Are You Feeding Your Cat The Right Food?

What should you feed your cat to make sure he or she will have the necessary nutrition? What is the ideal mix of food to help your cat live to the limit of it's life span?

To answer these questions, one should look at the diet of a feline in it's natural habitat. In the wild, a cat eats almost exclusively animal tissue. However, they would normally eat the entire body of the animal, including it's stomach contents, which has many nutrients that are simply lacking in an animals muscle tissue.

Another question some cat owners have is: Is fresh meat the best possible food for cats? Not necessarily. Fresh meat will not provide a balanced diet for a cat, as they are extremely protein dense while being very low in vital nutrients such as calcium.

Conversely, some cat owners have asked, "Is it alright to feed my cat a completely vegetarian diet?" The answer to that question is a clear cut no. Cats cannot produce the nutrients it needs from an exclusively vegetarian diet in the same way that humans can.

Being a very specialized hunter, it has actually lost that ability during the course of it's evolution. Certain skin problems are sometimes the result of a deficiency in certain essential fatty acids which can be found in animal flesh alone. Another problem is that a deficiency of the amino acid taurine, a major building block for proteins of the body, which can cause both blindness and heart failure. Cats are simply born carnivores.

Is it o.k. to give a cat only dry food? According to petshub, the answer is yes, providing that you ensure that fresh water is available at all times.

Dry food is generally more convenient, hygienic, and affordable than canned or fresh food. It also exercises the teeth and reduces the buildup of tartar, which can grow into a severe problem in cats that are fed a soft and mushy diet.

Credit: A.M. Wilmont

Your Cat Is More Interesting Than You Thought

Whether you are a dog-lover or a cat-lover, you must admit that cats are somewhat interesting, though you may not realize how bizarre they are. Refresh your memory on cat trivia by taking a look at these strange yet interesting facts about cats:

The Salty Cat

In case you get lost at sea, don't drink the water because the huge volume of salt content can dehydrate you. On the other hand, cats can survive by drinking sea water. They have special kidneys that can filter salt from the water and rehydrate themselves.

Threat to Endangered Species

All cats, including domesticated ones, are hunters by nature. However, cats that spend most of the time outdoors have played a part in the extinction of 33 species such as mammals, birds and reptiles. In fact, they are one of the 100 most invasive breed of animals.

Cats Have Smelly Paws

Unlike humans, cats don't have sweat glands. Their sweat is secreted through their paws, which gives off a scent as a sign of their territory. Therefore, every time they are scratching and walking, they are marking this area as their territory.

They Get a Lot of Beauty Rest

It seems great to relax most parts of the day. Those you own cats know how they spend most of the day lying around and sunbathing. You would be surprised to know that they actually spend 70% of their lives or 16 hours a day sleeping. Since they hunt, cats need lots of energy so they can pounce on mice. They store up energy by means of sleeping.

Disney's Obsession with Cats

Disneyland is home to around 200 cats. Aside from loving these cute animals, they are meant for another purpose. Each night, they let go of these cats in the park so they can catch all the little mice. These cats were first employed in the 1950s and this program has continuously grown throughout the years.

Alzheimer's Among Senior Cats

Just like humans, senior cats also experience Alzheimer's disease or dementia when they reach a certain age, like 8 years old. This shows when cats roam around your home looking dizzy and confused, making the meow sound. In case your cat is showing similar signs, cover it with an additional blanket to provide comfort.

Long, Wide Whiskers

A cat's whiskers grow as long as its width. Not only do they make cats look so adorable, they are meant for another purpose. Their long whiskers are used to check if they would be able to go through small openings. If the whiskers bend, this indicates that the cat wouldn't be able to enter.

Sky Divers by Nature

People are probably amazed on how cats land on their feet. They don't go against the laws of physics. They go down in an umbrella position to slow down their fall, as a skydiver does. They also have a keen sense of direction to tell which part is up so they can adjust their body.

Credit: Karina Popa

Are You Ready for A Pet Cat? Question You Need to Ask Yourself

Cats are insanely beautiful companions; these little meow machines make your world all the prettier and meaningful with the things that they do. On some days they make seem like a havoc machine in the house, knocking the cans down and jumping from one shore to the another, but if you own one you'll understand the happiness they bring in your life. However, if you're planning to pet one, you need to know a few things about them.

Ask yourself the following questions so you can be sure whether or not you're ready to own a cat and keep it healthy and happy beside managing your routine jobs.

Why do I need a pet cat?

You can have a plenty of reasons to pet a cat, but it's important to find the right reasons. The love and companionship of a cat will surely fill your life with a lot of happiness but at the same time, their mood swings might not be welcome. If you're buying one because you're looking for a companion to share your love with, then believe me you're doing the perfect thing. But, if you're petting one because your 6-year-old child wants it and you're sure that you'll not be willingly taking care of it then it's a big 'No.' If the answer the question 'Why cat' is clear in your head and if you're ready to take the responsibility, then go ahead and make friends with one; if not rethink.

Am I ready to live with a cat?

Remember owning a cat is a serious, long-term commitment and you just can't get rid of the responsibility one fine day. Before you decide to bring one to your home, make sure you're ready to share with them a huge part of your life. Pet cats expect you give them attention and spare enough playtime. Unlike many animals, cats can adjust their schedules day or night to fit yours, which makes it easier to give them attention even if you have a busy workday. From money to space in the house if you are comfortable sharing things with the cat, you're ready to go.

Will I make a responsible owner?

Being a responsible cat owner means making sure that your cat is healthy and happy and is getting the love she deserves as a family member. You need to be responsible for the following things:

1. Regular vet check-ups and vaccinations
2. Protection from fleas, worms, and ticks
3. Getting it de-sexed
4. Ensuring the cat is living in a secure environment and does not pose a threat to native species
5. Obeying licensing laws for your area

Think as many times as you want, take advice from people who own a cat and also from the ones who know your habits and lifestyle. It is best to know what other people think of you as a pet owner. Doing this will give you a series of options and will help you make the right decision. It is sad but true that people readily accept the innocent kitten faces but leave the cat in shelters when it becomes unmanageable for them to take care of their young cat.

The beautiful companions deserve a lot more than just a place to stay; so if you're sure you'll be a good parent then buy them, else don't take the risk.

Owning a cat is not the easiest thing you can do, but if you can take care of the little thing it will definitely give you a lot of happiness. As the author of the article, it gives me immense pleasure to say that my cat, Penny, I feel that there are a lot of things that one needs to consider. This article serves as an insight for those who're looking forward to owning a cat. While working with I Love Your Cat, I realized that my love for these paww-dorable creatures has grown several folds.

Credit: Kitika Modgil