Treat your cat for life – not just for Christmas
Everyone likes a little treat every now and then - and
especially now that Christmas is coming. But although it's
tempting to give your cat scraps from the table, many popular
yuletide treats can actually be dangerous for her health.
Whilst just one leftover slice of turkey may not seem
excessive, for a cat this could actually be equivalent to a
human eating seven slices!
Treat or not to treat?
Some cats are very good at begging for food and acting like
they've not been fed for days! But all they often want is just
your attention, not a portion of your festive dish. So try to
groom and play with her instead of sharing your meal. Feeding
your cat table scraps not only encourages bad habits - and
having your cat on the table, especially when you've got
visitors can be very off-putting, but feeding human foods in
general can have an adverse effect on your cat's health. So
don't be afraid to ask well-meaning guests not to feed from the
table or to give your cat the wrong kind of treats.
Some table scraps are even toxic to
cats
Allowing your cat eat too much rich food or some human
treats can upset her digestive system. For example, onions,
garlic and certain root vegetables contain substances that can
be toxic for cats and may cause a form of anaemia. And
remember, it's not just the raw form of these vegetables you
should avoid feeding your cat, because the gravy or sauces that
cover a meal may also contain these ingredients.
Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine that is
poisonous for cats. It is in the same class of drugs as
caffeine and can have an effect on the nervous system, blood
pressure and digestion. In addition, grapes and raisins have
been found to be toxic to pets, so again should be avoided.
Although milk is not toxic to cats in general, many cats are
lactose-intolerant so can suffer from vomiting, diarrhoea and
stomach upsets as a result of drinking it.
The right nutrition in the right amount
Although we are often guilty of over-indulging on rich foods
throughout the festive period, our pets should not follow.
Overfeeding your cat or treating her with unhealthy snacks over
Christmas will make her pile on extra pounds which can result
in developing an increased risk of a serious health condition
like diabetes, arthritis or heart problems.
Plus, with so many people around the house, Christmas can
actually be quite stressful for cats. To minimize disruption,
stick to her routines as well her precisely balanced nutrition
like Hill's™ Science Plan™ . A
Hill's Science Plan kibble is just as much of a treat, and much
better for her. You can also reward your cat by varying the
food you feed, combining wet and dry food and changing the
flavour from time to time. However, do keep to the recommended
daily amounts. The Hill's Science Plan range has delicious
tasting varieties that are specifically tailored to the
individual needs of your cat. And if she doesn't love it, then
we'll give you your money back - guaranteed!
So, if any of your family members or friends will be tempted
to get your cat a small festive treat, show them this chart
below that shows some of the frequent cat treats in human
equivalents! For example, for a 5kg cat, a cup of milk is
equivalent in calories to a human adult eating 4½
burgers or 5 chocolate bars and 30g of cheddar cheese equates
to 3½ burgers or 4 chocolate bars!
So think before you treat!