If you adore cats, you're likely familiar with the irresistible temptation of showering your furry companion with treats and nibbles, supplementing their regular meals. Many people find joy in expressing affection to their cats by offering table scraps or hand-fed food.
While it's delightful to capture your beloved feline's attention and witness them eating from your hand, it's important to use cat treats judiciously and set certain boundaries. To ensure you get treat time right, this guide will outline how many treats to feed your pet each day and what to avoid.
Which cat treats to choose?
While you may have good intentions when it comes to treating your cats, it's important to understand that human foods can be high in calories and salt, while lacking essential nutrients that your cat needs. This poses a risk of overfeeding and disrupting the balance of their diet.
Fortunately, there is a positive aspect to this situation. You have access to a wide range of manufactured cat treats that serve various purposes. Some treats are specifically designed to promote digestive or dental health, while others serve as extra special indulgences or rewards for your feline companion.
How many cat treats a day?
Cat treats are calorie-dense and typically lack complete and balanced nutrition. They should be reserved as occasional indulgences for your feline companion. It's crucial to adjust your cat's main meal by an equivalent caloric amount whenever you offer them cat snacks. Additionally, it's important to limit the intake of feline treats to no more than 10% of their total daily calorie allowance. By doing so, you can ensure that your cat's overall diet remains well-balanced and not thrown off balance.
Is milk considered a cat treat?
Have you ever heard of the phrase "the cat that got the cream"? It suggests that cats have a fondness for milk. However, the truth is that their digestive systems are not equipped to handle lactose, a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. In fact, giving cow's milk to many cats can result in diarrhea.
Special cat milk is low in lactose to avoid these digestive upsets but, as with all cat treats, this milk contains calories and this should be taken into account to keep their diet balanced. Special cat milk should not be used as a substitute for water either – if you do give your cat specially-formulated cat milk, you should reduce their overall calorie intake accordingly.
Toxic foods that can be easily confused for cat treats
oxic foods that can be easily confused for cat treats
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Grapes & Raisins
- Raw dough
- Onions and garlic
Ensuring your cat's safety while you're cooking involves keeping them away from the kitchen and ensuring that potentially harmful foods are out of their reach. If you have any suspicions that your cat has consumed any of these problematic foods, it is crucial to contact your veterinarian immediately.
How to stop your cat from begging for food
Indulging a cat's begging behavior for treats is an unfortunate habit that many cat owners unknowingly encourage. To break this habit, it's important to avoid feeding your cat scraps from the dinner table and ensure that any leftovers are properly stored to prevent them from associating it as their reserved food. Refrain from using your own plate as a makeshift cat food dish; their designated food bowl should be the sole place for their meals.
Although it may be challenging initially, it's best to resist giving in to begging during mealtime. By ignoring their attempts, your cat will eventually learn that their efforts are futile and will refrain from persistently seeking your attention for tasty treats
Additional helpful tips:
- Avoid giving kitten treats to very young cats as they can add unnecessary calories to their feeding schedule.
- Ensure your cat has access to clean and fresh drinking water throughout the day, both during main meals and treat times.
- Remember to adjust your cat's main meal portion if you choose to give them cat treats. Opt for nutritionally balanced treats to maintain a well-balanced diet.
- Consider using some of the kibble from your cat's regular meal as a reward, especially if they are on a specialized diet for medical reasons or weight loss. Treats may not be suitable in such cases, so it's best to consult your vet for guidance if you're uncertain.
