Answer: This is instinctive behavior, resembling taking the prey somewhere quite to eat it, and it arises frequently in cats fed with large piece of meat. Quite a number of cats prefer to remove food from their dish and to eat it from a piece of paper placed alongside. If the food is moved no further, this may will prove acceptable to you.
The technique recommended for training cat not to remove food from the dish is simply to tell the cat firmly ‘No’ and then to pick up the food and replace it in the dish. This should be repeated as often as is necessary for the cat to get the idea. If this doesn’t work, try serving a very sloppy diet with plenty of added gravy which it will be impossible to carry about.
One item to check is that the side of the feeding bowl is not so high that it touches the animal’s neck and interferes with swallowing.
Showing posts with label feeding and feeding problems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feeding and feeding problems. Show all posts
Q: How can I tempt my cat to eat when she has been ill?
Answer: Animals may have to be coaxed to eat after a serve illness or if, for medical reason, they have to be fed special diet which is not very palatable. In particular, cats suffering from respiratory disorders need to be tempted with foods having strong, distinctive flavors and odors because otherwise they are unable to smell or tests to their food. In general, the flowing should be tried.
1 Feed food with a strong taste and odor such as sardines, kippers, herrings, pilchards, liver, salmon, shellfish, tuna fish, chicken fat, chicken livers, cooked rabbit and fried fish. Any discharge around the nose should be wiped away to enable the animal to smell the foodstuff. If necessary, an inhalant can be used to help clear the nasal passages.
2 Add to an existing diet such flavoring agents as the oil from a can of sardines, meat gravies and meat soups. If the cat will not consume these voluntarily, smearing a little on the nose usually cause the cat to lick it off, thereby providing a first tests which stimulates him to take more. The addition of the pinch of salt to many dishes, including canned foods, will often enhance the flavor and stimulate the appetite.
3 Feed foodstuffs at blood heat rather then cold. All foods have more flavor when heated (which is why foods intended to be served cold, such as ice cream, require a disproportionately large amount of sweetening and flavoring).
In addition, there are available from your vet convalescent diets and food drinks specially prepared for cats, which are rich in nutrients and highly palatable.
Make sure that the feeding dishes are rinsed clean with absolutely no residue of stale food, disinfectant or detergent which could give an unpleasant taste or odor, and feed only a little food at a time.
Such foods as milk puddings, proprietary invalid diets, baby food and chicken, although nutritionally excellent and therefore ideal for the feeding of sick or convalescent animals have a relatively bland or insipid taste and it may prove difficult to persuade cats to eat them. Competition with another animal may sometimes provide the incentive to eat, though care should be taken to see that a weaker animal is not prevented from eating by a more dominant one.
1 Feed food with a strong taste and odor such as sardines, kippers, herrings, pilchards, liver, salmon, shellfish, tuna fish, chicken fat, chicken livers, cooked rabbit and fried fish. Any discharge around the nose should be wiped away to enable the animal to smell the foodstuff. If necessary, an inhalant can be used to help clear the nasal passages.
2 Add to an existing diet such flavoring agents as the oil from a can of sardines, meat gravies and meat soups. If the cat will not consume these voluntarily, smearing a little on the nose usually cause the cat to lick it off, thereby providing a first tests which stimulates him to take more. The addition of the pinch of salt to many dishes, including canned foods, will often enhance the flavor and stimulate the appetite.
3 Feed foodstuffs at blood heat rather then cold. All foods have more flavor when heated (which is why foods intended to be served cold, such as ice cream, require a disproportionately large amount of sweetening and flavoring).
In addition, there are available from your vet convalescent diets and food drinks specially prepared for cats, which are rich in nutrients and highly palatable.
Make sure that the feeding dishes are rinsed clean with absolutely no residue of stale food, disinfectant or detergent which could give an unpleasant taste or odor, and feed only a little food at a time.
Such foods as milk puddings, proprietary invalid diets, baby food and chicken, although nutritionally excellent and therefore ideal for the feeding of sick or convalescent animals have a relatively bland or insipid taste and it may prove difficult to persuade cats to eat them. Competition with another animal may sometimes provide the incentive to eat, though care should be taken to see that a weaker animal is not prevented from eating by a more dominant one.
Q: The vet has said that my cat is overweight and should be slimmed. How should I do this and how will I know when she is slim enough?
Answer: Obesity arises because an animal or, indeed, a human being, consume more food then is needed to supply it with energy and the surplus food is then stored as fat.
Most cats refrain from overeating, though if the owner regularly provides more food then is required, particularly if it is highly palatable, overweighting will be encouraged. Obesity is most likely to effect neutered cats where energy requirements, and therefore food requirements, are less then foe entire animals. In general, if you cannot feel a cat’s ribs it is likely to overweight.
In theory the treatment of the obesity is simple. If less food is provided then the cat need to satisfy its energy requirements, then it will begin to reduce its fat stores. This body fat is used to supply the energy which is deficient in the diet. In practice, the cat may be supplementing its meal at home with food from elsewhere, either prey it catches or meal provide by kindhearted neighbors.
To slim a cat, ad lib feeding, practiced, must be stopped and there must be no giving of tidbits. And little if any milk should be provide because of its fat content. As far as possible other sources of food should be eliminated. Then the cat must be relatively underfed on its normal diet, provide that this has a balanced composition. On suggested regimen for doing this is follows. Weigh the cat in pounds and then, having regard to its breed, age and sex, estimate what it should weigh if it were not overweight. If necessary your vet will help with this estimate. By subtracting one weight from the other find how much overweight the cat is, in pounds. Then multiply this number of pounds by 80. Lastly divide the figure you have just obtained by 100 if you need a dry food, or by 85 for a semi-moist food by 40 for a canned, or home-prepared, diet.
The final figure represents the number of ounces of that food that should be removed from the diet each day, i.e. the daily reduction that must take place.
Weight the cat regularly (at least once a week) and, when it has reached the previously estimated normal weight, its diet should be increased again to prevent any further weight loss. Do this by restoring each day half of the number of ounces of food that you removed originally. This daily ration of food can be fed continuously, probably for the rest of the animal’s life, unless it becomes ill or pregnant or shows any further marked weight change.
Most cats refrain from overeating, though if the owner regularly provides more food then is required, particularly if it is highly palatable, overweighting will be encouraged. Obesity is most likely to effect neutered cats where energy requirements, and therefore food requirements, are less then foe entire animals. In general, if you cannot feel a cat’s ribs it is likely to overweight.
In theory the treatment of the obesity is simple. If less food is provided then the cat need to satisfy its energy requirements, then it will begin to reduce its fat stores. This body fat is used to supply the energy which is deficient in the diet. In practice, the cat may be supplementing its meal at home with food from elsewhere, either prey it catches or meal provide by kindhearted neighbors.
To slim a cat, ad lib feeding, practiced, must be stopped and there must be no giving of tidbits. And little if any milk should be provide because of its fat content. As far as possible other sources of food should be eliminated. Then the cat must be relatively underfed on its normal diet, provide that this has a balanced composition. On suggested regimen for doing this is follows. Weigh the cat in pounds and then, having regard to its breed, age and sex, estimate what it should weigh if it were not overweight. If necessary your vet will help with this estimate. By subtracting one weight from the other find how much overweight the cat is, in pounds. Then multiply this number of pounds by 80. Lastly divide the figure you have just obtained by 100 if you need a dry food, or by 85 for a semi-moist food by 40 for a canned, or home-prepared, diet.
The final figure represents the number of ounces of that food that should be removed from the diet each day, i.e. the daily reduction that must take place.
Weight the cat regularly (at least once a week) and, when it has reached the previously estimated normal weight, its diet should be increased again to prevent any further weight loss. Do this by restoring each day half of the number of ounces of food that you removed originally. This daily ration of food can be fed continuously, probably for the rest of the animal’s life, unless it becomes ill or pregnant or shows any further marked weight change.
Q: My cat seems very fond of chewing grass. Will it do her any harm?
Answer: Although cats are essentially meat eaters, they will eat a litter grass from time to time if given the opportunity, especially young growing grass. It may be that the purpose is to obtain additional minerals or vitamins. For instance, cooked meat diets are often rather low in their content of folic acid, a member of the vitamin B group, which is present in grass. It also seems likely that it is eaten to provide fibrous bulk in the diet, possibly to avoid constipation. Certainly in the wild cats eat grass, and also the innards of grass-eating animals which they have killed. Some domestic cats will even eat other plants such as young runner beans, house plants flowers in a vase.
Cats suffering from some alimentary disturbance will often consume a lot of grass and vomit afterwards; i.e. they use grass as a natural emetic. Presumably, they do this because they feel nauseous and wish to provoke vomiting in order to obtain some relief.
Therefore, although it’s not absolutely essential, there certainly seems to be no harm in your cat eating grass, unless of course the grass has previously been treated with herbicide. It is, however, possible to purchase kits for growing a tray of grass indoor which avoids the dangers of toxic spray and provides a convenient source of grass for burn cats, particularly those which need to be trained not to eat house plants.
Cats suffering from some alimentary disturbance will often consume a lot of grass and vomit afterwards; i.e. they use grass as a natural emetic. Presumably, they do this because they feel nauseous and wish to provoke vomiting in order to obtain some relief.
Therefore, although it’s not absolutely essential, there certainly seems to be no harm in your cat eating grass, unless of course the grass has previously been treated with herbicide. It is, however, possible to purchase kits for growing a tray of grass indoor which avoids the dangers of toxic spray and provides a convenient source of grass for burn cats, particularly those which need to be trained not to eat house plants.
Q: We are a committed vegetarian family. Can we feed our cat a vegetarian diet without harming her?
Answer: I’m fried the answer must be no if you want your cat to remain healthy. The cat has definite need for a high protein diet some of which, at least must come from animal sources. This is because, unlike most mammals, cats can not regulate the rate at which they break down and eliminate protein. Other mammals fed a diet low in protein will reduce the rate which they break down the protein in order to conserve it, but this is not the case with the cat. It seems probable that, because cats their evolutionary development were always strict carnivores feeding on a meat diet, there was never any need for selection to be based on ability to conserve protein. Indeed, because meat is low in carbohydrate, it would be an advantage for cat to have an efficient mechanism that could break down protein in order to provide glucose to act as a source of energy.
There are, of coerce many foods other then meat which contain protein and it is possible to maintain dogs in good health by feeding proteins solely of vegetable origin.
All protein made up of a number of smaller units called amino acids. Altogether there are twenty different amino acids and each type of protein consists of an arrangement of only some of them. In dogs and cats ten of the amino acids are essential for the proper growth and functioning of the body and unless the diet provide all ten of these in adequate amounts then some nutritional disease will develop. Digestible protein which contain all ten essential amino acids in the ideal proportions for use by the body are described as having a high biological value (high quality protein or first class proteins). The best is egg protein, but most other animal-derived protein also have a high biological value. However, proteins from plants or of lower biological value although still useful, but, if properly combined, all the essential amino acids can be supplied from plant source.
In addition to these ten essential amino acids there is anther one, taurine, which must appear in the diet of the cats. This amino acids is necessary to prevent degeneration of the retina in the eye which would lead eventually to blindness. Most mammals, but not the cat, can make sufficient taurine within their bodies out of other amino acids. Since only protein foods of animal origin contain sufficient quantities of taurine it is clear that to maintain good health at least some of the protein in the cat’s diet must be animal origin.
Secondly, let us consider role of the fats. Fats make food palatable, provide a source of energy and help transport the first soluble vitamins. In addition they supply substances known as essential fatty acids, which are necessary for nutrition because they are used in making new cells and in synthesizing prostaglandins. Of the three essential fatty acids, one, linoleic acid, is widely present in the vegetable oils and most mammals have the ability to manufacture the other two essential fatty acids from linoleic acid. However, the cat does not possess this ability, and since the other two fatty acids are only found in animal fat must appear in the cat’s diet. Also, he have already seen that the cat is unable to make vitamin A from plant source; it must be amiable performed in animal tissues.
Therefore, with a proven need for protein, fat and vitamin A of animal origin, a strictly vegetarian diet for the cat is out of the question.
There are, of coerce many foods other then meat which contain protein and it is possible to maintain dogs in good health by feeding proteins solely of vegetable origin.
All protein made up of a number of smaller units called amino acids. Altogether there are twenty different amino acids and each type of protein consists of an arrangement of only some of them. In dogs and cats ten of the amino acids are essential for the proper growth and functioning of the body and unless the diet provide all ten of these in adequate amounts then some nutritional disease will develop. Digestible protein which contain all ten essential amino acids in the ideal proportions for use by the body are described as having a high biological value (high quality protein or first class proteins). The best is egg protein, but most other animal-derived protein also have a high biological value. However, proteins from plants or of lower biological value although still useful, but, if properly combined, all the essential amino acids can be supplied from plant source.
In addition to these ten essential amino acids there is anther one, taurine, which must appear in the diet of the cats. This amino acids is necessary to prevent degeneration of the retina in the eye which would lead eventually to blindness. Most mammals, but not the cat, can make sufficient taurine within their bodies out of other amino acids. Since only protein foods of animal origin contain sufficient quantities of taurine it is clear that to maintain good health at least some of the protein in the cat’s diet must be animal origin.
Secondly, let us consider role of the fats. Fats make food palatable, provide a source of energy and help transport the first soluble vitamins. In addition they supply substances known as essential fatty acids, which are necessary for nutrition because they are used in making new cells and in synthesizing prostaglandins. Of the three essential fatty acids, one, linoleic acid, is widely present in the vegetable oils and most mammals have the ability to manufacture the other two essential fatty acids from linoleic acid. However, the cat does not possess this ability, and since the other two fatty acids are only found in animal fat must appear in the cat’s diet. Also, he have already seen that the cat is unable to make vitamin A from plant source; it must be amiable performed in animal tissues.
Therefore, with a proven need for protein, fat and vitamin A of animal origin, a strictly vegetarian diet for the cat is out of the question.
Q: Is it all right to feed my cat on the special pet meat I can buy at the pet shop or frozen food store?
Answer: Frozen pet meat is quite acceptable but it should allowed to thaw out before being cooked lightly (i.e. boiled for fifteen minutes) to allow the heat penetrate all of the meat.
There are a number of pet meat preparations in which the meat is minced, mixed, compressed and presented in the form of a large slab. These foods contain a chemical preservative to discourage the growth of bacteria and moulds. At one time benzoic acid was widely used as the preservative but it was found that this accumulated in the body and caused cats to become hyper aesthetic and sometimes aggressive. If used at high levels it even produced convulsions and death. As a result reputable manufactures switched to sinning sorbic acid as the preservative and at effective levels this appears to be entirely safe. As a general rule though, if a cat being fed this type of pet meat product should develop abnormal behavior and nervous sight, it would be prudent to discontinue feeding this food until the matter can be investigated and the product declared safe.
There are a number of pet meat preparations in which the meat is minced, mixed, compressed and presented in the form of a large slab. These foods contain a chemical preservative to discourage the growth of bacteria and moulds. At one time benzoic acid was widely used as the preservative but it was found that this accumulated in the body and caused cats to become hyper aesthetic and sometimes aggressive. If used at high levels it even produced convulsions and death. As a result reputable manufactures switched to sinning sorbic acid as the preservative and at effective levels this appears to be entirely safe. As a general rule though, if a cat being fed this type of pet meat product should develop abnormal behavior and nervous sight, it would be prudent to discontinue feeding this food until the matter can be investigated and the product declared safe.
Q: Are cats ever allergic to certain foods?
Answer: Fortunately, true allergic responses to foods are uncommon in cats, though it seems that the some cats are allergic to the proteins in cow’s milk. Many reactions to foods are caused not by an inability to digest or absorb a particular food, so that in large amounts the food produced diarrhea or sickness. However, in the case of true allergic even small amount of the particular food will be sufficient to trigger the allergy, provided that a minimum of ten days has elapsed from the time that type of food was first consumed by the cat This is necessary for the cat’s body to produce sufficient antibody to give a reaction, At other times the apparent food allergy is in fact a reaction to some disease producing organism or to drug.
Discovering the food responsible for the allergic reaction involves feeding a variety of different meal and noting the response. This can be a tedious process but when the causal foodstuff is absent an improvement is usually noted within three to five days.
Discovering the food responsible for the allergic reaction involves feeding a variety of different meal and noting the response. This can be a tedious process but when the causal foodstuff is absent an improvement is usually noted within three to five days.
Q: Is it an old wives’ tale that feeding fish to a cat is harmful?
Answer: Well, so much fish has been fed to cats so many years that it is difficult to believe that it could be harmful. Essentially fish is, of course, a valuable source of protein in the diet. But, perhaps surprisingly, there are some disorders of cats that can arise specifically from eating fish.
Firstly, several varieties of raw fish contain high level of the enzyme thiaminase which will destroy the vitamin B1 present in other foods in the diet. Eventually the lack of this vitamin could result in the cat losing its appetite and showing nervous signs. Cooking the fish destroys this enzyme.
Eating infected raw fish from certain areas can transmit specific disease producing organisms to cats: the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium Latium from the fresh water fish in, for example, Northern Ireland, and bacteria from the salmon and trout causing ‘salmon poisoning’ in the Pacific North-west of the America. Again in North America and South Africa the eating of the crayfish can transmit a lung fluke parafonisum kellicotti to the cat. And the livers of some marine fish contain substance which, if uncooked, will damage the nervous system.
In areas where the river water or sea water is heavily polluted with the agricultural or industrial wastes, toxic substance can become concentrated via of a food chain in the bodies of fish which are sometimes offered for sale. If eaten, raw or cooked, poisoning with herbicides, insecticides or one of the heavy metals could follow.
A diet deficient in vitamin E and reach in unsterilized polyunsaturated fat can result in the fat strong cells beneath the skin becoming inflamed. Pressure in the skin causes pain and so the cat naturally resent handling. The diet most commonly at fault is one containing large quantities of canned red tuna fish, but other fish, particularly oily varieties, and even large amount of horsemeat, are sometime responsible. However today, sufficient vitamin E is added to most commercial tuna fish products to prevent this disease occurring.
On the credit side, on disease properly thought to be due to feeding but now known not to be, is similarly dermatitis, or military eczema, previously called ‘fish eczema’ or ‘fish eater’ eczema. The multiple small skin eruptions, which eventually rupture producing crusty scabs accompanied by intense skin irritation, are in fact due to an allergic reaction to the bites of fleas.
Firstly, several varieties of raw fish contain high level of the enzyme thiaminase which will destroy the vitamin B1 present in other foods in the diet. Eventually the lack of this vitamin could result in the cat losing its appetite and showing nervous signs. Cooking the fish destroys this enzyme.
Eating infected raw fish from certain areas can transmit specific disease producing organisms to cats: the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium Latium from the fresh water fish in, for example, Northern Ireland, and bacteria from the salmon and trout causing ‘salmon poisoning’ in the Pacific North-west of the America. Again in North America and South Africa the eating of the crayfish can transmit a lung fluke parafonisum kellicotti to the cat. And the livers of some marine fish contain substance which, if uncooked, will damage the nervous system.
In areas where the river water or sea water is heavily polluted with the agricultural or industrial wastes, toxic substance can become concentrated via of a food chain in the bodies of fish which are sometimes offered for sale. If eaten, raw or cooked, poisoning with herbicides, insecticides or one of the heavy metals could follow.
A diet deficient in vitamin E and reach in unsterilized polyunsaturated fat can result in the fat strong cells beneath the skin becoming inflamed. Pressure in the skin causes pain and so the cat naturally resent handling. The diet most commonly at fault is one containing large quantities of canned red tuna fish, but other fish, particularly oily varieties, and even large amount of horsemeat, are sometime responsible. However today, sufficient vitamin E is added to most commercial tuna fish products to prevent this disease occurring.
On the credit side, on disease properly thought to be due to feeding but now known not to be, is similarly dermatitis, or military eczema, previously called ‘fish eczema’ or ‘fish eater’ eczema. The multiple small skin eruptions, which eventually rupture producing crusty scabs accompanied by intense skin irritation, are in fact due to an allergic reaction to the bites of fleas.
Q: Does it do my cat any harm to eat things he has caught such as mice, insects, birds and worms?
Answer: The hunting instinct is strong in cats but, although this constitutes perfectly natural behavior, unfortunately their prey may be harmful in a number of respects.
The first of these is the transmission of parasites. As will be seen latter there are a number of parasites of the cat which use another animal species in which to undergo part of their life cycle. When such an infected animal eaten by the cat, the parasite(s) gains entry to the cat’s body and can develop there. Mice rats can act as hosts for the cystic stage of the tapeworm and for larvae of the two roundworm larvae are also found in other species which may eaten by the cat, such as earthworms, birds and rabbits.
Slugs and animal often cry the level of the feline lungworm. Although at time they mat be eaten by a cat, it is more likely that slugs and snail will be eaten by such species as birds, rodents, frog or snakes and that the cat will, in turn, eat one of these. The lungworm larvae transfer from each of these species to the one that has consumed it, until they reach of their final host-the cat.
Almost any animal species can carry stages of the microscopic coccidian parasite Toxoplasma Gondi whose final host is again a cat. These intermediate hosts include birds, rodents, earthworms and flies, as will as all the meat producing animals and even man. There are other similar coccidian with simpler life cycles which again in fact the cat though the eating of rodents, etc
All of these parasites have developed life cycle which depend upon the cat’s ability to catch and eat its prey so that they may spared and ensure their survival. Only the lungworm and Toxoplasma usually present any really serious health risks to the cat, but many of the parasites present public health risks.
Another hazard is that by eating rodents which are already dead or dying from the effects of rat poison the cat itself can become poisoned. This is thought to be the most common way in which cats become poisoned by rodenticides. In general they are much more fastidious then dogs and are therefore less likely to consume rat are mouse bait directly, although at times this happens either out of the animal’s inquisitiveness about the presence of the poison in its territory, or because it develops a liking for a particular poison and deliberately seeks it out. Examples of such ‘addictable’ poison are the rodent poison alphachloralose, and metaldehyde which is contained in slug pellets.
Although not really to be regarded as prey, the wasps and bees which cats occasionally chase and catch in the mouth can of course produce a painful sting. If the tongue is stung it may swell and block the back of the throat, necessitating immediate first aid treatment.
The first of these is the transmission of parasites. As will be seen latter there are a number of parasites of the cat which use another animal species in which to undergo part of their life cycle. When such an infected animal eaten by the cat, the parasite(s) gains entry to the cat’s body and can develop there. Mice rats can act as hosts for the cystic stage of the tapeworm and for larvae of the two roundworm larvae are also found in other species which may eaten by the cat, such as earthworms, birds and rabbits.
Slugs and animal often cry the level of the feline lungworm. Although at time they mat be eaten by a cat, it is more likely that slugs and snail will be eaten by such species as birds, rodents, frog or snakes and that the cat will, in turn, eat one of these. The lungworm larvae transfer from each of these species to the one that has consumed it, until they reach of their final host-the cat.
Almost any animal species can carry stages of the microscopic coccidian parasite Toxoplasma Gondi whose final host is again a cat. These intermediate hosts include birds, rodents, earthworms and flies, as will as all the meat producing animals and even man. There are other similar coccidian with simpler life cycles which again in fact the cat though the eating of rodents, etc
All of these parasites have developed life cycle which depend upon the cat’s ability to catch and eat its prey so that they may spared and ensure their survival. Only the lungworm and Toxoplasma usually present any really serious health risks to the cat, but many of the parasites present public health risks.
Another hazard is that by eating rodents which are already dead or dying from the effects of rat poison the cat itself can become poisoned. This is thought to be the most common way in which cats become poisoned by rodenticides. In general they are much more fastidious then dogs and are therefore less likely to consume rat are mouse bait directly, although at times this happens either out of the animal’s inquisitiveness about the presence of the poison in its territory, or because it develops a liking for a particular poison and deliberately seeks it out. Examples of such ‘addictable’ poison are the rodent poison alphachloralose, and metaldehyde which is contained in slug pellets.
Although not really to be regarded as prey, the wasps and bees which cats occasionally chase and catch in the mouth can of course produce a painful sting. If the tongue is stung it may swell and block the back of the throat, necessitating immediate first aid treatment.
Q: Should I give my cat bones to chew?
Answer: Opinions tend to be divided on this matter. Certainly in the wild a cat will consume all of its prey with the exception of plucked feathers, hairs and some small pieces of bone. The majority of the bones, are eaten and provide valuable source of calcium. These bones, of course, are small and uncooked and seldom seem to cause problems by lodging in or piercing part of the digestive tract.
If a cat is receiving a balanced commercial diet, or a bone meal supplement with a home prepared diet, it will already be receiving a adequate calcium and therefore will not actually need to consume bones, However, there is no doubt that many cats enjoy chewing bones and the exercise which is provides for the teeth is valuable in preventing an accumulation of tartar which may lead to periodontal disease, particularly if the animal usually receives a ‘wet’ diet. In practice bone seldom become wedged or splinter internally. Usually, any problems are associated with fish bones or which cooked bones, e.g. rib bones occasionally get wedged across the roof of the mouth between the large upper teeth, or a canine tooth may ‘spear’ a vertebra which is animal then has difficulty in dislodging.
Some nutrition lists actually advise feeding cooked bones with the musicale meat, e.g. in chicken or rabbit; other advise cooking bones separately and then mincing them before adding them to rest of the food. Irregular bones are best avoided and it is always advisable to remove the small needle-shaped banes from fish.
However, the benefits of bones can be provided in other ways; bone meal is an alternative source of calcium, and dental exercise can be provided by chewing at a hard biscuit or a rawhide ‘chew’ or by the regular feeding of dry cat food. Any bone deliberately provided should preferably be uncooked, relatively large (e.g. part of a limb bone) and not irregular or easily splintered.
If a cat is receiving a balanced commercial diet, or a bone meal supplement with a home prepared diet, it will already be receiving a adequate calcium and therefore will not actually need to consume bones, However, there is no doubt that many cats enjoy chewing bones and the exercise which is provides for the teeth is valuable in preventing an accumulation of tartar which may lead to periodontal disease, particularly if the animal usually receives a ‘wet’ diet. In practice bone seldom become wedged or splinter internally. Usually, any problems are associated with fish bones or which cooked bones, e.g. rib bones occasionally get wedged across the roof of the mouth between the large upper teeth, or a canine tooth may ‘spear’ a vertebra which is animal then has difficulty in dislodging.
Some nutrition lists actually advise feeding cooked bones with the musicale meat, e.g. in chicken or rabbit; other advise cooking bones separately and then mincing them before adding them to rest of the food. Irregular bones are best avoided and it is always advisable to remove the small needle-shaped banes from fish.
However, the benefits of bones can be provided in other ways; bone meal is an alternative source of calcium, and dental exercise can be provided by chewing at a hard biscuit or a rawhide ‘chew’ or by the regular feeding of dry cat food. Any bone deliberately provided should preferably be uncooked, relatively large (e.g. part of a limb bone) and not irregular or easily splintered.
Q: Is some supplementation of my cat’s diet ever required?
Answer: Well, a reputable commercial diet fed according to the manufacturer’s instructions will almost certainly supply adequate levels of vitamins and mineral and should not require any supplementation. In fact, precise amount of vitamins B1 and A are added to compensate for the losses that occur during manufacture and storage. A varied and balanced home prepared diet will also need no supplementation, though supplementation of an unbalanced home prepared diet, such as one base primarily on muscle meat, is required, but only in respect of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin B. For an adult cat sufficient calcium and phosphorus can be provide by adding to each 8 oz (250g) of meat 1/8 oz of sterilized bone meal or some alternative proprietary supplement. Vitamin B should be provided by giving your cat two brewer’s yeast tablets daily.
A bone prepared meat of fish diet for kittens, which is fed from when they first begin to take solid food up to six months of ages, should be supplemented of each day with ¼ oz of sterilized bone male (bone flour), a half to one brewers’ yeast tablet and one to two drops of cod-liver oil. Greater amounts then these could be harmful.
A bone prepared meat of fish diet for kittens, which is fed from when they first begin to take solid food up to six months of ages, should be supplemented of each day with ¼ oz of sterilized bone male (bone flour), a half to one brewers’ yeast tablet and one to two drops of cod-liver oil. Greater amounts then these could be harmful.
Q: Does my cat need extra vitamins and minerals?
Answer: Cats seem to have no specific need for vitamins K and can normally make sufficient vitamins C within their bodies; therefore these vitamins are not required in the diet. The cat’s requirement for vitamin D in the diet is small when compared with that of dogs and humans. Cats differ for more mammals in not being able to convert carotenoids in plants (e.g. carrots) into vitamins A and therefore this vitamin must be supplied-for example in liver, kidney or fish oils. Overall, most diet will contain sufficient vitamins, with the possible exception of vitamin B, although some additional vitamin A should be provided for kittens in the form of cod-liver oil.
The animals needed from the diet are present in most foodstuffs in amounts sufficient to meet the cat’s requirement, although muscle meat and organ meat are relatively deficient in calcium.
Cod-liver oil is a convenient source of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, but because these vitamins are stored, i.e. accumulate in the body, too much create problems. An excess of vitamin A in the cat causes painful abnormalities of the spine and limb bones. Excess vitamin D can retard growth, case malformed teeth and jaws and lead to changes in other organs. Greatly excessive quantities of vitamin E may also be harmful, impairing blood clotting, and too much vitamin K can cause jaundice. However, these appear to be no ill-effects from giving excessive amounts of the water soluble vitamins, vitamin B and vitamin. C.
Bone meal contains calcium and phosphorus which is excess can cause a verity of skeletal abnormalities and joint problems with lameness especially in growing animals. Anemia due to iron deficiency is an extremely rare occurrence in the cat and consequently there is no need for the routine iron supplementation. Other supplements, such as seaweed powder to supply iodine, are unnecessary; fish is reach in iodine. The huge verity of commercial vitamin and mineral supplement are no more necessary, and no suffer in excess, then the simple substances mentioned above.
The animals needed from the diet are present in most foodstuffs in amounts sufficient to meet the cat’s requirement, although muscle meat and organ meat are relatively deficient in calcium.
Cod-liver oil is a convenient source of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E, but because these vitamins are stored, i.e. accumulate in the body, too much create problems. An excess of vitamin A in the cat causes painful abnormalities of the spine and limb bones. Excess vitamin D can retard growth, case malformed teeth and jaws and lead to changes in other organs. Greatly excessive quantities of vitamin E may also be harmful, impairing blood clotting, and too much vitamin K can cause jaundice. However, these appear to be no ill-effects from giving excessive amounts of the water soluble vitamins, vitamin B and vitamin. C.
Bone meal contains calcium and phosphorus which is excess can cause a verity of skeletal abnormalities and joint problems with lameness especially in growing animals. Anemia due to iron deficiency is an extremely rare occurrence in the cat and consequently there is no need for the routine iron supplementation. Other supplements, such as seaweed powder to supply iodine, are unnecessary; fish is reach in iodine. The huge verity of commercial vitamin and mineral supplement are no more necessary, and no suffer in excess, then the simple substances mentioned above.
Q: I have read a lot in the press about dry cat foods. Is it true that they are harmful?
Answer: Dry cat foods are usually well accepted by cats, content adequate amounts is essential nutrients, give ‘exercise’ to the teeth thereby reducing the deposition of tartar and are convenient to feed in that they can be left down all day for ad lib feeding.
However, the feeding of dry cat foods has been associated with the formation of plugs of crystalline material in the urinary tract. Plugs of this paste block the urethra of male cats as it goes through the pains. This condition is known as the feline urological syndrome; FUS for short. An effected male licks his pains and strains to pass urine. In the early stage he may pass a little, stained with blood, but when obstruction is complete no urine is pass and the cat shows signs of worsening renal failure, including depression, loss of appetite and vomiting.
In fairness it must be said that other cause of FUS have been suspected, the major one being viral infection and it seems probable that both diet and infection are important in producing it. Castration early in life was suspected, but is now known not to be cause.
There seem to be two main ways in which dry cat foods can assist the development of FUS. One is by causing a reduction in the cat’s water intake. The natural prey of cats contain about 70% of water the same as most canned foods whereas dry foods contain only 8 to 10% water. Careful measurements have shown that, even when ample fresh drinking water is available, the total amount of water is taken in by cats food is much less then that taken by cats fed canned food. With less water is being taken in, the urine becomes more concentrated, and this favors the precipitation of salt in the urine to from the crystalline plug.
Secondly, some dry cat foods used to contain a high level of magnesium salts. Eventually these salts appeared in the urine and contributed to the formation of the crystals, which are composed are magnesium ammonium phosphate. Fallowing an appreciation of the problems, the magnesium content of these foods has been reduced. However, high magnesium levels are naturally present in certain foods, notably fish and beef. The level of in these foodstuffs can be three times those in fish roes, eggs, tripe and conned cats foods.
Cats that have suffered from FUS in the past are the best not fed on a dry cat food, but on a canned product, or food boiled at home, with some additional water mashed into it. If dry food is fed is should be thoroughly soaked in water, milk or gravy to from a sloppy porridge before being presented to the cat. Extra salt should be added to all food given to these animals to stimulate the drinking of more water. Many manufactures now routinely add more salt to their dry diets (up to 3 ½%) to increase water consumption. Clean water should be available at all times. In some case your vet will provide tablet for the cat to take to make its urine more acid, which helps prevent these crystals forming.
Regular exercise with plenty of opportunities to urinate also helps to reduce the chance of FUS recurring. Regular urination avoids large volumes of urine remaining in the bladder for long periods during which the salts are able to precipitate out. Obese, lethargic and elderly cats are less likely then other to exercise and urinate frequently, and it is recommended that these animals should also not be fed regularly on dry foods.
However, the feeding of dry cat foods has been associated with the formation of plugs of crystalline material in the urinary tract. Plugs of this paste block the urethra of male cats as it goes through the pains. This condition is known as the feline urological syndrome; FUS for short. An effected male licks his pains and strains to pass urine. In the early stage he may pass a little, stained with blood, but when obstruction is complete no urine is pass and the cat shows signs of worsening renal failure, including depression, loss of appetite and vomiting.
In fairness it must be said that other cause of FUS have been suspected, the major one being viral infection and it seems probable that both diet and infection are important in producing it. Castration early in life was suspected, but is now known not to be cause.
There seem to be two main ways in which dry cat foods can assist the development of FUS. One is by causing a reduction in the cat’s water intake. The natural prey of cats contain about 70% of water the same as most canned foods whereas dry foods contain only 8 to 10% water. Careful measurements have shown that, even when ample fresh drinking water is available, the total amount of water is taken in by cats food is much less then that taken by cats fed canned food. With less water is being taken in, the urine becomes more concentrated, and this favors the precipitation of salt in the urine to from the crystalline plug.
Secondly, some dry cat foods used to contain a high level of magnesium salts. Eventually these salts appeared in the urine and contributed to the formation of the crystals, which are composed are magnesium ammonium phosphate. Fallowing an appreciation of the problems, the magnesium content of these foods has been reduced. However, high magnesium levels are naturally present in certain foods, notably fish and beef. The level of in these foodstuffs can be three times those in fish roes, eggs, tripe and conned cats foods.
Cats that have suffered from FUS in the past are the best not fed on a dry cat food, but on a canned product, or food boiled at home, with some additional water mashed into it. If dry food is fed is should be thoroughly soaked in water, milk or gravy to from a sloppy porridge before being presented to the cat. Extra salt should be added to all food given to these animals to stimulate the drinking of more water. Many manufactures now routinely add more salt to their dry diets (up to 3 ½%) to increase water consumption. Clean water should be available at all times. In some case your vet will provide tablet for the cat to take to make its urine more acid, which helps prevent these crystals forming.
Regular exercise with plenty of opportunities to urinate also helps to reduce the chance of FUS recurring. Regular urination avoids large volumes of urine remaining in the bladder for long periods during which the salts are able to precipitate out. Obese, lethargic and elderly cats are less likely then other to exercise and urinate frequently, and it is recommended that these animals should also not be fed regularly on dry foods.
Q: My cat seems to prefer milk to water. Should I not bother giving her water?
Answer: Many cats do prefer the test of milk to that of water, but this doesn’t mean there is any to provide milk. Milk consists mainly of water, though it is useful source of calcium and contains other nutrients. But it is supplies nothing that can not be obtained more cheaply from other foods. A cat receiving a good balanced diet has no nutrition requirement for milk, so that if it is provide at all it should be given as a treat after the cat has eaten its normal ration.
Perhaps surprisingly, many adult cats (including a high protection of oriental, breeds, particularly Siamese) are intolerant of cow’s milk and get severe diarrhea if they consume it. There are two possible reasons for this diarrhea. Certainly many cats have deficiency of the enzyme lactase needed to digest milk sugar. But some cats appear to be able to consume other types of milk (e.g. goat’s milk which also contains lactose) without getting diarrhea, and it is probable that these animals have an allergy to the protein in cow’s milk. Clearly, if this intolerance is suspected it would be wise not to feed any milk or any other dairy products to your cat. And it may in fact account for why so many Siamese are unwilling to drink milk.
Milk should not be regarded as a substitute for water and, regardless of whether milk is also provided, a bowl of fresh water should always be available so that the cat can satisfy its normal water requirements.
Perhaps surprisingly, many adult cats (including a high protection of oriental, breeds, particularly Siamese) are intolerant of cow’s milk and get severe diarrhea if they consume it. There are two possible reasons for this diarrhea. Certainly many cats have deficiency of the enzyme lactase needed to digest milk sugar. But some cats appear to be able to consume other types of milk (e.g. goat’s milk which also contains lactose) without getting diarrhea, and it is probable that these animals have an allergy to the protein in cow’s milk. Clearly, if this intolerance is suspected it would be wise not to feed any milk or any other dairy products to your cat. And it may in fact account for why so many Siamese are unwilling to drink milk.
Milk should not be regarded as a substitute for water and, regardless of whether milk is also provided, a bowl of fresh water should always be available so that the cat can satisfy its normal water requirements.
Q: My cat never seems to drink anything. Is this harmful?
Answer: If your cat is receiving mainly ‘wet’ diet, then his low water intake almost certainly is not harmful. A low intake usually indicates that the normal body mechanisms for conserving water are working efficiently.
The water required to replace that lost from body in the urine, expired air and the motions is obtained from three sources. Firstly, liquids that are drunk, secondly, moisture in the food and thirdly, ‘metabolic’ water. Metabolic water is water that is created within the body when food is oxidized to produce the energy, and the amount produced is usually fairly constant.
Diets on the other hand can very greatly their water content. Canned foods will captain around 75% water, while at the other extreme dry foods may contain only 8% water. An adult cat of 7 lb (3kg) receiving a ‘wet’ diet will only need to drink about I ¾ fl oz (30 to 50 ml) of water per day to make good its losses; even less if the food has been boiled at home and serve with some of the cooking water. If any additional liquid it could easily be met by a saucerful of milk or water consumed by the cat outdoors e.g. from puddles or guttering. But on a dry diet, up to seven time this quantity of water would need to be drunk. Unfortunately, the often does not adjust its water intake sufficiently to compensate for alternation in the water content of its food. An important factor in the development of blockages in the urinary tract of male cats is their inadequate water intake when receiving a dry diet. Therefore a low water intake by a cat being fed on dry food could harmful and should receive attention.
However, regardless of the type of diet being fed, a bowl of clean water should always be available for the cat. As far as possible discourage drinking from other sources (the skin, toilet bowl, puddles) which could assist in the transmission of disease.
The water required to replace that lost from body in the urine, expired air and the motions is obtained from three sources. Firstly, liquids that are drunk, secondly, moisture in the food and thirdly, ‘metabolic’ water. Metabolic water is water that is created within the body when food is oxidized to produce the energy, and the amount produced is usually fairly constant.
Diets on the other hand can very greatly their water content. Canned foods will captain around 75% water, while at the other extreme dry foods may contain only 8% water. An adult cat of 7 lb (3kg) receiving a ‘wet’ diet will only need to drink about I ¾ fl oz (30 to 50 ml) of water per day to make good its losses; even less if the food has been boiled at home and serve with some of the cooking water. If any additional liquid it could easily be met by a saucerful of milk or water consumed by the cat outdoors e.g. from puddles or guttering. But on a dry diet, up to seven time this quantity of water would need to be drunk. Unfortunately, the often does not adjust its water intake sufficiently to compensate for alternation in the water content of its food. An important factor in the development of blockages in the urinary tract of male cats is their inadequate water intake when receiving a dry diet. Therefore a low water intake by a cat being fed on dry food could harmful and should receive attention.
However, regardless of the type of diet being fed, a bowl of clean water should always be available for the cat. As far as possible discourage drinking from other sources (the skin, toilet bowl, puddles) which could assist in the transmission of disease.
Q: Should I let my cat drink as much water as he wants?
Answer: The short answer is yes- unless he is vomiting.
In every case accept one cats drink to replace water which has already been lost from the body. If you do not allow them to make up for the loss, whether it has arisen normally or as a result of disease, they will become dehydrated. A total lack of water will cause problem much more rapidly then the lack of any other component of the diet such as protein or fat. Therefore a bowl of clean water must always be available.
Animals which continually have an excessive thirst are almost certainly suffering from some disorder that should be investigated by your vet. In these disorders the body loss water more rapidly then usual, i.e. cannot retain it, so that the cat produce more urine then usual. The cat often has difficulty in holding all this urine in the bladder over a long period of time, e.g. overnight, so that it frequently goes out to urinate or uses its litter box. Some owners mistakenly think that the answer to this problem is to withhold water from the cat, not realizing that they prevent the animal making good the heavy losses which have occurred and provoke the onset of dehydration, thereby the making the illness worse. If the cat has an increased thirst always take it for veterinary attention.
Only withhold water from the animal if it vomits. Vomiting is most often due to some irritation of the lining of the stomach which causes the stomach contents to be rejected. The loss of the water and salts in the vomit makes the animal very thirsty so that it wants to drink, but the presence of water in the stomach provokes further vomiting. In this way a cycle of drinking and vomiting can develop which may lead to serve dehydration and collapse.
In every case accept one cats drink to replace water which has already been lost from the body. If you do not allow them to make up for the loss, whether it has arisen normally or as a result of disease, they will become dehydrated. A total lack of water will cause problem much more rapidly then the lack of any other component of the diet such as protein or fat. Therefore a bowl of clean water must always be available.
Animals which continually have an excessive thirst are almost certainly suffering from some disorder that should be investigated by your vet. In these disorders the body loss water more rapidly then usual, i.e. cannot retain it, so that the cat produce more urine then usual. The cat often has difficulty in holding all this urine in the bladder over a long period of time, e.g. overnight, so that it frequently goes out to urinate or uses its litter box. Some owners mistakenly think that the answer to this problem is to withhold water from the cat, not realizing that they prevent the animal making good the heavy losses which have occurred and provoke the onset of dehydration, thereby the making the illness worse. If the cat has an increased thirst always take it for veterinary attention.
Only withhold water from the animal if it vomits. Vomiting is most often due to some irritation of the lining of the stomach which causes the stomach contents to be rejected. The loss of the water and salts in the vomit makes the animal very thirsty so that it wants to drink, but the presence of water in the stomach provokes further vomiting. In this way a cycle of drinking and vomiting can develop which may lead to serve dehydration and collapse.
Q: Recently my cat has just turned up his nose up at some food he used to like. Why is this?
Answer: A cat may develop an aversion to some specific and perfectly palatable food; often one of which it was previously very found, These aversion usually arises when a bout of nausea or gastro-intestinal illness follow the eating of this foodstuff. It appears to be a type of learning harmful food witch would produce a gastro-intestinal upsets. Such food may be refuse by cat for long periods, even though they are extremely hungry, in some case to the point of death.
In addition, the cat’s senses of the test and smell are very acute and adulterants in the food can be readily detected, particularly those with a better taste. This may deter him from eating certain foods.
In addition, the cat’s senses of the test and smell are very acute and adulterants in the food can be readily detected, particularly those with a better taste. This may deter him from eating certain foods.
Q: Should I pander to my cat’s likes and dislikes in food?
Answer: Certainly there is evidence that cat favor the high fat and high protein foods essential in their diet, but tests have shown that some foods which they find very palatable are not nutritionally adequate if use over an extended period. Unfortunately, the palatability of the food is not reliable indicator of its nutritional value.
Liver is highly acceptable food, often preferred to muscle meat. Some cats develop a marked preference for is and will refuse other foods. But this should not be primate because a diet consisting solely of liver will result in the excessive absorption of vitamin A, which would be followed by the development of serious and painful bone deformities which effectively cripple the cat. Usually it is adult cats who suffer, developing pain and stiffness in the nick and sometimes in the limbs. Liver in normal amounts is not at all harmful; it is simply that you can have too much of good thing.
Next to liver, muscle meat is often the food most prefer by the cats. Unfortunately, both liver and muscle (and also heart) contain relatively low levels of calcium and relatively and high levels of phosphorous. All meat diet which are not supplemented by the correct amount of calcium lead to the development of structurally weak bones and skeletal abnormalities. An example is the condition juvenile osteodystrophy which occurs in growing cats at three or six months of ages, and especially in the Siamese. These kittens show lameness, especially in the hind legs, and their bones will readily facture. Affected animals have a shortened body and neck with a relatively long, large head and are referred to as ‘square cats’. Giving extra vitamin D (as contained in cod liver oil) only makes this condition worse. A diet rich in muscle meat is therefore definitely not a good diet. An acceptable compromise would be diet containing five part if fatty meat to one of liver, though additional calcium in the form of sterilized bone flour (1/8 oz (4g) per day) or milk (7fi oz (200ml) per day) would also needed.
In addition liver and other meat products are relatively low in iodine, although this deficiency is readily corrected if the animal also eats fish. On the other hand liver and muscle meat are rich in vitamin B1 (thiamine) for which cats have a relatively high requirements.
Many cats find the small cans of special variety foods (tuna, fish, beef, rabbit, etc.) highly palatable, as of course the manufacture intends. But these specialty diet are not intended to be balanced diet and should not be fed exclusively day after day, even though the cat express a clear preference for one of them. Some owners reserve these ‘special’ treads as a reward for good behavior in training and never feed them ay other times.
In summary, therefore, as will as owner sometimes feeding there animals on totally unsuitable diets, the cat itself does not necessarily know best when it comes to selecting his own diet.
Liver is highly acceptable food, often preferred to muscle meat. Some cats develop a marked preference for is and will refuse other foods. But this should not be primate because a diet consisting solely of liver will result in the excessive absorption of vitamin A, which would be followed by the development of serious and painful bone deformities which effectively cripple the cat. Usually it is adult cats who suffer, developing pain and stiffness in the nick and sometimes in the limbs. Liver in normal amounts is not at all harmful; it is simply that you can have too much of good thing.
Next to liver, muscle meat is often the food most prefer by the cats. Unfortunately, both liver and muscle (and also heart) contain relatively low levels of calcium and relatively and high levels of phosphorous. All meat diet which are not supplemented by the correct amount of calcium lead to the development of structurally weak bones and skeletal abnormalities. An example is the condition juvenile osteodystrophy which occurs in growing cats at three or six months of ages, and especially in the Siamese. These kittens show lameness, especially in the hind legs, and their bones will readily facture. Affected animals have a shortened body and neck with a relatively long, large head and are referred to as ‘square cats’. Giving extra vitamin D (as contained in cod liver oil) only makes this condition worse. A diet rich in muscle meat is therefore definitely not a good diet. An acceptable compromise would be diet containing five part if fatty meat to one of liver, though additional calcium in the form of sterilized bone flour (1/8 oz (4g) per day) or milk (7fi oz (200ml) per day) would also needed.
In addition liver and other meat products are relatively low in iodine, although this deficiency is readily corrected if the animal also eats fish. On the other hand liver and muscle meat are rich in vitamin B1 (thiamine) for which cats have a relatively high requirements.
Many cats find the small cans of special variety foods (tuna, fish, beef, rabbit, etc.) highly palatable, as of course the manufacture intends. But these specialty diet are not intended to be balanced diet and should not be fed exclusively day after day, even though the cat express a clear preference for one of them. Some owners reserve these ‘special’ treads as a reward for good behavior in training and never feed them ay other times.
In summary, therefore, as will as owner sometimes feeding there animals on totally unsuitable diets, the cat itself does not necessarily know best when it comes to selecting his own diet.
Q: Should my cat’s food be served warm?
Answer: We all know that the foods served warm have more flavor then when they are cold and that there are smoother. Certainly for the cat the acceptability of canned food increases with its temperature, up to blood heat (around 140F or 40C) which is the temperature at which its natural prey would be eaten. Further increase in temperature beyond this point result in a sharp reduction in acceptability, and cats are very caution about tackling any food much hotter then 122F (50C).
There seems little adult, therefore, that your cat will enjoy its food more if it is served warm, and the food temperature can be critical in persuading a sick or convalescent cat to eat. Obviously, the warming of foods is only possible with those having a high moisture content. Attempts to heat up dry or semi-moist foods may result in them being burned and rendered quiet unacceptable.
There seems little adult, therefore, that your cat will enjoy its food more if it is served warm, and the food temperature can be critical in persuading a sick or convalescent cat to eat. Obviously, the warming of foods is only possible with those having a high moisture content. Attempts to heat up dry or semi-moist foods may result in them being burned and rendered quiet unacceptable.
Q: Should my cat’s food be fed raw or cooked?
Answer: Long-term feeding trials have demonstrated that cat fed raw meat and milk show marginally better growth, development, reproduction and location then those fed cooked meat and milk. Nevertheless, it is not advisable to feed cats on raw meat foods because this is a major route by which cats become infected with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma Gondi which produces the disease toxoplasmosis. As will as destroying this parasite, cooking will also destroy any disease producing micro-organisms and also any toxins formed by the food-poisoning organisms multiplying on the food.
Certain carbohydrates called starches cannot be digested by cats unless they have been cooked. Eggs are available source of first-class protein and also provide calcium and phosphorus. But raw egg whites contain avid in which is antagonistic to biotin (a number of a vitamin B complex) and also a substance which interferes with the protein digestion. Light cooking destroys both of these substances.
Cooking also improve the flavor of most foods. Gently cooking is all that is required boiling for a quarter of an hour for example. This will have no harmful effect upon proteins and there will be little change in most vitamins. Prolonged cooking, however, can distort the B vitamins in particular. Consequently manufactures of canned cat foods often add extra vitamin B to their products to ensure that a controlled amount survives the autoclaving stage, a sterilizing process similar to pressure cooking but with the food already contained in the can.
Certain carbohydrates called starches cannot be digested by cats unless they have been cooked. Eggs are available source of first-class protein and also provide calcium and phosphorus. But raw egg whites contain avid in which is antagonistic to biotin (a number of a vitamin B complex) and also a substance which interferes with the protein digestion. Light cooking destroys both of these substances.
Cooking also improve the flavor of most foods. Gently cooking is all that is required boiling for a quarter of an hour for example. This will have no harmful effect upon proteins and there will be little change in most vitamins. Prolonged cooking, however, can distort the B vitamins in particular. Consequently manufactures of canned cat foods often add extra vitamin B to their products to ensure that a controlled amount survives the autoclaving stage, a sterilizing process similar to pressure cooking but with the food already contained in the can.
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