Photo:nipitphand/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
If your cat is skittish, finicky or prone to health
problems, even the most pristine brand of store-bought holistic cat food may
not be adequate for his needs. A homemade diet tailored to a cat’s individual
temperament is often preferable to commercial products. Preparing homemade
meals for your cat doesn’t take that much extra time once you get the hang of
it. Plus, you never have to worry about pet food recalls-you always know ahead
of time exactly what your kitty is eating and how it was prepared.
Get to know your cat’s eating habits first.
Get a feel for your pet’s eating habits before becoming a natural food chef for felines. Take her to the vet for a check-up even if she seems to be in good health. Once your vet has determined if you cat has medical problems (like diabetes), you can alter homemade meals to treat it. A homemade meal for diabetic cats, for example, may include cooked zucchini, squash or green beans and cooked oatmeal in addition to chicken. These ingredients are designed to boost insulin production and fortify the pancreas.
A homemade diet features both raw and cooked foods. Cats like their food at room temperature or slightly cool. They dislike foods that are too hot or too cold, just like Goldilocks.
Transitioning From Commercial Food to Homemade
Test fresh homemade treats to see what your cat likes, but don’t toss down leftovers from your dinner plate. While that chicken ala king may taste good to you, the sauces or spices in it may contain ingredients harmful to cats. (See list below.)* Create a feline version of baby food for your cat as a homemade starter food. Add vegetable oil and water to a small piece of poultry and puree in a blender. Serve it instead of canned food and see how your pet reacts.
When you discover what your cat likes the most –whether it’s chicken, turkey or beef - cook small chunks of it and add them to the puree -- or to the canned food you’re currently feeding him. This helps him get used to the new tastes without jolting his gastrointestinal tract too much.
While preparing homemade food for your pet, follow the basic nutritional rules by using a combination of poultry, fish, beef and a smidgen of grains and veggies. There are several books and websites about cat nutrition, raw diets and homemade recipes to guide you on the best meals for your kitty. Catinfo.org has plenty of good information, written by a vet who advocates homemade diets.
* Foods cats should never eat:
Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, tea (Obviously!!)
Grapes, raisins, walnuts
Onions, garlic (fresh and in powdered form)
Raw Salmon (which contain harmful bacteria).
Dairy and sugar are harmful if ingested in large amounts. If your cat nibbles at crumbs from a muffin or licks a pat of butter once in awhile, he probably won’t get sick. Just make sure that it doesn’t become a habit.
While it’s doubtful your cats will show much interest in the foods mentioned above, be careful not to leave coffee grounds, tea leaves or half-full glasses of wine where his curiosity will get the best of him. Hide the chocolate, along with the coffee and alcohol. That might go double for one of your crotchety old uncles!
Get to know your cat’s eating habits first.
Get a feel for your pet’s eating habits before becoming a natural food chef for felines. Take her to the vet for a check-up even if she seems to be in good health. Once your vet has determined if you cat has medical problems (like diabetes), you can alter homemade meals to treat it. A homemade meal for diabetic cats, for example, may include cooked zucchini, squash or green beans and cooked oatmeal in addition to chicken. These ingredients are designed to boost insulin production and fortify the pancreas.
A homemade diet features both raw and cooked foods. Cats like their food at room temperature or slightly cool. They dislike foods that are too hot or too cold, just like Goldilocks.
Transitioning From Commercial Food to Homemade
Test fresh homemade treats to see what your cat likes, but don’t toss down leftovers from your dinner plate. While that chicken ala king may taste good to you, the sauces or spices in it may contain ingredients harmful to cats. (See list below.)* Create a feline version of baby food for your cat as a homemade starter food. Add vegetable oil and water to a small piece of poultry and puree in a blender. Serve it instead of canned food and see how your pet reacts.
When you discover what your cat likes the most –whether it’s chicken, turkey or beef - cook small chunks of it and add them to the puree -- or to the canned food you’re currently feeding him. This helps him get used to the new tastes without jolting his gastrointestinal tract too much.
While preparing homemade food for your pet, follow the basic nutritional rules by using a combination of poultry, fish, beef and a smidgen of grains and veggies. There are several books and websites about cat nutrition, raw diets and homemade recipes to guide you on the best meals for your kitty. Catinfo.org has plenty of good information, written by a vet who advocates homemade diets.
* Foods cats should never eat:
Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, tea (Obviously!!)
Grapes, raisins, walnuts
Onions, garlic (fresh and in powdered form)
Raw Salmon (which contain harmful bacteria).
Dairy and sugar are harmful if ingested in large amounts. If your cat nibbles at crumbs from a muffin or licks a pat of butter once in awhile, he probably won’t get sick. Just make sure that it doesn’t become a habit.
While it’s doubtful your cats will show much interest in the foods mentioned above, be careful not to leave coffee grounds, tea leaves or half-full glasses of wine where his curiosity will get the best of him. Hide the chocolate, along with the coffee and alcohol. That might go double for one of your crotchety old uncles!
This article first appeared on Yeepet.com in 2011 (as Jade07)
Copyright 2011 by Jade Blackmore
كشف تسربات المياه بالقطيف
ReplyDeleteمكافحة حشرات بالقطيف
مكافحة النمل الابيض بالقطيف
تسليك مجاري بالقطيف
عزل اسطح بالقطيف
تنظيف مكيفات بالقطيف
فحص فلل قبل الشراء بالقطيف
تنظيف بالقطيف