Is Chocolate Poisonous To Cats
While most human treats should be avoided, chocolate is a complete no-no for cats. Just 2g of chocolate not even as big as a square is enough to do serious damage to your cat due to its levels of theobromine. Theobromine acts as a stimulant, increasing the heart rate and acting as a diuretic to increase the loss of bodily fluids. As cats struggle to metabolise theobromine, the chemical stays in the bloodstream and quickly reaches dangerous levels.
Keep chocolate out of reach of your cat, and if you suspect they have eaten any chocolate, head to the vet straight away.
Types Of Cat Food Explained
You can either feed your cat dry or wet food, or both. You should only feed your cat high-quality food. While most dry cat foods offer all the nutrients a cat needs, they may not get as much hydration from it as they would from wet food. Kittens and older felines may find it easier to eat wet food, as its easier for them to chew.
We recommend choosing cat food from a trusted brand. Cheap cat food can have lower-quality ingredients, and expensive cat food isnt always better than middle-tier options. Ask your cats vet about the best brand and type of food for your furry friend.
Feed Your Cat At Least Twice A Day
Did You Know …
Like us, a cats stomach structure is simple. Once their stomach has filled it up with food, it begins to empty over a few hours. When their stomach is empty, which usually can take 8 to 10 hours, the brain begins to get signals from the stomach that it is hungry. This is one reason why it is generally recommended to feed cats at least twice daily. We all know what it feels like to skip a meal or have to fast NO FUN! Additionally, your cats stomach can produce extra acid if they go longer than 12 hours without food. This can cause your cat to become nauseated and possibly vomit. I dont know about you, but I am not a fan of cat vomit!
Whatever schedule works for you and your cat, stick to it. Cats like a predictable routine, just as most people do! Their day is designed around feeding and for some cats, it is how they cope with the day-to-day events of the household. Feeding routines can also help you switch foods more easily. A hungry cat will be a little less picky. Finally, a feeding routine allows you to better monitor how much your cat is eating or if there is a change in their behavior when eating. These can signal early health issues that might be missed without a schedule.
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How Much Canned Food To Feed A Cat
How much-canned food to feed a cat? Canned foods, commonly known as wet cat food are so important for your pet. They provide it with the crucial nutrients that make them healthy. However, not all cats should be fed with canned foods rather one should consider the health condition of your cat.
Another factor to consider before feeding the cat with canned food is if the cat is an indoor one or an outdoor one. Indoor cats should be given more wet food as compared to outdoor cats for the simple reason that it provides them with nutrients that they miss for not being active.
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The Wet Cat Food Debate
So, is it mean that wet cat food is better, right? Well, not necessarily all the time. A very cheap wet food is not good for your cat to compare to a premium quality dry food.
Always check the ingredients. It should list an animal protein and the source of it as its number one ingredient. And, They should not contain meat by-products.
Some people argue that a cat is living on only canned food diet can lead to dental problems. That including gingivitis. But if you schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings. This really isnt an issue. The mix of dry cat food and canned wet cat food can help your cat with dental health. If you are worried about her teeth you can probably give her raw chicken, chicken neck to chew for her teeth once or twice a week for exercise her jaw.
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How Much Should You Feed Your Cat
How much you should feed your cat is dependent on several factors. In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all for feeding. Each cat is an individual with their own unique needs. Therefore, feeding amounts could vary as much as 50% above or below average. This is one reason consulting with your veterinarian about meal portion size is recommended.
What Type Of Food Should I Choose
Choosing the type of food is another point of concern. Can I feed my cat with dry food only? How much wet food should I feed my cat? The answers to these questions depend on the cats physical state. Normally, healthy adult cats can be fed with high-grade dry food all the time.
Regardless of what type of food you opt for, it must be of high quality. The number one ingredient of good dry food is natural dehydrated meat, poultry or fish. Carbs and vegetable proteins can be represented by beans and vegetables, but their share must not exceed 10%. When it comes to moisture food, its number one ingredient must be meat, poultry or fish as well. Also, it can contain some meat by-products, vegetables, and fillers. In cheaper foods, meat is usually replaced by meat by-products, which is why a cat needs much more food to cover its needs in essential nutrients.
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What The Vets Have To Say About It
If we assume the average cat weighs approximately 10 pounds then the average indoor cat needs 250 calories a day, according to the team at Kirkwood Animal Hospital in Kirkwood, Missouri. Most high quality foods have approximately 500 calories per 8 ounce cup of food meaning an average-sized house cat should have a total of 4 ounces of food a day.
Knowing how much to feed your cat starts with identifying their ideal body weight. This is something you should discuss with your cats veterinarian, but you can do a quick visual assessment at home. Cats should have ribs and a spine that are easy to feel but not too bony, writes Dr. Jacqueline Brister, DVM for Embrace Pet Insurance. When looking at a kitty from above, the abdomen should taper in somewhat. In other words, a cat of a healthy weight should have an hourglass figure.
However, there are some exceptions to this thin and trim rule. As cats enter adulthood, they may develop extra, loose skin on the belly region in between their legs a feature vets call the primordial pouch, according to Dr. Brister. Veterinary experts arent exactly sure why cats have it, but it is likely used for protection of important belly structures during a fight. While normal, your vet should still examine your older cat to see whether this pouch is too large for its body size.
When To Feed Your Young Cat
Cats do best with multiple meals a day. Two or three meals a day is fine. By feeding meals instead of free-freeding , you can measure out exactly how much your cat is eating. You will also be alerted immediately if he skips a meal.
Use your cats food label to calculate how much you need to feed to meet his caloric requirement. Most foods have calorie counts on the packaging. Initially, it is best if you weigh out the daily meals. That will help you feed precise amounts. You can then put the weighed food into a container so you know to simply scoop out 1/8 or 1/4 cup as needed.
If your adolescent cat is one of those wild teenagers who is always on the go, he may beg for a snack in between. Keep these snacks small, and monitor his body condition weekly. You dont want him to join the ranks of pudgy cats. Instead of feeding cat treats, you can set aside a portion of his daily diet to use as rewards and for training.
Yes, I did say training. Cats can learn and perform tricks just like dogs. There are even agility competitions for cats! Adolescence is the ideal time to start your cat on his performance career.
A cat who is wild in the evening when you get home from work or who runs around after lights out may need more exercise. One easy way to increase exercise is to use a food puzzle or a food game to feed him his meals. These are commercial products that require your cat to work to earn his kibble. They would work with dry food or freeze dried chunks of food.
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How Much Food Does A Cat Need
Calorie content can vary widely from one brand of cat food to another. Not all brands will disclose calorie counts on the label, and you may need to visit the brands website to find the information. General recommendations range from 24 to 35 calories per pound of body weight per day to keep an average adult cat at a healthy, normal weight. The body condition chart below can help you determine whether your young to middle-aged adult cat is at a normal weight.
In older cats, muscle condition is a better indicator. You will be able to feel bones in senior cats who are overweight if theyre starting to lose muscle mass.
If your cat is overweight or underweight, calculate the amount to feed based on her target weight.
Since nutritional needs can vary considerably depending on the factors mentioned above, its a good idea to weigh your cat regularly and adjust the amount you feed accordingly.
Adult Cat Feeding Chart
When deciding how much food to give your grown up cat, you should feed based on their weight. Not sure when to make the transition from a kitten to adult feeding schedule? Vets recommend swapping your cats portion after their first birthday. Its also important to swap them from a kitten to an adult food formula. In most cases, adult cats need to eat less food than kittens.
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How Much And How Often Should You Feed Your Cat
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Many cat owners, myself included, love a big chunky cat.
Maybe its because they seem cuddlier when they are in the mood to cuddle that is.
Or perhaps we feel more loved when they are begging for food or purring as we feed them.
But in reality, as cute as they may be, excess weight isnt healthy for our cats. Studies show that pets on the leaner side live longer than their heavier counterparts. Also, cats with a healthy body weight will suffer less from issues like arthritis and other illnesses.
The best way to show love is by managing your cats weight to help them live a long and healthy life.
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Lets get started on some basics of how you can help your furry friend lose weight and keep it off. One of the first things I suggest is consulting with your cats veterinarian. They can guide you on how much weight your cat needs to lose, how much to feed them, and how to establish an exercise routine for your cat. It is recommended just like it is for people to have your cat get a complete physical exam and possibly blood tests to be sure there are no underlying medical issues before starting a weight loss program.
How Much Food Should I Give My Old Cat
From the age of 7/8, our animal will go from being an adult cat to a senior cat, and as a consequence, their ability to digest proteins and fats will decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to continue feeding them 2 servings daily but providing high quality and easily digestible foods.
Apart from their ability to digest, we will notice other changes in our pet, such as the quality of their coat . Or, the amount of daily physical activity, making them less active and energetic. Still, this process is inevitable, but we can significantly prolong the life of our companion if we feed them in an appropriate way for their age.
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Cat Feeding Mistakes: Offering Too Little Water
Clearly water is vital, for cats as well as people. Essential to life, water accounts for 60% to 70% of an adult cats body weight, say ASPCA experts. A serious water deficiency can have critical repercussions for pets, causing serious illness or death.
Although wet foods can go far toward meeting your feline friends water needs, cats should also have several sources of fresh water available through the house, say the pros. Pay attention to where the cat likes to be so that there’s water there, Case suggests. And be aware that some cats prefer running water others can detect the taste of chlorine in tap water so you might want to buy bottled water for them.
Heres a tasty tip to help encourage your cat to drink more, offered inThe Veterinarians Guide to Natural Remedies for Cats:
- Locate a couple leaves of fresh catnip
- Fill a bowl with water and crush the leaves under the water
- Sit back and watch susceptible kitties go wild
Continued
How Much Raw Food
Some raw feeders are guided by their cat when it comes to how much raw food they should feed. Whilst this is okay in theory, it only works if you have a cat who walks away from their food when their tummy is full. If you have a greedy cat with an insatiable appetite you need to measure and monitor your cats raw food.
It is generally recommended that you feed between 2% and 4% of your cats ideal bodyweight, split into two or three meals a day.
Every cat is different though, so when determining how much raw food to feed your cat you need to take into account factors such as:
- Age
- Metabolism
- Activity and Exercise Levels.
For example, a senior cat who lives indoors and spends his day napping in the sun and walking only as far as his food bowl and litter box, is going to require much less food than a young and healthy active cat who spends his days playing and running outdoors in the fresh air.
Image: Tiaan Nell via Unsplash
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Cat Feeding Guidelines: How Often Should I Feed My Cat
May 11, 2021
Every pet owner wonders if they are taking good care of their pet , with questions about feeding being one of the number one concerns. Cats are mercurial much of the time they often do what they want and can switch between being a cuddler and a distant loner in a second. Talk about mixed signals! It makes it hard to determine their basic needs, like how often they need to be fed.
The Sufficient Amount Of Wet Food
My advice for all beginners is to consult your veterinarian for the most appropriate diet. During the assessment, the vet will be able to determine the ideal weight for your cat and the necessary amount of calorie intake per day.
If your cats weight is alarming, the vet might prescribe some supplementary food to assist the weight loss process. Generally speaking, it depends very much on their weight and physical conditions. For instance, a 15-pound cat requires a higher amount of food than a 5-pound cat.
Activity level and age can also contribute to the proper amount of wet food. For instance, a young energetic cat will need extra calories intake compared to an elderly one. In addition, a pregnant cat will need more calories to have milk.
Most of the wet food is contained in a can whose weight is 3 ounces, and having one a day should be enough for your cat. Note that if all the calories provided below are suggested and you dont have to strictly obey.
In other words, it is totally fine to adjust the amount of wet food for your cat so that it fits your cat. For example, if you feel like your cats are still hungry and seem to slack during the day, feel free to give them more food. Dont attempt to change their diet abruptly.
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How Much To Feed A Cat By Weight
Once a cat has passed kittenhood, and has stopped growing, it is possible to work out how much to feed based on their body weight. The recommended daily caloric intake can be calculated using a formula to work out the Resting energy requirement :
RER=70 x to the power of 0.75
To work out the to the power of 0.75 part of the equation, you can either use a calculator that allow you to use exponents, or you can multiply the weight in kilograms by itself 3 times , then work out the square root of that sum, twice.
This calculation will give you the resting energy requirement for your cat in kilocalories. You then need to multiply this by a different factor depending on your individual cat to estimate their total daily energy needs, with possible variables listed below.
| Neutered adult cat | |
| Cat aiming to lose weight | 1.0 x RER for ideal weight |
| Cat trying to gain weight | 1.2-1.8 x RER for ideal weight |
| Very active outdoor cat | 2.0-4.0 x RER |
You should remember that an individual cats needs may vary by as much as 50% from these calculated values, and that it is always necessary to modify feeding quantities depending on how a cats body weight changes over time.
This method will allow you to calculate for yourself, from first principles, approximately how much food you should be feeding your cat.