What's The Secret To A Happy Lean Cat?
July 13, 2019
Veterinarian Dr Liz Bales says that how you feed your cat is just as important as what you feed your cat. Cats are natural predators and need the stimulation of hunting for their food to keep them healthy, both physically and emotionally.
More than 60% of cats in America are obese and Dr. Bales attributes this to feeding cats from a bowl, which she claims, makes them sick in many different ways. Their sedentary lifestyles are as unhealthy as a human’s. In the wild, cats would eat several small meals a day, feeding 10 to 12 times throughout the day and night, living on bugs, mice, and birds predominantly.
But indoor cats don’t get to experience this instinctive way of life and this could be the reason for your cat's expanding waistline. Cats that are overweight or obese are four times more likely to develop diabetes and can suffer from other health problems, including:
- Arthritis
- Urinary disease
- Heart disease
- Skin disease
Cats have very small stomachs. Funnily enough, they’re about the size of a nice, tasty mouse! But cats who eat from a full bowl of food are likely to eat too much and sick up their food, a condition known as ‘scarf & barf’. Overeating will inevitably lead to obesity and one fat kitty.
Instead of sauntering up to the bowl for num-nums, encourage your cat to get interactive with their food. Dr. Bales says that feeding your cat should include five elements:
- Seeking
- Hunting
- Catching
- Playing
- Eating
When a cat is not encouraged to follow her instinct, it can manifest as stress and anxiety, and she may display symptoms such as:
- Over-grooming
- Sleeping too much
- Digestive issues
- Lack of appetite
Dr. Bales has developed a different way of feeding your cat. Instead of a bowl, she uses playful mice toys filled with kibble that she hides around the house for her cat to search and destroy. She places five of them around the house, so her cat can hunt throughout the evening and early hours of the morning, just as he would if he were outdoors roaming the neighbourhood, living the life of a carefree cat.
Bowl-free feeding is a clever idea: not only does it stimulate the mind, it also encourages exercise and speaks to your cat’s intuitive behaviour. Maybe it’s time to ditch the bowl.