Feeding a cat might seem like a simple task, but many cat owners make common mistakes that can harm their feline companions’ health. As a result, it’s crucial to understand the proper feeding practices to keep your cat healthy and happy. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the common mistakes that cat owners make when feeding their cats and how to avoid them.

 

Overfeeding your cat

Overfeeding is a common mistake that many cat owners make, and it can lead to obesity, which is a significant health concern for cats. Obesity increases the risk of various health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and joint problems. Therefore, it’s essential to feed your cat the appropriate amount of food according to its age, size, and activity level.

 

The amount of food that a cat requires varies based on its age and activity level. Generally, adult cats require about 20 to 30 calories per pound of body weight per day. However, it’s crucial to note that this can vary based on factors such as whether the cat is spayed or neutered, its activity level, and its age. Therefore, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount of food to feed your cat.

 

Feeding a diet that is inappropriate for cats

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they require a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Many cat owners feed their cats diets that are inappropriate for them, such as diets high in carbohydrates, grains, and fillers. These diets can lead to various health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and digestive issues.

 

Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a high-quality cat food that meets the nutritional requirements of cats. Look for a cat food that contains high-quality animal protein as the primary ingredient and is low in carbohydrates and fillers. Additionally, avoid feeding your cat table scraps, as these can upset their digestive system and lead to obesity.

 

Feeding a one-size-fits-all diet

Not all cats are created equal, and their nutritional requirements vary based on factors such as their age, activity level, and health condition. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose a diet that meets the specific nutritional requirements of your cat.

 

For example, kittens require a diet that is higher in calories and protein than adult cats. Similarly, older cats may require a diet that is lower in calories and higher in protein to maintain their muscle mass.

 

If your cat has a health condition, such as diabetes or kidney disease, it’s crucial to choose a diet that meets their specific nutritional requirements. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate diet for your cat’s specific health condition.

 

Feeding too many treats

While treats can be a great way to bond with your cat and reward them for good behavior, feeding too many treats can lead to obesity and other health issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to limit the number of treats that you feed your cat and choose healthy, low-calorie options.

Additionally, avoid feeding your cat human foods as treats, as these can be high in calories, fat, and sugar and can lead to digestive issues.

 

Feeding on an irregular schedule

Cats thrive on routine, and feeding them on an irregular schedule can lead to anxiety, obesity, and other health issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to establish a regular feeding schedule and stick to it.

 

Most cats prefer to be fed multiple small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large meals. Therefore, consider feeding your cat small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large meals.

 

Additionally, avoid free-feeding your cat, as this can lead to overeating and obesity. Instead, measure out the appropriate amount of food for each meal and feed your cat at regular intervals throughout the day.

 

Not providing enough water

Cats require a lot of water to stay healthy, and not providing enough water can lead to dehydration and other health issues. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that your cat has access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Some cats prefer drinking from a fountain or running water source, so consider investing in a cat water fountain to encourage your cat to drink more water. Additionally, consider feeding your cat wet food, which has a higher moisture content than dry food and can help keep your cat hydrated.

 

Feeding the wrong type of food for their dental health

Dental health is an important aspect of a cat’s overall health, and feeding the wrong type of food can lead to dental issues such as tartar buildup and gum disease. Therefore, it’s important to choose a cat food that promotes good dental health.

Dry cat food can be beneficial for dental health, as the crunchy texture can help scrape away tartar and plaque buildup. However, some cats may have difficulty chewing dry food, especially if they have dental issues. In this case, wet food or a combination of wet and dry food may be a better option.

Additionally, consider providing your cat with dental treats or toys that promote good dental health and encourage them to chew and clean their teeth.

A great dental treat for your cat is Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treats would be nice for your cat. My cat really likes these.

 

 

 

Changing the cat’s diet too quickly

Changing your cat’s diet too quickly can lead to digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, it’s crucial to introduce new foods slowly and gradually.

Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with your cat’s current food and gradually increase the amount of new food over a period of 7-10 days. This allows your cat’s digestive system to adjust to the new food gradually, reducing the risk of digestive issues.

Additionally, if your cat has a sensitive stomach or digestive issues, consider choosing a cat food that is designed specifically for cats with digestive issues or consult with your veterinarian for recommendations.

 

Not considering their age and health status

As cats age, their nutritional requirements change, and they may require a different diet than they did when they were younger. Additionally, cats with health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease may require a specific diet to manage their condition.

 

Therefore, it’s crucial to consider your cat’s age and health status when choosing a diet and feeding them. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate diet for your cat’s age and health status and make any necessary adjustments as they age or their health status changes.

 

In conclusion, feeding a cat may seem like a simple task, but there are many common mistakes that cat owners make that can harm their feline companions’ health. By avoiding these common mistakes and following the proper feeding practices, you can ensure that your cat stays healthy and happy for years to come. Consult with your veterinarian for specific recommendations for your cat’s unique needs and always prioritize their health and well-being.

Learn more about feeding your cat by Cornell University

The Cat Language Bible could this guide really be the key to understanding your cat through true-to-word language?

 

Forgive me for being a bad parent, but sometimes I just can’t understand what Scruffles is SAYING between all the meows and purrs.

 

I guess you could call him a big yapper with the shrewd, “let nothing truly be told” face of a master poker player.

 

Frankly he doesn’t even need the poker face when he just says the same 2 sounds. Meow. Purrrrrr. How could anyone possibly make sense of that?

 

Well, you’d be surprised.

 

As Scruffle’s caretaker and owner, our language miscommunications can cause friction at times. While I’m trying to figure out whether he’s hungry or tired, angry or just energetic, he’s off in his own world not making anything easier for me.

 

The Cat Language Bible™ immediately stood out to me as a way to finally break the code with Scruffles and have an honest, one-on-one, human-to-cat dialogue.

 

That was, if the marketing lived up to the program’s description.

 

This course brands itself as a way to understand what your cat is trying to communicate to you – through body language as well as actual cat sounds.

 

Being a feline with more secrets than he has lives, the prospect of knowing what my cat was thinking, feeling, and sometimes plotting against me was immensely interesting.

 

What can I say, I’m a bit of an eavesdropper, and I wanted to know what Scruffles actually thought about me as he made efforts to hide, stalk, or occasionally pounce me in my sleep!

 

Body Language by your cat

 

What I really like about this guide is that it’s not pure text. They show multiple shots of cats exhibiting different signs based on their behavior. For a book about language including the bodily variety, I think this is essential, and they delivered more than just a basic text description by actually showing cats in various emotional and communicative states.

 

When you think about it, all animals have certain reflexes that they adapt based on their environment. When scared, they recoil, just like humans do. When excited or fearful, they have different body mechanics to suit each situation.

 

The reason that you and me struggle with this is because there are slight variations that are hard for non-felines to detect. Just like when a human being furrows his eyebrow to show confusion or disdain, you really need to understand the subtleties that are on display when you look at a cat’s body as well.

 

The Cat Language Bible™ shows that critical nuance of behavior. It goes to that extra depth to really help you understand and decipher the body language of cats.

 

Verbal communication by your cat

 

Yes, meow, screech, and a purrr are obviously different in meaning. I think of them as the “primary cat words.”

 

But unlike human beings, cats focus more on tone to convey different ideas and emotions than humans do. And here again The Cat Language Bible™ breaks it down, highlighting differences between screeching tones and soft tones, as well as low, high, and medium pitches.

 

It’s worth noting that every cat is different and you need to establish a base for what is loud versus soft with your own feline. Even with Scruffles being as low-key as he is, I didn’t find this to be an issue at all.

 

Overall rating of “The Cat Language Bible”

 

Are you a cat owner? Do you want to understand your cat better? Then get The Cat Language Bible™. It teaches exactly what it says: the language of cat.

 

I don’t know of any other guide that goes into such depth with the picture examples, breakdowns of pitch and tone variations, and lessons on cat behaviors and emotional states.

 

This guide also changed my understanding of Scruffle’s true intelligence. It turns out that house cats have evolved to speak to us in way that no other felines really have. Their language skills, although not quite matching our own, are highly sophisticated and nuanced.

 

The Cat Language Bible™ is an essential guide then, for understanding how cats think, show emotion, and even manipulate us at times based on their language, both in body and voice.

 

It’s time to talk cat. Watch author Jonas Jurgella’s FREE video presentation here: Click Here

 

 

What an explosive new “Japanese Cat Communication” study means for cat owners looking to bond with their cats

 

In case you’re not a follower of all things cat research, I’m happy to present a breakthrough study on the matter…

 

This new study has showed us something fascinating about how animals think and comprehend us.

 

The results basically indicated that felines have an astounding ability to understand our words. They can understand human language!

 

Japanese researchers in Tokyo uncovered this special trait, which separates domestic house cats from all other large, wild felines (tigers, lions and so forth). It turns out the smallest and cutest ones of them all are the most verbally sophisticated. It appears house cats have actually evolved to understand us as part of their domestication.

 

• They understand us by our pitch. They can tell if we’re angry or if we want to hug them.

 

• They can understand us by our words. They know their name, our name, and a host of other titles we assign to things around the house or activities.

 

• And most fascinating of all, they’ve evolved to mirror us. In the wild, cats prefer to be pin drop quiet. They are hunters that catch prey by closing distance through silence and camouflage followed by a brief sprint. This is why when cats communicate to each other, the primary device is their body, not their vocals.

 

And yet with you and me, cats constantly break this rule. Why though?

 

Again, it goes back to domestication. Watching humans communicate to each other through voice, cats have learned to mirror us.

 

The fascinating thing about this brain-level chance is that cats have developed a sort of language of their own. In between the meows, purrs, and hisses is a genuine language built on tone and word length.

 

Yes, it can be deciphered. In fact it already has. This is what the Cat Language Bible by Jonas Jurgella is in a nutshell. It is years of research into the field of human to feline communication, condensed and compressed into a simple guide that anyone can pick up and use on-the-fly with their own cat.

 

• Use it to interpret cat sounds as they’re happening. Now you can finally understand if your cat is sick or just energetic.

 

• Read his thoughts by reading his body. It’s tough to know when your cat wants to be left alone versus when he’s genuinely sad and feeling secluded. Now you can tell using some verbal and nonverbal giveaways common to all felines.

 

• Speak to him in a way that he can understand. Cats may not have the advanced language capability that humans do — yet they make sounds that can also be understood and interpreted by us.

 

• Would you like to actually say something to your cat that he could really understand on his own terms? The Cat Language Bible™ will tell you how to do it.

 

See the FREE video here for more information: Click Here

 

In my opinion as a cat owner, this is a must-have in any animal household. Pick it up, and see how much closer a connection you can build with your own feline through the power of direct human to cat conversation.

Cats tend to be alert, somewhat nervous animals who can react with fear to a number of situations, and this can result in inappropriate. Being ‘fraidy cats’ has helped cats to survive in the sometimes hostile natural world where they might make a tempting meal for a larger animal. Although living with humans has undoubtedly softened some of the cat’s natural skittishness, they still depend upon instinct to keep them safe, and often appear to us to overreact.

There are a number of reasons why a cat might be avoiding the litter box, such as an infection, or a dirty box. However, fear can also be responsible for litter box avoidance and in soiling inappropriately, and this could well be the case with your cat.

Why Your Cat Might Be Afraid of the Litter Box

The fear your cat might be showing as avoiding the litter box could stem from his or her fear of the box itself, or of the place where the box is situated. If your cat associates a certain spot in the house with an unpleasant or traumatic experience, it could cause your cat to mess outside the litter box. Cats have good memories and will associate the litter box with the incident long after the ‘danger’ is gone. If simply moving the box is not an option, there are ways to help your cat overcome his or her fears.

• Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and petting to help your cat relax in the room where the litter box is located.
• There are attractants that will help lure your cat to the litter box that can are useful in overcoming the cat’s fears.
• If you have recently gotten a new litter box, there could be something about the box that is frightening him or her.
• Make sure that while the box is in a place that grants your cat some privacy, the area is also well-lit and warm.
• Accompanying your cat partway to the litter box can help your friend to feel more secure. The need for this will diminish as the cat’s confidence grows.

Most cats who develop a fear their litter box because of past trouble in the area can be helped to overcome this with patience and kindness. Never punish your cat for messing on the rug or behind a chair, it will only make the animal more nervous and less likely to use the litter box in the future.

Most kittens and cats are eager and happy to use the litter box. When we had a litter of Siamese kittens years ago, we put down the top of a shoebox filled with litter for them to use, and those little guys went right into it to do their business at about four weeks of age. However, things do not always go as smoothly as this, and when your kitten or cat is avoiding the box, it’s time to take a close look at what the problem might be.

Getting Your Feline Friend to Use the Litter Box

In a natural state, cats seek out dry, loose sand or soil in which to urinate and defecate. Avoiding litter box and inappropriate elimination shouldn’t be too hard for cats of any age.

• In a natural state, cats look for dry, loose sand or soil in which to urinate and defecate. If you provide a litter that mimics this, you will have a good chance of having your cat use the box without problem. Many cats do not like scented litter, so stick with an unscented brand at least until your cat is used to the box.
• Keep the box clean. Remove soiled litter every day, and the sooner the better. The litter in the box should be changed completely once a week and the litter pan washed.
• If you have more than one cat, provide a litter box for each one of them. Most cats aren’t fond of sharing the box with another.
• Choose a spot that the cat likes to use for elimination, preferably away from where the cat eats and drinks. Most cats like a bit of privacy, too, so placing the box in a more out-of-the-way spot can encourage use.
• Should your cat be resisting using the box, you can try confining the cat in a small room with the box available. In most cases, the cat will get the idea and start using the box.
• Kittens, especially, can be easily trained by using an attractant in the box until they become accustomed to using it.

The above suggestions refer to getting a cat or kitten to use the box to begin with. However, if you have a cat that has been using the litter box reliably and suddenly stops, there could be a medical problem involved and you should schedule a visit to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

To learn more on how to stop your cat from spraying get “Cat Spray No More”

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Cats Are Cleanly – This Can Help Stop Litter Box Problems

The most common reason why cats wind up sitting in a cage at an animal shelter is because they refuse to use the litter box. Cat urine has a very strong odor, and getting it out of fabric or even removing the smell entirely from hard surfaces can be difficult. And, cats have been known not only to defecate behind furniture to hide the deed, but also often on the worst places possible, such as your bed.

If you’ve been frustrated in trying to get your cat to use the litter box, you may be surprised to learn that the answer to the problem could be very easy to solve. Please note that any cat who is not using the litter box should be checked out by a veterinarian, just to rule out hidden illness.

Keeping It Clean

Rather than getting angry at your wayward cat, it may be time to examine a critical element in the problem – the litter box itself. Cats are very clean animals, and one thing that can drive a cat from his or her litter box is a box that is filthy. Put yourself in your pet’s place and imagine how you would like to use an overflowing toilet; you wouldn’t, so why should your cat. Today’s busy world often leaves us trying to do too much in too little time, but the litter box cannot be neglected.

• Clumping litter is probably the best choice for the litter box. Not only does this kind of material make it easier to remove feces, but it also makes it simple to remove urine. You should use a scoop to take out the clumps at least twice a day, and if you are home most of the time, scoop the box as soon as your cat is finished. Remember to add a bit of new litter to compensate for what was removed.
• The entire box should be changed once a week if you have only one cat using it and at least twice if you have several cats all using the same box. It’s best to provide a box for each cat, however, to prevent one cat from dominating.

Cleaning Up After Accidents

Although you may have read that soap and water or baking soda will remove cat urine odor, they will not. Some of the compounds in cat urine are not water soluble and require an enzyme cleaner to remove the smell completely. You may need to repeat the process several times until all the odor is gone. Your nose will tell you when the job is done.

To learn more on how to stop your cat from spraying get “Cat Spray No More”

This content may contain links to products, software and services. Please assume all such links are affiliate links which may result in my earning commissions and fees.

There is no mistaking the heavy, ammonia smell of cat urine. Whether your cat is simply urinating wherever he or she wishes, or is spraying urine to mark territory, the result will be the same. This is a strong odor that will affect a surprisingly large area of the home, even if the problem area is relatively small. You should actually account yourself lucky if you are able to spot a puddle or a wet area on the rug or upholstery and begin treating it immediately. However, once the urine has dried, in most cases you will have to locate it by smell or by using a black light.

Odor Removal Once the Urine Is Found
Once you find out the problem area, it’s important to take some care to remove the urine as completely as possible; not only for the sake of your nose, but to discourage your cat of thinking of that particular spot as a bathroom.

The organic compounds found in cat urine can pose some problems in removing the odor – some of the compounds are water soluble, but the uric acid not only is capable of binding to adjacent surfaces, but is not soluble by water. When you find fresh urine you should:

• Wipe up the urine from hard surfaces with a paper towel and use the same to blot urine in furniture or rugs. Don’t use cloth unless you are prepared to throw it away afterwards.
• An enzyme cleaner is your best choice for removing cat urine. These cleaners are specifically designed to break down the uric acid into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which will simply off gas naturally afterwards.
• Do not try to hasten the drying process after using an enzyme cleaner since it interrupts the normal dissipation of the ammonia and carbon dioxide.
• Use the best enzyme cleaner possible – inexpensive cleaners often require multiple uses before they remove the odor of cat urine.
• Be generous when applying the cleaner; you should soak the target area to allow the enzymes to really do their job.
• After leaving the cleaner on for approximately a quarter of an hour, blot it up, then let the spot dry naturally.

Although rugs are the usual areas where your cat may urinate, beds, sofas, and clothing can also be sullied. Use the same procedure on these as you did on your rug. Slipcovers and clothing should be washed separately after they have been treated with the enzyme cleaner. Spray marking will be found on a vertical surface such as a door frame or chair leg.

To learn more on how to stop your cat from spraying get “Cat Spray No More“