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Kamis, 04 Februari 2010
Your Cat’s Eating Habits
Cats love their meat. In fact, these furry carnivores must eat meat to maintain their long-term health. Cats require high amounts of amino acids, "building blocks" that prevent disease. Vegetarian diets, therefore, are out of the question for cats.
Kittens (cats less than a year old) need food specially designed for their young systems- with an increased level of the necessary proteins for growing muscles and bones.
Many cats enjoy raiding a dog’s food bowl. However, cats are not small dogs and they have unique dietary needs that dog food products will not provide them. When choosing a food, cat owners should look for one that contains proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Extra vitamin and mineral supplements are not only unnecessary but potentially harmful. Supplements can unbalance a complete and balanced cat food.
Monitor your cat’s water in-take. If your cat doesn’t drink enough water, you should consider feeding your feline friend a moist or canned food diet. The canned food will cause your cat to take in larger amounts of water and they typically contain a higher percentage of protein versus dry food, which is more like their natural diets. Feeding your cat moist or canned food can prevent bladder issues later in life.
Cats are naturally efficient eaters. They typically eat to satisfy their need for energy then stop eating when that energy demand is met. Cats tend to eat small but frequent meals. While most cats will naturally regulate their eating habits, some do over indulge. Since obesity is the most common feline nutritional problem, if your cat needs to lose five or more pounds, visit the veterinarian before you begin a weight loss program.
Many cats eat in cycles, a trait passed down from their wild ancestors that ate depending on the success of the hunt. Do not mistake these peaks and valleys for dissatisfaction with the food. Talk to your veterinarian about what diet is best for your cat.
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pet cat
How to Pet a Cat
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Petting a cat may sound simple, but people who've never spent much time around cats and children should know the do's and don'ts of approaching and touching a cat. Using too much force or speed, or petting it in the wrong spot can agitate some cats, causing him/her to bite or scratch.
Steps
- Let the cat sniff you before petting him/her, so he/she can become comfortable with you. Extend a hand or finger, and allow the cat to touch its nose to your finger(s). If it shows no interest in your hand, or just stares at it suspiciously, reconsider your intention to pet it. Maybe try some other time when the cat may be in a better mood. Some cats just aren't friendly. However, if the cat sniffs your hand and then rubs its chin or the side of its head against it, or brushes the side of its body on you, chances are he/she is open to being petted.
- Pet his/her head lightly with your fingers. Focus on the area between the ears. Use the pads of your fingers and apply gentle pressure. While most cats like scratching, it's not a good idea to try it when you're not familiar with cats in general. You might scratch too hard or too fast. Some cats will get fussy if you scratch them in a way they're not used to. It's very hard, however, to go wrong with petting with your fingers. The only other thing to remember is to go from front to back only.
- While some cats thoroughly enjoy being pet under the chin, others get a little fussy when strangers try.
- Run the palm of your hand from the neck and along the back, all the way until you get to the tail, then begin again. Apply gentle pressure and make it one smooth, slow motion. Don't touch the tail, or move your hand along to the side. If the cat likes what you're doing, it'll arch its back to add more pressure to your hand. When you bring your hand up to the front, it'll rub its forehead firmly against your hand to encourage you to do it again. If the cat cowers away from your hand, or just walks away, stop petting it.
- Keep your petting from the head to the tail, and don't switch directions. Don't pat, either. Some cats enjoy it, but some don't, and if you're not used to being around cats, you're better off not experimenting unless you want to risk getting bitten or scratched.
- You can scratch as your bring your hand down along the back, but don't stop at one spot and scratch there. Keep your hand moving. Many cats likes getting scratched right by the tail, but some have a habit of snapping their teeth at your hand when they've had enough.
- Stay away from the tummy. When cats are relaxed, they might roll onto their back. Don't always take this as an invitation to rub their tummy, as many cats don't like that. Some cats like it, but they interpret it as an invitation to play. They'll wrap their claws around your hand, bite it, and scratch at it with their back paws. This is not always an attack; it's how some cats "wrestle". It's not something you want to try, though, if you're not comfortable with cats, or you don't want to risk breaking skin.
