lead to obesity
and diabetes. Measuring her food and having several scheduled mealtimes per day are better ways to feed your cat. Or, try
feeding her with food puzzles. Talk to your veterinarian about how much your cat needs to eat.
You feed her a vegan diet.
Whatever your reasons for not eating meat, you shouldn't subject your cat to a vegan diet. In order to maintain their health, cats
must have meat. They are obligate carnivores and their digestive tracts aren't ideally designed for digesting non-meat food. Plus, they need significantly more protein
than dogs and humans. Your kitty will likely turn her nose up at a
vegan meal anyway. If you’re still not convinced, read Dr. Patty Khuly’s take
on the issue.
You’re not creating an optimal eating environment.
If your kitty is finicky about her food, you’ll need
to get her checked by a veterinarian to rule out if it’s because of a medical condition. If that’s not the case,
then her eating surroundings might not be up to par. She may feel threatened by
other pets, noises from appliances or too many people walking by as she eats.
Dr. Tony Buffington suggests finding a safe, quiet area in your home where your
cat can eat undisturbed. If she still isn't eating, try
these three appetite-whetting tricks for mealtime.
You give her too many treats.
Cat treats may be small, but they're filled with
calories. And consuming extra calories can lead to weight gain and obesity. If
your kitty demands a treat, be smart about it: make her work for it by throwing
it across the room or putting it in a food puzzle. Or, better yet, redirect her
begging behavior to another activity such as a game or petting session.
You let her drink milk.
The idea of a kitty lapping up milk from a saucer may
sound cute and healthy, but it’s not. Some cats are lactose intolerant
and have trouble digesting milk. Plus, milk has a lot of calories and could
cause your kitty to gain weight. So it’s probably best to avoid giving her
the white stuff all together. That’s not the only human treat you shouldn’t
give felines; these 5 other foods can be dangerous for cats.
You’re feeding her the wrong food for her life stage and lifestyle.
When you give your cat food, you need to account for her age
and activity level. If she’s a kitten, she probably should be
slowly introduced to a variety of foods so she doesn’t grow up to be a finicky
eater. If she’s a senior, you’ll need to monitor her waistline, as some older
cats can have a hard time keeping weight on. You’ll also need to make sure she’s
drinking enough water. It's important to talk to your veterinarian about what diet might be best for your cat based on her age, health status and body condition. Learn more about life stage and lifestyle nutrition.
You’re changing her diet too quickly.
It may seem like a good idea to help your cat lose
weight by reducing the quantity of her food or changing the food she eats. But reducing the quantity of food could lead to hepatic lipidosis, a
potentially fatal liver condition, and sudden food changes can result in vomiting and/or diarrhea. If you’re going to make a change to her
diet, do it gradually and consult your veterinarian for guidance.
