Some say a dog is a man’s best friend, but cat lovers know that cats can be just as lovely to have around. Something that is sometimes overlooked by loving cat owners is the quality of cat treats that are offered. Cats have dietary needs just like humans, and if the treats they are fed regularly are not suitable to their needs it can lead to issues, such as feline diabetes, arthritis, and kidney disease. Here are a few healthy tips to keep in mind when it comes to cat treats:
1. People food
It can be tempting to feed your feline friends table scraps, or even cook homemade meals for them. There a multitude of issues that this can cause, however. For one, it is important to remember that cats require far fewer calories than people. Even a small portion of food can be the equivalent of a whole meal. This can contribute to cat obesity, which is just as real in cats as in humans. Also, some foods people eat, such as raisins and dairy, are toxic to cats. Occasionally it can be okay to offer so called “human food”, but it should not be done regularly.
2. Balanced diet
It is important that cats are not overfed, and that they receive proper nutrition. Feline diabetes is an issue with cats that is caused primarily by being overweight. While not necessarily fatal, it is preventable. Aside from preventing cat obesity, healthy treats can also improve the energy level and moods of cats. When cats are unhealthy, they may be sluggish and can even develop a form of depression.
3. Healthy treats only
Be sure to research the treats you’re giving your cat. There is a stigma that feeding cats healthy food is incredibly expensive, but it is not much more costly than regular food and treats. There are also budget options. If you prefer to go the more natural route, home cooked tuna can be used as a treat. Just make sure foods like tuna do not replace whole meals for your cat as they do not require the necessary nutrients they need.
4. Treats as a tool
Treats are a nice way to brighten your cat’s day, but they can also be used as a positive tool. Once you have obtained your healthy cat treats of choice, you can begin using them to reinforce positive behavior. They can be used to train cats to do tricks for instance. The general method is to get them to do what you want and then give them a treat. They will learn that that activity is a good thing to do and will begin doing it on command. This is not just useful for tricks, but for any behavior that you want to reinforce in them. There are different methods of positive reinforcement that can be found online.
