We people are notoriously bad at feeding ourselves. We eat a lot. Bu the bigger problem is that we have a tendency to eat too much of the wrong things and too little of the right things.
So it’s no wonder that a lot of us make mistakes when we feed our cats. Those precious kitties can’t tell us what they want, and they’ll usually eat whatever we give them. That’s a problem. If you want your cat to be healthy and strong, here are a few pitfalls to avoid when feeding them:
• Giving them too much. It’s easy to over-feed your cat because they will eat as much as you give them. This false idea that you can just keep a bowl constantly full of food so your cat can eat at its leisure is a huge mistake. One of the most common health problems in cats is obesity and the diseases associated with it. Check with your vet, but the general guidelines on the daily amount of food cats need to stay healthy is between 24 and 35 calories per pound.
• Giving them only dry food. Cats evolved as hunters that ate live food but not a whole lot of water. If you’ve ever had a pet dog, you’ve seen how they gulp down water with gusto. Cats are not that enthusiastic about gulping. They sip, and they do so very judiciously. As a result, a cat that is only fed dry food can develop urinary problems and other health issues. Cats are engineered to get their water from their food, and canned food will keep them better hydrated. That being said, it is important that they always have a ready supply of fresh drinking water.
• Giving them garlic to treat tapeworms. It’s gross to talk about or think about, but cats do get tapeworms. A common misconception is that adding garlic to your cat’s food will kill off the parasites. The problem is that it doesn’t work. If you know or suspect your cat has tapeworms, seek your vat’s advice on the best way to treat your kitty.
• Giving your cat a vegan diet. This is just silly. Cats are carnivores. They need meat. They require an animal-based diet to thrive. Cat vegetarianism is a fad, and an unwise one at that. When in doubt, talk to your vet.