As a proud cat parent, I’ve often found myself drowning in a sea of advice about what to feed my feline overlords.
You know how it goes: one friend swears by raw fish while another insists that dry kibble is the way to go. Honestly, with so much conflicting information out there, it can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded!
So, let’s take a deep breath and dive into some common myths about feeding cats, shall we?
1. Myth: Cats Are Obligate Carnivores and Need Only Meat
By the way, many people believe that because cats are classified as obligate carnivores, they should only eat meat.
While it’s true that felines have evolved to thrive on animal protein, this doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from other nutrients too. It’s all about balance—just like when I try (and fail) to balance my diet between pizza and salad.
Interestingly enough, modern cat food formulations recognize this need for variety. High-quality commercial cat foods include essential vitamins and minerals derived from both animal sources and plant-based ingredients.
That means your kitty can enjoy a well-rounded diet without being limited to just steak tartare!
But here’s where it gets tricky: not all proteins are created equal! A proper diet for your cat should contain specific amino acids like taurine that are vital for their health.
So while you don’t have to serve them nothing but chicken breasts every day, make sure whatever you choose meets their nutritional needs.
2. Myth: Dry Food Is Better Than Wet Food
Let’s see—this myth has been around longer than my old couch! Many folks argue that dry food is superior because it’s convenient and helps keep teeth clean. However, studies show that wet food offers its own set of benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked.
For starters, hydration is key! Cats aren’t always great at drinking water; they often get most of their moisture from their food.
Wet food typically contains around 70-80% water content compared to dry kibble’s mere 10%. If your cat is prone to urinary tract issues or kidney problems (which many cats are), wet food could be an excellent option for keeping them hydrated.
On the other hand, dry food does have its advantages too—it’s easier to store and measure out portions accurately.
Plus, some brands do promote dental health by reducing plaque buildup when chewed properly. Ultimately though, mixing both types might provide your furball with the best of both worlds!
3. Myth: Cats Should Eat Whenever They Want
Let me tell you something, provision of constant access to food makes sense to me, I mean when you have the opportunity why not let Mister Whiskers eat the whole day, right? It does however require some serious management as it has the potential to bloat into a serious issue with time.
Cats are known for ovvy eating when unlimited food is available, I mean come on who wouldn’t want to order an extra serving every single time?
This along with their diabetes makes the case of audit appendage deformation even more prominent. Such a vicious cycle should be avoided at all costs.
Rather than doing things the traditional way, try using the cat-feeder! Instead of letting your little hairy buddy feast the entire day every single day, allow them meals four times a day, limit their meals in order to make it a more controllable process for kitty because different cats, have different appetites.
4. Misconception: Cats Can Eat Food Leftovers From the Table
Just like when we have gotten to the feeding portion of the animals, lets tackle the misconception concerning the leftover food.
I believe we have all come across those adorable kittens that seem to be looking and asking for leftovers once dinner has been served. But giving in isn’t always the best choice!
Although some (such as cooked chicken or white rice) might appear benign, a plethora of others are dangerous because they contain toxic substances like onions or garlic meaning that our four legged friends would be in much trouble and yes, this could even be quickly after a single word “tuna”.
This goes forth to state that cannot simply give them anything and everything especially when talking about dairy since all adult cats are lactose intolerant which means they cannot have anything made with milk.
To be fair though; people should not assume that all course meals their cats are having are simply dangerous; remember boundaries!
If you are looking forward to having some special meals with your pets (I suggest that you do) then you can ALWAYS check credible resources online and veterinarians for further guidance or boundaries.
Suggested Resources:
Cat Nutrition Basics
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-nutrition-basics
Understanding Cat Dietary Needs
https://www.cattime.com/cat-facts/health/13439-understanding-cat-dietary-needs
The Truth About Cat Food
https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/truth-about-cat-food