| Cats aren't dogs and kittens aren't puppies. They | | | | problem that must be taken seriously at any age or |
| need their own food and their own feeding schedule. | | | | activity level is overfeeding. Our modern pets tend to |
| There are some special concerns when it comes to | | | | be pampered, and an over-indulgent owner may be |
| the feline diet. As to quantity, one rule of thumb is | | | | guilty of over-feeding their pet. Excess weight can |
| that active cats require about 1/2 ounce of cat food | | | | lead to serious health problems including heart trouble, |
| per pound of body weight. That would mean four | | | | arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. A vet can advise and |
| ounces for an 8 lb. adult cat with a normal activity | | | | help the caring owner adjust feeding to maintain their |
| level and no special needs. Of course, you don't want | | | | pet at a healthy weight. |
| to feed too much. It is also important to feed a | | | | Kittens, like other young animals, need frequents |
| good-quality pet food. A high-quality food will be full | | | | smaller meals. They may eat a greater quantity of |
| of nutritious ingredients, and not loaded with fillers | | | | food per day than an adult cat, but they need more |
| that may cause harm to your pet. | | | | frequent and smaller feedings. Quite young kittens |
| Cats have some critical requirements when it comes | | | | may do best with three to four small meals a day. |
| to nutrition. For one thing, cats require Taurine, an | | | | As the kitten grows, they may do fine with two or |
| essential amino acid. Unlike dogs and even humans, | | | | three meals a day, and may still eat as much as an |
| cats cannot synthesize Taurine from other nutritional | | | | adult cat. Kittens need good nutrition to support their |
| building blocks. An adequate amount of Taurine must | | | | activity level and their rapid development. They |
| be present in their food. Without it, cats can develop | | | | should be kept at a healthy lean level of body fat, |
| eye problems that can even lead to blindness. Cats | | | | but their bones should not be visible. You can tell be |
| also require Vitamin A, and cannot synthesize their | | | | feeling their ribs. These should be covered with a thin |
| own. Many animals can synthesize Vitamin A from | | | | fat layer. |
| caratenoids, but cats lack this capability. They need | | | | Grown cats often do best on two meals a day. |
| regular amounts of Vitamin A in the diet. One way to | | | | Some cats do fine with on-demand feeding. But |
| provide this is by feeding raw liver. But many humans | | | | many pets will gain weight if all the food they care to |
| and also many cats find this an unacceptable solution. | | | | eat is offered. The owner must use their judgment, |
| An easier way to provide the Vitamin A required by | | | | and consult the vet as well. In addition to good |
| your pet is to add a little cod liver oil to their food, | | | | quality pet food, properly portioned, all cats need |
| from several times a week to once a day. | | | | plenty of fresh water. Plenty of water is basic to |
| The guidelines for feeding that you will find on the | | | | good health. |
| pet food package should be considered only a | | | | If well cared for and feed on a good quality food, |
| general guide to feeding. Many other factors must be | | | | your cat is likely to live a long healthy life. The care |
| considered. An older cat may require less food and | | | | you take in feeding will reward your pet with good |
| perhaps a lighter food as well. Breeds vary in their | | | | health, and will reward you with a perfect companion. |
| requirements, and of course individuals even of a | | | | Playing, purring, or napping, there's no friend like a |
| similar breed may have quite different needs. One | | | | healthy feline friend. |