June 7, 2018
Cat treats are not pieces of food from the owners’ table. You shouldn’t give “just a little,” and you don’t even need to “just once.” Treats of this kind will definitely not benefit your pet.
Cat treats are not a main meal, but a dessert designed to pamper your cat and reward him for good behavior.
Why give treats?
What if there is a need to spend money on treats and give them to the cat? Eat. The treat will be useful in the following cases:
- when you want to pamper your cat and reward him with new taste sensations;
- for additional motivation of the cat to start hunting for a tasty treat, turning it into a real game with a pleasant prize in the final. This will entertain both the cat and the owner;
- if you need to divert the cat's attention from the aromas of tasty but harmful human food, which cannot be fed to your pet, by offering her a treat in the form of a healthy alternative;
- if the owner is absent, but is worried that his cat will miss him;
- for the purpose of praising patience and good behavior (especially important when carrying out procedures that are unpleasant for the cat, such as trimming claws with a nail clipper, cleaning ears, etc.).
Water quality is equally important
And finally, a few words about water. The structure of the feline excretory system is such that urine accumulates quite slowly and is very concentrated. But this does not mean that a cat can go without fluid for a long time.
The animal must have constant access to clean, fresh water
At the same time, the quality of water should be given no less attention than the quality of food. If water from a tap (or well) can be safely used for cooking (that is, it is transparent, does not have a pronounced taste or smell, including bleach), it is also suitable for pets
In other cases, it is advisable to use bottled water (from trusted manufacturers) or filtered using household purification devices.
What types of cat treats are sold ready-made?
- neutral
Treats of this type for a kitten and an adult cat are only suitable if the owners periodically arrange an attraction of unprecedented generosity, because each manufacturer considers it theirs for a long time to generously flavor neutral treats with sugar. It turns out that they are not so neutral, these neutral biscuits, pillows, marmalades that are sold as treats for cats.
- vitamin
In appearance, they will differ significantly from the previous group in their shape (as a rule, it is made in the form of all kinds of hearts, circles, mice) and in their composition. It necessarily includes the content of vitamin and mineral complexes. However, in the case of these delicacies, you should not be overzealous and offer them in reasonable quantities, observing the regimen and dosage.
- nutritious
Treats that have increased nutritional value have a special indication on their packaging, indicated by the word “snack”. They are produced, in most cases, in the form of sausages or pieces of natural meat. Snacks do not contain harmful additives and in certain cases can completely replace a full meal.
- preventive
It’s not difficult to guess from the name that such treats (available in the form of pastes, pads, tablets) are prescribed by veterinarians based on the health status of the pet.
IMPORTANT!
Before purchasing this or that delicacy, it is recommended to carefully study the information on the packaging. You need to pay attention to the designated age of the pet from which this delicacy is allowed to be given, the quantity and, most importantly, the composition.
Super premium food
“Innova Evo” (“Innova Evo”) is rightfully considered the best among soft food for cats.
Theoretically, even humans can consume it, such high-quality products are used to make it. The basis of this food is tender dietary meat. There are no dyes or preservatives, which makes Innova Evo food especially useful for animals prone to allergies. In addition, studies have shown that this food can prevent the occurrence of urolithiasis in cats, a serious disease that causes a lot of suffering to the animal. The only drawback of this food is its high price, which makes it difficult to find in a regular pet store. It is much easier to find and order it online.
Next in the ranking is “Eukanuba” - a high-quality food that belongs to the super premium class. Among the products of the company that produces this type of food, you can find one that is suitable for a small kitten, an adult cat, an animal that requires dietary nutrition for medical reasons, and neutered cats. The balanced composition of this type of food with a high meat content and sufficient amounts of proteins and fats completely covers the cat's needs for the substances necessary for its body.
Soft food "Eukanuba" can be combined with dry food.
Bozita is another super premium food produced in Sweden. This food smells delicious, is made from the best quality meat or fish, contains no dyes or preservatives and is enriched with taurine, which is so necessary for every cat. Due to the fact that after opening the packaging of this food can be hermetically sealed, its shelf life is longer than that of other foods.
The only thing you need to pay attention to is the animal’s reaction during the first time after eating the food. Sometimes a cat's body may not accept this type of food.
Rating of treats for cats
Orijen
Reviews from veterinarians unanimously boil down to the fact that the body of domestic cats can and should be additionally saturated with a list of vitamins and minerals. Orijen cat treats (3 calories per 1 piece) are distinguished by the presence of a vitamin-mineral formula, and almost 100% meat and 0% grains!
According to many cat breeders, it is quite difficult to understand the difference between Orijen treats and the Akana range of treats. Each of the brands belongs to the premium class.
In principle, the finished feeds from these manufacturers still have differences. So, for example, Orijen food traditionally contains a higher percentage of meat protein than Acan food, but less carbohydrates. However, in the case of treats, this rule does not work. Treats are created according to the following principle - they contain a lot of protein and, in most cases, it is the same type of protein.
Country treats for cats
Treats in the form of sausages, straws, slices and even soap bubbles for cats are all produced by a Russian manufacturer.
Any of the village treats for cats does not contain preservatives or dyes. They are produced from such rare varieties of meat as duck, lamb and salmon.
Dreamies
Each Dreams pad contains only 2 calories. Throughout the day, it is recommended to treat cats with only a few pillows (at the rate of 4 pieces per 1 kg of pet’s weight). This type of treat is absolutely not suitable for a kitten! Only adult cats and cats can be pampered with pillows.
Gimcat
The German brand produces a fairly wide range of treats for cats for every taste, from original milk, fortified treats with grass, pastes and tablets with mascarpone, to pads with taurine and chewable sticks with vitamins. This way you can choose treats for cats of different ages and different health conditions.
Mnyams
This brand produces both fortified treats for kittens and adult cats, as well as treats in the form of traditional sticks and pillows. They also contain 93% meat. In addition, they are completely free of GMOs. Both advantages are obvious reasons to treat your pet to traditional Mnyams treats.
And vitamin drops, etc., in addition to having enriching functions, are ideal for brushing your cat’s teeth.
Sanabelle
In addition to the fact that this product is a traditional treat for kittens and cats, it also performs a number of important functions - it helps remove excess hair from the pet’s body. The Dental series was developed specifically for dental care, Vitality - for enriching complexes of vitamins and minerals, Heabol - for preventing the formation of trichobezoars.
Pro cat
The line of treats from this manufacturer contains 30% protein. In some cases this is even useful. Pro cat has a list of treat options for cats with sensitive skin, and a series for additional oral hygiene.
Titbit
This manufacturer's variety of dried treats and sausages can be used for both rewarding and teeth cleaning. We consider it our duty to inform readers that on the Internet you can periodically find information that the brand uses technical hydrogen peroxide in the recipe for preparing delicacies. According to these rumors, it is diluted and brought (during the preparation process) to the required solution. In addition, there is information that the manufacturer often uses low-quality meat that expires.
It is difficult to say how reliable this information is, but forewarned is forearmed!
Edel cat
The menu of this German brand consists of cream soups and chewy sausages. It is quite difficult to resist such pleasure. Any of the cream soups are not too high in calories, and the chewy sausage has a good level of edibility.
Felix
Felix decided to rely on a wide range of original flavors. A gourmet can be pampered with cheddar, gouda, salmon, cod and trout. In our opinion, it is better to keep both food and economy class treats as far away from the cat as possible.
How else can you explain your craving for sweets?
It really seems strange. If their bodies suffer so much from desserts, why do they make so much effort to find and eat sweets? Experts in the field of animal nutrition note the following points:
- The reason is the flavorings that awaken the appetite.
- They may like the consistency of the sweet dish.
- If your pet's diet is unbalanced, this leads to a carbohydrate deficiency. Of course, sweets are the easiest way to make up for their lack.
- Vitamin deficiency is another condition in which a cat tries different foods to make up for the deficiency.
- Some cats love to eat from their owner's hands so much that they will beg for anything.
As you can see, there are quite a few reasons. But the answer to the question of whether a cat can have sweets or not remains the same. No, the predator has no use for it at all.
DIY cat treat recipes
Ready-made treats are a universal product that is perfect for both a cat that is used to eating ready-made food and one that prefers to eat natural products.
However, especially for supporters of exclusively natural and proven nutrition, we offer several ways to prepare treats for your cat yourself:
- It is necessary to mix in a blender: 150 gr. canned tuna, oatmeal - 150 gr., 1 egg, 1 spoon of vegetable oil, catnip. Next, you need to form the resulting mass into small spherical cutlets and bake them in the oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees.
- A special cat gingerbread is prepared in a similar way from a mixture of beef liver (500 g), 2 chicken eggs, ground oatmeal (300 g) and several olives. Only in the case of gingerbread, there is no need to divide the resulting mass into cutlets. It is enough to roll it out on a sheet and bake it in the resulting form in the oven. The gingerbread is cut only after it has reached a state of complete readiness (this takes 30 minutes).
- Grate 50 grams of hard cheese on a coarse grater, mix with 2 tablespoons of carrot puree, and simmer in olive oil. Add a quarter of a banana, 1 spoon of cream and bring to a boil. Grind 10 gr. chicken liver and pour into the saucepan where the rest of the products are. Then stir the resulting mixture and remove from heat. Finally add 2 tbsp. oatmeal and let the treat brew. It is impossible to drag a cat away from such a royal dish!
Is it possible to eat cat meat
In the wild, cats suffer from tick bites and fleas, and feed on rodents and birds. Therefore, their body may contain parasites that are dangerous to human health, as well as bacteria and viruses that provoke the development of a number of dangerous infections, such as:
- botulism - causes pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system;
- Lyme disease - affects the skin, musculoskeletal system, and cardiovascular system;
- relapsing fever - disables the liver, kidneys, and nervous system;
- toxoplasmosis - causes pathologies of the liver, spleen, nervous and lymphatic systems.
In Asian countries, cats are butchered and cooked in unsanitary conditions, and the meat is not checked for quality. Unscrupulous street food vendors in Russia can also use cat meat to make belyashi and shawarma - be careful.
On rabbit carcasses, one foot is left uncovered
Some countries have not yet introduced legislation to protect animals from cruelty. Animal rights activists are trying to fight cat eaters, organizing rallies and creating petitions. Slowly but surely this is bearing fruit. A number of Chinese provinces already have a ban on eating cat and dog meat. Violators face fines and imprisonment.
How to choose a treat for your cat
For those owners who want to purchase treats with the goal of simply pampering their pet and rewarding it for exemplary behavior, it is recommended to choose soft treats for cats - gummies, jellies, balls, baked fillets.
For a cat that has a strong jaw or needs additional prevention of plaque formation, it is better to purchase dry or semi-dry treats - biscuits, sausages.
It is recommended to give a cat of any age group any of the vitamin treats, provided that it is correctly selected in accordance with the age of the pet and the characteristics of its lifestyle. If it is difficult for the owner to do this on his own, it is better to seek help from a veterinarian.
For a fluffy animal, a treat is suitable that prevents excess fur from accumulating into lumps - pastes, etc.
A veterinarian should prescribe preventive treats.
5) Catnip[edit | edit code]
It is not at all necessary that your cat will react to catnip; perhaps there will be no effect, because not every cat is susceptible to it. This herb is known to relax your cat. Cats enjoy the smell of catnip and react strongly to it. It can make them joyful in just a couple of minutes. Although no harm has been noted, it is suggested that this herb should be used in small doses. You can also use toys infused with catnip. It is highly recommended that you consult a veterinarian as the herb may not be suitable for cats with certain medical conditions.
Reviews of cat treats
Alevtina: “My British shorthair cat was 3 years old when I decided to reward her by purchasing a bag of Sanabel Thanks-Snack treats. My cat is a gourmet, but here he literally snatched it out of the bag! Of course, after that I bought another bag, and then another and another. I just couldn’t get enough of how much my beloved cat liked it. But after less than 6 months, huge spots in the form of sores began to appear on his tummy. I ran to the veterinarian and he hastened to prohibit the treats in a categorical tone. Then I spent a couple of months restoring the normal functioning of the cat’s digestion.”
Anton R.: “My husband started bringing Mnyams sticks home, and then I started buying them. If I’m not mistaken, there are 4 types of sticks on sale, and it’s very difficult to say which one our two cats like best, because they gobble them all up! My two cats adore all four. The manufacturer carefully packaged each stick in a separate bag. I don't like that it contains sugar. But you can live with this. I read that for some people a pack lasts for several days. And our packaging goes out in less than a day. What if I have 2 cats living with me?).”
Inna Alekseevna: “My Siamese cat was picked up on the street and therefore her teeth are her most problematic place. I often clean them for her, but the cat is strongly against it. I was advised to buy Country Delights cold cuts to reward our lady for her good behavior during the procedure. The delicacy is excellent (my husband tried it), without salt and smells delicious. The cat eats with pleasure."
Health
Siamese cats most often have problems with the bronchi. This must be taken into account and the cat must be kept dry and warm at all times.
This breed is predisposed to mammary cancer.
Early neutering helps reduce the risk of this disease.
A very common defect is animal strabismus. A large number of babies are born cross-eyed. For some, it goes away on its own within a year, while for others it lasts a lifetime. This defect does not in any way affect the cat’s quality of life, but she will no longer be able to participate in exhibitions.
Another defect that does not cause much discomfort to the cat is a broken tail. Previously, this was treated as the norm, considering it a characteristic feature of the Thais. Today this is a reason for disqualification.
One legend says that the princess hid her jewels in a bundle and tied them to the tail of a cat in an attempt to protect them from theft. This was the reason for the appearance of such an unusual shape in the animal’s tail.
In general, the Siamese cat breed is healthy and successfully lives up to 20 years of age.
Take care of yourself
The love for their skin and claws is inherent in representatives of the cat family at the genetic level and was noticed by our distant ancestors. A cat will definitely do its own toileting for a couple of hours a day. She tidies up the claws and fur between the toes, and pulls out matted hair on the sides and chest. Help your pets with this, because hygiene procedures sometimes require the intervention of the owner.
Even elderly or sick animals are licked. In this way, the cat quickly calms down and, to some extent, receives moral satisfaction. In addition, it preserves its own smell, and in the wild this is extremely necessary.
By the way, it has been noticed that female cats spend significantly more time on grooming themselves than adult cats. There is no explanation for this yet; perhaps members of the opposite sex are just a little lazy.
Expert advice
- Don't feed your cat only cereal. Still, cereals are not the natural food of predators. You should always ensure that your cat does not receive more carbohydrates than necessary.
- When preparing porridge, make it a little liquid. This will make it easier for your pet’s gastrointestinal tract to absorb the product.
- Veterinarians advise using unpolished rice in the cat's menu - it contains more vitamins.
- When preparing porridge, do not use spices or salt under any circumstances. Any flavoring additives cause addiction in cats, and salt leads to the development of urolithiasis.
- If for some reason you switch your cat from dry or wet store-bought food to natural food, introduce porridge a little at a time; individual cereals can provoke an allergic reaction.
