Here are the top 10 cat feeding mistakes and how to prevent them.
Giving Cats Milk
Most cats like cow’s milk, but the majority are lactose intolerant and can get diarrhea from drinking milk.
If a cat hasn’t shown any signs of stomach problems after consuming dairy products, milk can be given as an occasional treat, but choose goat’s milk or fattier cow’s milk products rather than skim, as they contain less lactose. You can also purchase special lactose-free milk products for cats from pet supply stores.
Feeding Cats Raw Egg Whites
Eating raw egg whites on a regular basis can cause cats to develop a biotin deficiency, and raw eggs also carry the risk of salmonella poisoning (contrary to popular belief, cats are not immune to this).
Experts are divided on the subject of egg safety for cats. Some assert that a raw egg now and then is alright, whereas others say that eggs should always be cooked. Although the risk from an occasional raw egg is quite low, owners who wish to play it totally safe should avoid feeding raw eggs altogether.
Giving Cats Table Scraps That Contain Onions
Feeding onions (including those that have been dehydrated or cooked) to cats can cause a serious illness called Heinz Body Anemia (other allium species such as garlic and chives also pose a risk, though to a lesser extent).
Avoid giving cats table scraps that contain allium species plants, and if feeding human baby food (which some owners do to encourage ill or elderly cats to eat), check the label first to make sure it’s free of onions.
Feeding Cats “Human” Tuna on a Regular Basis
Good cat foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals. Although an occasional can of plain tuna formulated for humans is fine as a treat, making it the cat’s primary food source can lead to a vitamin E deficiency and trigger serious illness because it isn’t nutritionally complete for cats.
Feeding Cats High-Carbohydrate Cat Foods
Many cats become obese and develop a variety of health problems when eating carb-heavy foods. Meat should be the first ingredient listed on any food given to a cat, and ideally the second as well (some sneaky companies will list meat first but then have three different types of grain or corn as the second, third, and fourth ingredients so that the carbohydrates outweigh the protein overall). See High-Protein Diets for Cats for more information on how to determine whether a cat food is nutritious.
Failing to Recognize When a Cat Has Become Overweight
Because many owners are in denial about their pets’ obesity, they fail to take corrective action with their feeding strategies. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 58% of cats in the United States are overweight or obese, which increases their likelihood of developing a variety of life-threatening diseases. The Association also reports that 46% of those who own overweight cats and 40% of those with obese cats incorrectly classify their pets as being of a healthy weight.
The feline obesity epidemic is largely attributable to cheap, high-carbohydrate cat foods. If your cat is overweight, switch from dry food to wet if possible because wet contains fewer calories, and from free feeding to set mealtimes. Discuss diet options with your veterinarian, and encourage your cat to get more exercise (see How to Help Obese Cats Lose Weight for tips).
Forcing Cats to be Vegan
Little Tyke, the voluntarily vegetarian lioness, is often held up as an example of a healthy, cruelty-free cat, but Little Tyke ate milk and eggs. A vegan diet doesn’t meet a cat’s nutritional requirements and cats fed only plant-based foods are at risk for nutrient deficiencies and related health problems. Even VeganCats.com recommends feeding cats some meat.
For owners who have ethical concerns regarding the abysmal treatment of animals on factory farms, there are cat foods made from organic, free-range meats (organic animal products are more nutritious as well). Another option is to look for labels such as Certified Humane Raised & Handled or visit farms to see how the animals are treated, buy meat directly from the most animal-friendly farm you can find, and make cat food in large batches.
Feeding Cats Dog Food
Dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements, so feeding a cat dog food will endanger his health over time. For this reason, you shouldn’t feed a dog cat food either.
Feeding Cats Nothing but Poor-Quality Dry Food
There are two problems associated with feeding dry food: obesity (due to the high-calorie carbohydrates in most dry foods) and dehydration. The risk of obesity can be reduced by not free feeding and choosing premium dry foods in which meat is the first ingredient (and preferably second as well).
Feeding only dry cat food can also lead to chronic low-level dehydration, which can trigger kidney and urinary tract problems. Ideally, cats should receive either all wet food or a mix of wet and dry food rather than all dry. If feeding dry food, encourage more drinking by placing multiple water bowls around the home or purchasing a fountain-type water bowl.
Feeding a Raw Diet Without Taking Precautions
While some experts consider raw diets too risky, others such as veterinarian Lisa A. Pierson, assert that the potential health benefits outweigh the risks as long as certain precautions are undertaken:
- Before implementation, discuss the diet with your veterinarian to ensure that it will meet your pet’s unique nutritional requirements and not exacerbate any existing health problems.
- Use fine-ground meats to prevent bone pieces from becoming lodged in the throat or digestive system.
- Purchase only organic meats from a trusted source to reduce the likelihood of contamination.
- Use or freeze meats immediately after purchasing.
- Engage in safe meat handling practices.
For more information on cat and kitten feeding, visit the Cat Food Information Page.
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
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