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Tips for Feeding Your Cat

October 15 2017

Is your cat finicky? Or will Fluffy eat just about anything you put on her plate? Our feline pals certainly all have their own purrsonal tastes. However, making sure that your pet is getting proper nutrition is very important! Here, a McHenry, IL vet discusses feeding your cat.

Choosing The Right Food

Trying to pick the best brand of cat food is no small feat! Stores shelves are packed with dozens of different brands, each employing slick marketing tactics to make their products look healthy and nutritious. Get into the habit of reading labels. Look for brands that list meat as their first and most numerous ingredient. Avoid products with a lot of fillers, such as wheat, corn, and oats. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Serving Sizes

When feeding your kitty, pay close attention to serving sizes. Even giving Fluffy just 10 calories extra per day can cause her to pack on extra pounds. While chubby cats are undeniably cute, unfortunately, they also face some very serious health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and bone/joint problems.

Begging

Fido may hold the unofficial title of Expert Beggar, but Fluffy is certainly no slouch in this department. In fact, many kitties have their humans wrapped firmly around their little paws. If your furball just ate her dinner but is still begging for more, that adorable meow could be a lie! Ask your vet for specific recommendations and let professional advice, not your pet’s theatrics, determine your kitty’s menu.

Fussy Furballs

Kitties have a reputation for being finicky, and with good reason. Our feline friends eat their prey fresh in the wild. Therefore, they will instinctively ignore anything that smells even slightly off. If Fluffy turns her cute little nose up at your offerings, you may just want to give her something else. As we all know, you can’t win an argument with a cat!

Treats

Many cats love treats. However, the old adage about kitties liking milk is actually incorrect. In fact, many cats are lactose-intolerant! Instead of a bowl of milk, offer Fluffy cat milk, which you can find in stores. You can also give her plain, cooked meat, fish, or chicken without the bones, skin, and fat. Canned tuna, chicken, or salmon in water is also fine.

Do you have questions about your kitty’s care? Contact us, your McHenry, IL animal clinic!