Feeding your cat may seem like an easy task to those who don't own a kitto, but we as cat owners know it's actually far from that! At first, you thought you knew what you were doing, but the more you kept reading about it, the more confusing things got.
What's the right choice of food? Can your cat eat human food like homemade lasagna or rotisserie chicken? Are you allowed to share your snacks with your little mischievous monster?
If only you knew how many challenges you'd have to face to keep your cat healthy...
We understand your concerns, and that's why we've come up with a list of all the well-known challenges in one place. After you finish reading this article, you'll be ready to become the best cat parent there is.
1. How much food is too much?
Cats just love food, don't they? (Garfield is a prime example!) They're always meowing for more, even though you've literally fed them a minute ago.
As a new cat parent, you probably feel guilty for letting your feline cry for food with her tiny little voice. She's begging you to give her more, and you don't know how to resist.
But for the sake of your cat's health, you need to know when to stop. In this case, your cat's meowing could simply be a habit, something she does for no particular reason.
If you've already given her a balanced meal, then you don't need to worry. Your cat is well-fed and doesn't need any more calories.
Feeding her too much food can lead to obesity, arthritis, and/or diabetes, which would only reduce her quality of life. So, consult your veterinarian and make sure to understand the right dosage for your cat. Don't give in to her manipulative meows!
2. What should keep away from your feline at all costs?
After feeding your cat kibble for a while, you may be wanting to introduce something different to her diet. At this point, sharing some human food with your feline seems like a great option, and she's all too keen on the idea, too.
She's eager to steal a bite of Takis from your hand, but as you're about to give in, you realize you're not sure if your cat can eat human food. Is there something you should keep away from her for the sake of her health?
Well, there certainly are a number of "human" ingredients that are bad for your furbaby. Chocolate, dairy, raw eggs and meat, and bones are all big no-nos. Raisins, grapes, onions, and garlic are also high on the list of forbidden food for your feline.
Even if she's giving you the look, silently begging you to give her some of the abovementioned food items, you need to stay strong and resist the temptation. Bear in mind that you're the one responsible for your cat, so it's ultimately up to you to enforce what's best for her.
3. How can you know your cat is consuming enough water?
Cats don't seem to be the biggest fans of water. You probably feel like you two are in a constant fight over the amount of water she's supposed to drink.
You're doing your best – you've even resorted to buying an infinite amount of bowls and placing them around your home. Every corner seems to have a bowl of fresh water, but your cat simply doesn't care. She's living her best life, avoiding H20 as if her life depended on it.
What you can do is feed your cat wet food or add a bit of water to her regular food. That way, you'll ensure she gets the necessary amount of liquid she should consume on a daily basis.
Also, you can always place a bit of catnip or some other cat-friendly herb inside her bowl of water. She's sure to investigate and drink some water in the process.
About the Author:
Aria Archer is a writer at Cats Chef. She proudly calls herself a cat-mom. Salem, Luna, and Pixie are her pride and joy. She hopes her knowledge and experience will help you through your journey of getting to know your little companion.
