Six Common Cat-Feeding Mistakes
📝 Summary
Raising a cat is like raising a child; correct feeding keeps it healthy. Here are 6 mistakes new owners make—see if you're guilty.
1 Overview
1. Not controlling portions
How do you feed—scheduled or free? Both have pros and cons. Cats naturally eat small, frequent meals (hunting). Indoor cats with little exercise, if free-fed, easily become obese. But active self-regulating cats can free-feed. Control daily calories; labels show calorie info.
Base daily calories = 30 × weight(kg) + 70 (kcal).
Neutered adult ×1.0 < 4 months ×3.0; 4 months–1 year ×2.0.
2. No transition, direct switch
The gut needs about 1 week to adapt; direct switch irritates it, causing vomiting or diarrhea.
Use the 7-day transition, gradual old-to-new replacement (usually on the package).
7-day method:
Days 1–2: 90% old + 10% new
Days 3–4: 60% old + 40% new
Days 5–6: 30% old + 70% new
Day 7+: 100% new
3. Frequent treats
Overfeeding treats causes pickiness; treats should be rewards, not from begging. Avoid starch-heavy cat biscuits or candy—they burden the kidneys.
4. Making the cat vegetarian
Cats are carnivores; their gut isn’t suited to plants, which can’t meet needs.
Also, never feed human leftovers; sugar and salt are kidney killers.
5. Too much liver
A little liver meets nutritional needs, but excess harms health and causes calcium deficiency.
6. Leaving old food then adding new
Unfinished kibble left too long breeds bacteria, causing diarrhea. Dispose of leftovers (especially cans) promptly; wash and dry bowls before reuse.
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