21 Your feline friend may be a fussy eater if he or she: • only eats certain flavours or textures of cat food • likes you to feed her by hand • only eats foods made by you • only eats a mouthful and then demands feeding every hour. For many owners feline fussiness is not a problem. They are only too willing to feed their cat morsels of warm food from their hands 10 or more times a day. For others, their cat refusing to eat just one meal is intolerable. To understand this problem it helps to look at the natural diet and nutrition of our feline friends. Cats are natural carnivores, eating predominantly a meat-based (high protein) diet, little and often. Their sense of smell enables them to eliminate inedible or less preferred foods and their tastes are different to dogs and humans (cats have no sweet tastes). Your fussy cat may instinctively be trying to eat the best diet he can. Or he may have trained you to provide only the foods he likes. If you are concerned about your cat’s nutrition, his health or his weight, it is best to consult your vet prior to making changes to your cat’s diet. How to avoid a fussy eater Kittens should be exposed to a variety of foods at a young age and this practice continued throughout life. Feeding only one type food may result in them only eating one type or flavour. PET OF THE WEEK FOR MORE VISIT AWLQLD.COM.AU OR CALL 5509 9000 Creating a brighter future Animal Welfare League Qld Est. 1959 PETS OF THE MONTH Tommy Animal ID:16466 | Domestic Short Hair Male | 12Y 6M | Blue & White Hello there, I’m Tommy. I’ve seen many sunrises and sunsets, each one as unique as a snowflake. I’m a sweet old soul, always ready to lend a comforting purr when needed. I’ve spent my years learning the art of loyalty, and I must say, I’ve mastered it. I’m not one for mischief, I prefer a calm, peaceful existence, basking in the warmth of companionship. My days are spent dreaming of a forever home, where I can share my wisdom and love. I may be a senior, but my heart is young. I have so much love to give, and I hope to share it with someone who appreciates the loyalty and sweetness of a mature companion. Adopt me, and let’s make beautiful memories together. Summer Animal ID:137606 | American Staffy Female | 2Y 1M | Medium | Tan & White Meet Summer, a gentle soul with a heart full of love. Summer can be a little shy at first but once she warms up, she is a cuddly and friendly gal! Summer’s perfect home would be a quiet one where she can gain confidence and get all the cuddles! She would love to spend her days playing with toys, going for walks cozy evenings at home. She would be the perfect friend to chill on the couch with! If you have a peaceful home and a little bit of patience, Summer could be your new best friend! So come and meet her today Tommy, Summer and more wonderful pets are waiting to meet you at the AWL Coombabah on Shelter Road. Fussy eaters are common in the cat world Most cats respond well to variety in their diet and will often seek out novel foods where they can.Indeed today, obesity is as big a problem as fussiness. Here are some tips if your cat has become too fussy: • Try mixing the preferred food with the one you would rather your cat was eating. Then gradually increase the proportion of the desired choice. • Warm wet (canned) food up a little or add a few drops of warm water to the dry food. This helps release the aromas and flavours. • Look at the nutritional quality of the food you are feeding. Could your cat’s preferred diet be a healthier choice . • Decide how to feed your cat and be consistent but remember that cats prefer food at room temperature and they like to nibble regularly Unlike dogs, who devour everything edible and some non-edible items too, cats are far more discerning in their tastes. This can be a source of frustration for their owners.
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