Wild (and Sometimes Crazy) Wednesday – The Eating Habits of Cats

There must be hundreds of choices when it comes to feeding your cat. Visit the cat food aisle at any pet store for the first time and you’ll immediately become confused. That’s probably why most of us zero in on Fancy Feast when we adopt a cat. It’s readily available (in fact, prominent) at all grocery stores, there are many flavors and types, the can is attractive, and most cats seem to like it. Also they have a kitten version, so if you start your kitten on Fancy Feast kitten food, you’re likely to continue with that brand as the cat grows.

Some cat owners, however, feed something else—either because the cat won’t eat Fancy Feast or because they’ve found a product or an alternative that seems healthier. Some of us must feed prescription food for a cat with kidney or bladder disease. And then there are those who feed raw or they make food for their cats.

Some people feed only wet (canned) food, others only kibbles and some of us offer both. And what about treats: there are treats created especially for cats, but some cats have figured out how to get bites or helpings of people food.

Our little tabby, Lily, was a beggar. It didn’t matter what was on my plate, she wanted to taste it. She particularly liked chicken, avocado (which I learned is a no-no for cats), and cheese, but she was known to eat bites of tomato and other foods you wouldn’t think a cat would enjoy.

What about milk or ice cream? What’s the first thing many people do when they find themselves responsible for a lost kitten? Often, they give the kitten a bowl of milk. And sometimes that’s not a good idea. Many cats and kittens are sensitive to milk–it can cause a tummy upset and diarrhea. There’s nothing cuter than the kittens and cats shown on the Internet lately with their paws wrapped around an ice cream cone happily licking the sweet yumminess. But please don’t go out and buy your cat ice cream in order to make a splash on YouTube. The results after the photo shoot might not be so pleasant.