The question “Do cats swallow their food whole” has been raised in the past, but is no longer a matter of concern. While it is possible that some cats can swallow their food in pieces, there are other factors to consider before determining if it is best for your cat to do so.
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Pre-break kibble or treat before offering it to your cat
There are many options to choose from when it comes to feeding your feline friends. You might have to tweak your daily routine in order to ensure that your furry companions get their requisite nutrition. Besides, changing your cat’s diet can prove stressful. Hence, the best approach is to create a well-rounded feeding regimen based on sound research. Among other things, it’s important to understand that cats are carnivores, meaning they need protein as a primary energy source. In addition, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for foods that can prove dangerous for your feline friend.
Aside from the basics, there are numerous tips, tricks and gimmicks that can be employed to ensure that your pet enjoys a happy and healthy lifestyle. One of the most common mistakes made by cat owners is to feed their furry friends the wrong kind of food. Hence, it’s important to understand that the right balance between meat and vegetables is key to ensure your feline’s wellbeing. The best ways to achieve this are by putting the cat’s food out in the morning, refrigerating it in the evening and taking care of any leftovers as soon as possible.
Avoid meat bi-products, fillers, grains, and chemical preservatives
When you’re buying cat food, it’s a good idea to avoid meat bi-products, fillers, grains, and chemical preservatives. These can cause a variety of problems, including digestive upset, allergic reactions, and hyperactivity. And some of these ingredients can be deadly to your cat!
Meat bi-products, also known as meat derivatives, are cheap leftovers from slaughterhouses. They go through a series of processing steps that lose much of their nutritional value.
These materials include organ tissue (like the brain and kidney), fatty tissue, liver, intestines, and even “fresh” still by-products. Many of these are also loaded with hazardous chemicals.
While the AAFCO defines a by-product as clean, internal organs, it can also include other non-human parts. These may be diseased organ tissue, or dead animals from farms, animal shelters, or marketing barns.
Check for food allergies and sensitivities
If you have a cat, you should check for food allergies and sensitivities before feeding your pet whole foods. You may be surprised by the effects of allergies. Your cat can become very sick if you continue to feed it foods that trigger allergic reactions.
Several tests are available that claim to diagnose food allergies. However, the test results can be false positives. This is because the results can be influenced by many factors.
The most common allergens include milk, beef, eggs, seafood, and soya. Some cats are also allergic to certain preservatives, colourants, and additives. These can cause digestive problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, and other health complications.
Avoid carb-fanatic diets
There is plenty of fear about carbohydrates and cats, and some experts suggest that they should be avoided. However, not all carbs are created equal, and not all cats need them. In fact, some cats thrive on a low-carb, high-protein diet.
Carbohydrates are important to humans and many other mammals. They provide energy for cells. Unlike humans, cats lack a liver enzyme that allows them to break down carbohydrates into glucose. But cats do have other carb-digesting enzymes.
The best way to give your cat a healthy and nutritious diet is to avoid foods that have a high glycemic index. These include white rice, bread, pasta and sugary treats.
