| Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but | | | | for her, and create annoying begging behaviors. |
| that is usually a distortion of the truth. Cats have a | | | | I would always pick a meat-based cat food over a |
| very keen sense of taste and smell, and they know | | | | vegetable-based one. Despite the fact that you will |
| what they like. If you have fed your cat the same | | | | pay more for the meat food, if you are concerned |
| food for years, then change brands, she may | | | | about the health of your cat, this will be a cost |
| boycott the new menu. If you must change her diet, | | | | worth paying. And because meat-based products are |
| do it over time, mixing just a bit of the new food | | | | generally of better quality, your cat will be satisfied |
| with plenty of the old favorite. Slowly increase the | | | | with less of the quality cat food that she would be |
| amount of new food and decrease the old. | | | | with a lesser quality product. |
| Cats are creatures of habit. Your feline friend will feel | | | | Moist, or canned food is usually a favorite - the |
| more calm and comfortable if you feed her at the | | | | moisture amplifies the scent-but make sure your cat |
| same time each day. If more than one cat shares | | | | also eats dry food regularly. Leave a bowl of dry |
| your home, be sure that each has a food and water | | | | kibble out for your cat to snack on throughout the |
| bowl of its own. This lessens competition, | | | | day; the crunchy food helps clean her teeth. If you |
| territoriality, and ensures that everyone is getting | | | | do feed "wet" food, make it available for about 30 |
| their fair share of nutrition. | | | | minutes, and throw away the uneaten portion. This |
| Cats have unusual nutritional needs and you should | | | | teaches your cat to "get it while the getting is good." |
| check the labelling of your chosen cat foods to | | | | Never leave canned food in a dish all day long; it |
| ensure they are included, or consider nutritional | | | | attracts ants, cockroaches, and creates a bad habit in |
| supplements. These include: | | | | your cat. |
| * Vitamin A | | | | In addition to a bowl of dry kibble, make sure your |
| * Niacin | | | | cat has plenty of fresh water in a clean bowl. If your |
| * Essential Fatty Acids | | | | home is large, or has multiple levels, consider putting |
| * Taurine | | | | out more than one water bowl so that she always |
| The amount and frequency of food you put out | | | | has access to water and won't need to try |
| depends on the age, health, and activity level of your | | | | quenching her thirst via an "unsafe" supply. |
| cat. Kittens under 12 weeks of age usually need to | | | | Most people know that cats are carnivores, or meat |
| eat about four times each day. Adult cats benefit | | | | eaters, and are puzzled when their cats begin eating |
| from twice-a-day feedings. Read packaging labels or | | | | houseplants. This could be dangerous - some plants |
| ask your veterinarian for guidelines on how much | | | | are toxic. A plant-snacking cat may be trying to get |
| food your cat should eat each day. Don't panic if | | | | required minerals that might be lacking from the |
| your cat skips a meal, but if she doesn't eat for | | | | commercial food she eats. Give her access to a |
| more 48 hours, contact your vet. But, keep in mind | | | | planter pot of "cat grass" (available at pet supply |
| that if your cat is allowed to roam outdoors, she | | | | stores and garden centers), and she'll leave your |
| may be ruining her appetite at a neighbor's house. | | | | other plants alone. |
| Never feed your cat table scraps. They are unhealthy | | | | |