Feeding
General
Feeding
Your
cat needs to be fed a quality cat food and fresh water everyday. You
should consult with your veterinarian to decide how often to
provide food and in what quantities.
Cats
are considered kittens up until they are one year old and they
need dry kitten food available to them at all times. They
eat little bits of food at a time and need more food than adults
do. When your cat reaches one year of age, he should be
put on an eating schedule. He should be provided with food two
to three times a day and should consist of both dry and wet food
(comes in a can or foil packet). Please read this
article on why wet food is so important for cats.
If
your cat tends to throw up after eating, you should not only
experiment with brands but with flavors, too. One of our cats
threw up a lot after eating - we finally figured out it was only
after eating any type of product with beef in it. Cats
can have food allergies too, not just humans. If you suspect
your cat has a food allergy, watch their diet more carefully
and note what you are feeding them. If you still can't
figure it out, speak with your veterinarian.
Obesity
in cats should be avoided. This starts by being educated
on feeding. This
article from Little Big Cat does a great job of explaining
feline obesity (which can lead to health problems later in life).
Food
should be kept in a quiet area out of the way of household traffic
so that your cat can enjoy a private meal with no interruptions. The
area should always be kept clean and bowls should be cleaned
frequently. To avoid whisker stress (pressure put on whiskers,
pushing them up against the face and causing discomfort), a larger
bowl with shallow sides should be chosen for both food and water
dishes. Metal or glass dishes should always be used over
plastic dishes, which could result in feline
acne.
 |
Trudeau
Stainless Steel Bowls
Price: $11.99 (5") at www.epetpals.com
Similar
bowls are also sold at Target and other pet stores in
a variety of sizes. These are great because they
are wide and shallow, bottom heavy, and some have a rubber
grip around the bottom so they won't slide. |
 |
Ceramic
Pawprint Bowls
Price: $6.00 (6") at Petsmart
Ceramic
bowls are great because they are heavy, causing less
spillage and sliding. This bowl has a wide opening
and an attractive pawprint pattern, which can be paired
with an attractive food mat. This particular bowl
can only be hand washed but others can be put through
the dishwasher.
I've also seen these at Target in a variety
of sizes. |
 |
Automatic
Pet Feeder, 2 Meals
Price: $39.99 at Petsmart
There
are many different varieties of automatic pet feeders,
with varying prices. This particular model allows
you to set up two meal times for your cat, the door on
each side popping open at the correct time. This
particular feeding device would be one to consider if
you have a household full of busy people not home all
the time, or if your cat needs to be put on a diet. |
 |
Drinkwell
Fresh Water Fountain and Reservoir
Price: $45.99 at Petsmart
This
fountain is wonderful for any cat since they are known
to enjoy drinking water that is flowing (turn on your
sink and see what I mean). An electric pump circulates
water and sends it through an activated carbon filter
to eliminate impurities and contaminants for water that
tastes cleaner and fresher. This type of water
dispenser is said to be good for pets who are experiencing
bladder or urinary tract problems. This fountain
is constructed of plastic in a neutral granite look to
match all interior settings, and plugs into a standard
wall outlet. The unit holds 6 cups of water and
an additional 6-cup reservoir can be added to increase
capacity. The carbon filters should be changed
every 6-8 weeks, additional filters are sold in packs
of 3. |
Treats
There
are many different types of treats available for cats - different
flavors, soft and hard textures, hairball and tartar reducing benefits,
etc. Shop around and experiment to see what your cat likes.
Treats should be given in moderation to prevent obesity, and can
even be used to help train your cat to learn a behavior. Read
the instructions on the packaging of each product you buy for serving
information, as it varies from treat to treat.
Foods
to Avoid
Cats
enjoy occasional table scrap from time to time, best given
in a separate bowl by their food bowls so that they learn learn
not to jump up on the dining room table to share with you. However,
there are some human food that cats should never be
permitted.
•Garlic,
onion, and similar root vegetables. Onions
contain a substance that destroys red blood cells in
a cat, causing a form of anemia (Heinz body anemia). Garlic
contains a similar substance but in a lesser amount.
•Tomatoes,
Green (raw Potatoes). These are members
of the the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes
the Deadly Nightshade, and contains a bitter and
poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine. This
can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms.
•Chocolate. Chocolate contains Theobromine, which
is toxic and sometimes deadly to cats, dogs, and other animals.
•Grapes and Raisins. Dogs who have eaten these have
developed acute renal (kidney) failure, and effects have been seen in cats. Because
this is newly discovered there is little information available, but you want
to keep your feline away from these.
•Milk. Milk is not toxic to cats, but not needed
if your cat is getting a good diet. Most cats are lactose-intolerant, which
means that lactose in milk (and milk products) produces stomach upset, cramps,
and gassiness. If your cat does like milk, a little can be given to him
every once in a while. There is a product called CatSip, made from skim
milk with an enzyme added that helps the digestion of lactose, that is safe for
your cat to drink, available in grocery stores and Petsmart.
•Meat containing bones. Bones can cause serious
complications in your cat's digestive tract and you should never let your cat
chew meat off of small bones. If for some reason your cat accidentally
eats part or all of a bone, feed it canned pumpkin which will lube up your cat's
insides, making it easier for him to pass the remains. Keep an eye on him
for 2-3 days, watching for signs of retching, pawing at his throat, or complications
in the litter box (constipation or abnormal excrement) - if any of these are
exhibited, contact your vet.
Please
note that this list was compiled from a
section of about.com - I've had questions about the
content, and this is what I found. |
While
all of these foods are bad for your cat, all types of meat (chicken,
tuna, beef, turkey, etc.) are encouraged as tasty treats in moderation. If
you're eating any of these yourself, be prepared to make a little
extra for your furry friend. While all of these should
be cooked completely when served, an occasional small serving
of raw red meat is actually good for your cat and can be given
in moderation. |
