Cat owners know how finicky their feline pets can be. Some cats are real ‘foodies’, while others are snobs who often turn their noses up at food they don’t like. And sometimes, they love a certain dish one day, but walk away from it the next. That’s the life of a cat owner. But here are a few tips that might make feeding your cat a little easier.
1. Clean bowl
Don’t expect your cat to eat from a dirty bowl that had leftover food in it. Make sure her bowl is cleaned after every meal with proper dishwashing liquid, and remember to rinse all the soap off the dishes. Cats’ noses are extremely sensitive and, if she can smell the soap, she might be put off her food.
2. Big enough bowl
Your cat’s bowl should be big enough for her to fit her mouth in it with ease, and her whiskers should fit too. Your cat’s whiskers are extremely sensitive, so she might avoid her bowl if it touches her whiskers. If your cat uses her paw to get to the food out of the bowl, it could be sign that the bowl is too small for her.
3. One bowl each
Even if your cats love each other to bits, they’ll still prefer to have their own bowls. Therefore, you need to make sure that each cat has her own bowl. It will help them to eat at their own pace and you will be able to pick up if one of the cats has an appetite problem.
4. Enough food
Remember that the feeding guide on the packaging is purely a suggestion of how much to feed your cat. Some cats will need less food while others might require a little bit more. Speak to your vet about your cat’s nutritional needs. Most cats prefer to eat small amounts throughout the day, while others will finish their food in one sitting.
5. Water
Animals tend to drink water after they’ve had their food – cats even more so if they eat kibble. Always ensure that she has fresh, clean water available throughout the day. Water fountains for cats are a good idea, but you still need to ensure that the water is clean and fresh.
6. No milk
Most cats are lactose intolerant, so their bodies can’t digest milk. People used to give their cats milk to drink, but we now know that it’s not a good idea. You are not doing your cat any favours by giving her milk to drink.
7. Fresh food
Never feed your cat food that has expired. Always ensure that she has fresh food to eat – don’t feed her leftover food from a previous meal. If you feed her only a portion of a pouch of wet food, make sure to place the rest of it in the fridge.
8. No dog food
Cat food is much richer in proteins than dog food is, which is why you shouldn’t feed dog food to your cat. It’s not a big deal if she occasionally takes a bite or two of the dog’s food, but make sure it’s not a regular occurrence.
9. Protein-rich
Cats are obligate carnivores, so they need protein-rich food. They’re at their healthiest when they are living off mainly meat and animal organs. Taurine, which is only found in animal tissue, is one of the nutrients they need. Not getting enough taurine can lead to heart problems and blindness, and can even be fatal.
10. Best quality
Always buy the best-quality food that you can afford to keep your cat as healthy as possible. Speak to your vet about the best food option for your cat.
11. Feeding times
Cats thrive on routine, so she will prefer set feeding times. Many experts agree that cats should eat at least two meals a day. But be careful that you don’t overfeed her.
12. Tuna treats
Most cats love tuna but that doesn’t mean they should live off it. It doesn’t contain all the required ingredients to keep them healthy. A little tuna now and then as a treat is fine, though.
