subject: Helpful Tips for Raising Cats [print this page] Helpful Tips for Raising Cats Helpful Tips for Raising Cats
Helpful tips for raising cats will help you with some of the basic choices you will be making when you bring your kitten home. Knowing some of the little things can help you as your kitten grows into an adult cat. This article will cover tips on the following topics; selecting the best food and water bowls, is it okay to feed your cat milk, is it okay to give my cat tuna, is it okay to feed my cat table scraps, and should cats share the same food dish.
Selecting the Best Food and Water Bowls
When buying food and water bowls for your cat, look beyond the cute patterns. Plastic scratches easily, and tiny fissures can harbor germs. Stainless steel is sturdy, unbreakable, and dishwasher-safe. Ceramic is another good choice. Be sure to wash out all food bowls daily.
Cat bowls should be shallow, yet large enough to hold a full cup of cat food. Straight-sided bowls are less likely to tip. Automatic feeders help keep kitty's routine consistent when you're away. If you care for outdoor strays, electrically heated bowls keep fresh water available all winter long. And, if you want to "bowl" your older cat over with kindness, buy an elevated bowl frame and watch her chow down in comfort!
Is It Okay To Give Your Cat Milk?
The classic image of a cat is with a bowl of milk, but you're not doing fluffy a favor by feeding her dairy products. Some cats can tolerate a little pasteurized milk as an occasional treat, but as cats age, they often become lactose intolerant and find it difficult to digest the sugar in milk. So many cats, especially adults, get diarrhea after drinking dairy.
So even if your cat can sip the stuff without a snag, it's never a good idea to make milk a regular part of your cat's diet. It is okay to occasionally indulge Daisy, but don't overdo it, and stay alert for any changes in her stool. Remember, regardless of what you give your cat as a treat, plain old water is what she really needs. So make sure to have a bowl available at all times.
Is It Okay To Give My Cat Tuna Fish?
Tuna fish probably seems like a tasty treat to feed your favorite feline. And it's true an occasional bite or two probably won't do any harm. But be careful not to feed fluffy too much fish.
First, there is the risk of mercury, which could build up in your cat's system over time. A cat that eats too much tuna may also develop nutritional deficiencies. After all, tuna alone can't provide all of the vitamins and nutrients your pet needs. The fish is especially lacking vitamin e, an important antioxidant. Without vitamin e, a cat could develop a condition called yellow fat disease.
So if you want to spoil your kitty, make him stick to a regular balanced diet, and only indulge his taste for tuna now and again.
Is It Okay to Feed My Cat Table Scraps?
Many cat owners are guilty of sneaking table scraps to their pets during dinner. An occasional sliver of fish or chicken won't hurt your cat. But some foods, including onions and chocolate, are toxic - even in small amounts.
Even though cats may love it, human food is often too spicy and high in calories for them, and could cause diarrhea or vomiting. Cats need certain nutrients that are specifically provided in high quality cat foods. Allowing kitty to share your meals may dull his appetite for cat food and create bad habits, like jumping on the table.
If kitty has eaten his regular dinner, you can save him a bit of turkey for a late night treat, but make sure he eats it out of his own bowl.
Is It Okay to Let My Cats Share the Same Food Dish?
Cats are territorial by nature, and will develop a "top cat bottom cat" structure that can be hard on the more timid ones. Without sufficient space and privacy, they can become stressed out. One way you can help reduce the natural tensions that exist in your multi-cat household is to give each cat its own food dish.
But if individual dishes are awkward, inconvenient, or simply not possible, you could feed your hungry kitties on wide trays or baking sheets. You could set up separate feeding stations. Or even feed problem cats in separate rooms. All these strategies will promote peace, and will also provide plenty of wiggle room for super sensitive whiskers, something every cat will appreciate.
