Some cats used to be born in the wild. For this reason, cats eat meat. They are carnivores, and some cats mostly eat raw meat or chicken. Some stray cats' diet consists of mice, birds, small rabbits, and other small animals they are able to eat. Owned cats just eat regular cat food because they may not be allowed to go outside to hunt. Sometimes, the cat food is still made out of chicken, or is flavored to taste like what cats like. In order for cats to catch their prey when hunting, the cat first has to sneak up on its prey. It then has to chase after it. When it's close enough, it pounces and kills it. Finally, it may go somewhere private to eat its prey. Stray cats may hunt instead of eating cat food because they do not have owners.
What should cats eat?[]
Feeding your cat a well-balanced diet will keep your pet healthy and happy. Here's what you need to know about feeding your cat.
Meat-based diet[]
Cats need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy - they can't be vegetarian. You'll need to feed them a diet that's suitable for their age, state of health and lifestyle.
- No human food: Most typical human food won't meet the nutritional needs of cats, and some human foods can even be poisonous to cats, such as onions.
- Little and often: Cats naturally eat several small meals per day. Make sure you feed your cat every day and try to split their daily intake into several small meals (unless your vet advises otherwise).
- Read the instructions: Always read and follow the feeding instructions that relate to the cat food you buy. Why not try McAdams ethical cat food?
- Feed the right amount: The amount your cat needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and health, so adjust the amount of food according to their specific needs. If a cat eats more food than they need, they'll become overweight and may suffer. Equally, if they're eating too little, they'll become underweight.
- If you provide a litter tray, position their food and water well away from it. Most cats won't eat if their food is placed too close to their toilet site.