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. |
