Some say it's because while people's quality of life is improving, we're also becoming more lonely. Coming home from get off work each day feels like being swallowed by loneliness, leading to the desire for a pet for companionship. Others believe that increasingly complex interpersonal relationships make people prefer the simpler world of pets, treating them like family.
If you're looking for a pet to accompany you and soothe your tired soul after a long day at work, then a cat is the best choice. How can we spend more time with our cats? How can we help them live longer? In this episode, we'll start with the simplest things: food, to help you, as a cat owner, better understand your feline companion's eating habits.
Cats are actually obligate carnivores. As semi-domesticated animals, cats in the wild almost exclusively ate meat, and many nutrients they cannot synthesize themselves must be obtained from meat. A cat's metabolic characteristics necessitate a high-protein diet, requiring high-quality animal protein to meet its bodily needs. A cat's body structure is designed for carnivorous diets. Adult cats have only 30 permanent teeth, fewer than humans (28-32) and dogs (42). All their teeth, including molars, are relatively sharp, lacking the cutting edge for grinding food, but are well-suited for tearing and piercing prey; cats are naturally attracted to certain smells and odors.
Beef and chicken: These are common ingredients in cat food, both of which are high in protein. Beef, in particular, is rich in protein and the trace element creatine, which helps cats develop fuller cheeks.
Beef is easily digested and absorbed, and there are many benefits for cats to eat a little beef regularly. Therefore, owners can give their cats beef periodically. However, it's recommended not to feed beef to kittens with sensitive stomachs or kittens aged 1-3 months, as it can easily cause diarrhea.
Chicken is a common type of meat and is very suitable for cats, satisfying their needs. However, you shouldn't feed your cat meat every day; you must pay attention to a balanced diet.
Duck meat: It is a very suitable meat for cats. Compared with beef, duck meat contains more unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to the cat's immune system and vision. Moreover, duck meat is effective in reducing internal heat and can help cats get rid of tear stains. If your cat has tear stains, you might as well give it some duck meat.
Salmon: It has antioxidant properties and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the development of a cat's heart and immune system. Spanish mackerel: Cats also love to eat fish, and Spanish mackerel is highly recommended. Salmon is too expensive; pet owners who can afford it can feed it to their cat. Saury is not suitable due to its many bones. Spanish mackerel is cheap and affordable, and it also contains a large amount of Omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and taurine. It is recommended to feed it to your cat twice a week!
Cod: It is a white-fleshed fish that is low in fat and high in protein. It also contains vitamin D and is less likely to cause obesity.
Eggs: Cooked egg yolks are also one of cats' favorite foods; to them, it's a real treat. Many cats drool at the sight of cooked egg yolks. Cooked egg yolks are also rich in lecithin, which can help maintain a cat's healthy coat, making it a delicious and nutritious food. However, egg whites are not easily digested, so be careful when feeding them to your cat.
Pet owners can feed their cats this 2-3 times a week, or they can use freeze-dried egg yolk pieces instead, which are equally delicious and nutritious.
