Feline Feeding Behavior

Feline Feeding Behavior and Why It Matters
Credits: July Lifes Abundance Newsletter, Thursday, 26 July 2012 16:53 by Dr. Jane Bicks 

Cats are enigmatic creatures.

Having an appreciation for their motivations will not only help you to develop a deeper bond, it could make your cat healthier, too.

Feeding your feline optimal nutrition not only requires an understanding of your cat’s unique nutritional needs, but also of their feeding behavior. In fact, understanding the nuances of feline consumption can help combat one of the most common feeding disorders in cats - obesity.

When it comes to feeding behaviors, domestic cats aren’t vastly different than their wild cousins.

Felines are so fundamentally predatory that they will actually stop eating a meal to initiate a new hunt. This instinctual strategy evolved in the wild over the course of millenia to maximize food availability. This is why, if a cat even sees a mouse, she feels compelled to catch it.

Domesticated cats exhibit this same hunting impulse, and sometimes pet parents mistake feline hunting behavior as an expression of hunger. However, it’s simply a manifestation of their predatory instinct.

It might amaze you to learn that cats in the wild consume 10-20 small meals per day! And 40% or more of the diet of feral domestic cats consists of small rodents, but the typical mouse only provides a tiny amount of the daily energy requirement of an adult cat. In order to obtain enough calories, a cat must hunt throughout the day and night.

Generally speaking, domesticated cats demonstrate similar behavior, ‘snacking’ throughout the day on their kibble and canned food. The significant difference here is that prepared food features substantial calorie counts, especially compared to a field mouse.

With many indoor kitties adopting the couch-potato lifestyle, a sizable portion of the U.S. cat population is overweight or obese. A major concern that affects overall health, obesity was nearly unheard of in cats 100 years ago.

In a relatively short period of time, cats have gone from outdoor predators, constantly searching for small prey, to indoor loafers with a nearly constant supply of freely available food! No longer subjected to the daily hardships of environmental dangers (such as predators, rampant disease, increased risk of traumatic injury and at the mercy of the elements), cats are not only falling prey to obesity, they are suffering from collateral disorders like arthritis and diabetes. Simply by adopting new methods of providing sustenance, pet parents can not only help their indoor cats avoid obesity but also boredom … talk about a win-win scenario!

Unless your cat is hyper-vigilant at regulating her caloric intake, the amount of food for the day should be measured out to prevent overeating. Resist the temptation to ‘feed the empty bowl’.

A good reality check is readily available in the form of the Suggested Daily Amount listed on the back label of Life’s Abundance food bags. It’s important to note that neutered and sedentary cats have lower energy requirements than outdoor hunters or extremely active kitties.

Food intake should be adjusted according to a cat’s activity level, to help maintain an optimal body condition. Remember, a cat is at a good weight when you can feel ribs, but not see them. It’s always a good idea to discuss weight management issues with your veterinarian. Feeding your cat in a manner that mimics hunting can result in positive health benefits. Doing so will decrease boredom and increase exercise levels, helping to trim fat and build muscle tissue.

We encourage you to employ some of the following suggestions, provided by from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (catvets.com):

• Use a puzzle feeder or food ball to dispense food as a challenge. Or make your own homemade puzzle feeder by cutting holes into a taped-shut shoebox or empty two-liter bottle, either with holes large enough that she can paw kibble out, or kibble-sized holes that will dispense food as she bats the container around. Begin with easy-to-solve puzzles … as your smart kitty works out the chow challenge, introduce new, more difficult mealtime mystifiers. *Hide food throughout the house … be creative and change up locations frequently, effectively recreating a ‘scavenger hunt’.
• Throw kibble for your cat to chase, to mimic pursuit of prey.
• If you feed treats, make sure the calories for those treats are reflected in the total daily counts.
• Make sure all the members of your family are on the same page when it comes to curtailing feline obesity. That means, no duplicated feedings or treating.
• If your kitty stares at you with longing eyes during meal time, then feed the largest meal during that time to prevent begging.
• If your kitty pounces on you at night demanding to be fed, then feed the largest meal right before bedtime.

If you feed your cat Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food and Instinctive Choice Premium Canned Food, you obviously care about improving the health of your cat. Just keep in mind, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

I truly believe that if you make the commitment to alter your feeding habits, you can make a big difference in the long-term health of your furry best friend. Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Bicks

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They Depend Upon You to Stay Healthy

They Depend Upon You to Stay Healthy... Are You?
Wednesday, 20 October 2010 15:50 by Life's Abundance

The cat’s bowl is full of nutritious Instinctive Choice. Your canine companion has had his daily Wellness Food Supplement. You know that you are forgetting something, but you just can’t seem to place it. Maybe it’s not something you’re forgetting but rather someone with four legs! As important of a role your pets play in your life, you are the main character in their lives! Without you who would they turn to?

By changing a few simple things in your daily routine, you could be around for more ear scratches, purring and head butts!

Get Active – Don’t just let Fido out by himself – join him. A recent survey found that more than 65% of Americans are overweight or obese. Since the health problems associated with excess weight include heart disease, diabetes and stroke, it's important to make weight loss and fitness a priority in your life. So lace up those sneakers and take your dog for a daily walk at the local park or around your block! The fresh air will invigorate you and the companionship of your dog will make this daily activity more enjoyable and seem less like exercise. Not only will this help keep your weight under control, but it will also help make for a healthier heart.

Eat Healthy – You feed your pets the best, most nutritious foods, and you should be doing the same. Hate the word “diet”? Try the 80-20 factor. Eat healthy 80% of the time and indulge for the other 20%. This is a very simple way to improve your diet. The American Heart Association recommends eating foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. An easy way to ensure that you are getting health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis is to try Sealogix Omega-3 Fish Oil. Thanks in large part to its superior quality, purity and concentration of nutrients, Sealogix represents an exceptional value compared to other market brands.

Stop Smoking – Many of us grew up when smoking was cool. Well, it’s not cool anymore. The American Heart Association could not have put it any clearer. Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death! Your bad habit does not only affect you - it affects everyone in your home – pets included! There are so many cessation programs available these days that quitting may be easier than you think. Procrastination is one of the biggest hurdles, so make the decision to stop smoking today and consult your health care provider for the program that’s right for you.

Let your pets continue to enjoy the life that you have worked so hard to give them. You need to stay healthy, too!

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If you are looking for an effective way to lose weight, try XM3 caps and the Zija Weight Control and Hunger Management Program today! The active ingredient is moringa and it has helped thousands like you to lose weight.

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So You Found a Pregnant Cat

So You Found a Pregnant Cat
by Dr. Jane Bicks, Lifes Abundance August Newsletter
Click Here to Subscribe Now to the FREE Dr. Jane and the Lifes Abundance Newsletter

Did you know that cats can become mothers in their first year of life?

While more and more pet parents spay their cats early in life, many good Samaritans have gotten more than they bargained for, after finding that the stray they adopted is pregnant.

As a matter of fact, we here at the Life’s Abundance office found ourselves in a similar situation when a sweet little stray showed up at our door a while back. Of course, food and water were the first order of business. After a few days, she began to trust us enough to pet her. That’s when we discovered that she was pregnant. To make a long story short, we took good care of her and her kittens, and now the whole feline family lives with their new adoptive parents.

If you have a pregnant cat, you may be wondering what to expect and how best to care for the expectant mother.

First, take her to your veterinarian for a full checkup. Your veterinarian will be able to determine how far along she is and if there are any health concerns.

Second, provide complete and balanced nutrition. More than any other factor, nutrition will influence the health of mother and kittens. Cats are pregnant for approximately 8-9 weeks. Like humans, cats gain weight gradually throughout their pregnancy. By the end of her pregnancy, your cat should be eating 25-50% more than her normal amount.

To ensure that she is getting enough food, the free-feed method is advisable, but be sure to measure the amount you feed daily and provide fresh food each day. Feed a diet that is nutrient-dense like Life’s Abundance Cat Food. Consider also feeding a high-quality canned food such as Lifes Abundance Instinctive Choice, to provide extra protein and water. Additionally, providing fresh, clean water is a must. You should not need to increase the amount you are feeding until the fifth or sixth week of pregnancy, and mother cats should not gain more than 15-25% of their body weight by the end of pregnancy. Remember, overweight cats can have a higher risk of difficulties during labor and delivery.

Pregnant cats lose 40% of their pregnancy weight after giving birth; however, they still require two-to-three times their normal amount of food after giving birth in order to produce enough milk to feed their kittens. The protein and fat concentration of their milk is very high, so good nutrition is critical not only during pregnancy but also until the kittens are weaned.

As we mentioned, continual access to fresh, clean water is also very important, as dehydration can affect the milk supply. Change the water out daily or provide a water fountain.

Mother cats should deliver in a quiet, familiar area where they will not be disturbed. Usually, a mother cat will choose her space - all you need to do is provide blankets or towels for her comfort, she will take care of the rest. Unfamiliar surroundings, noise or strangers may cause problems by impeding delivery or milk letdown, or even negatively affect the mother’s instinct to care for her kittens.

A day or two before birth, your cat may stop eating – this is a good sign that delivery is near and she has started stage one of labor. Stage one usually lasts 12-24 hours, and during this time she may become reclusive or restless and nest. If she doesn’t eat for more than a day and shows no signs of delivery, contact your veterinarian, as cats should not go more than a day without a meal.

Normal stage two labor is when the kittens are delivered! The entire delivery can take up to a full day, depending on the litter size. There should not be more than one-to-two hours between kittens. If it seems like delivery is taking longer, or if you have any concerns, call your veterinarian immediately for advice.

A single unspayed female cat and her offspring can account for the birth of 420,000 kittens in a seven-year period. There is an estimated 70 million homeless cats in the United States, and four million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are put down in U.S. shelters each year. Spaying and neutering your pet is a proven way to reduce the number of homeless pets and ensure every pet has a family to love them.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for your dear companions.

Dr. Jane Bicks, DVM

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For a healthy cat food click the following: Lifes Abundance Cat Food

For a healthy canned cat food click the following: Instinctive Choice Canned Cat Food

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Taking home another cat? Prepare, be patient.

Article obtained from Jacques Von Lumen, Pet Talk, and the Oregonian, March 24, 2009

People and kittens are on the move right now. Spring is when a lot of kittens are born -- and brought into new homes shortly thereafter – and a recession such as the one we’re in can force pet owners to move in with relatives or friends to reduce expenses.

Whatever the reason, if pets need to get along with new companions, pet owners can make that process a lot easier for everyone involved. If both pets involved are Canis lupus familaris, aka pooches, things work out easily enough, in general. Dogs have learned to get along with other dogs since they roamed the steppes together in search of food.

Cats? That’s a different story. If you own a cat and plan to add another cat, a dog or a baby to the mix, it’s best to prepare thoroughly.

If you’re adding another cat voluntarily, choosing the right cat is the first step toward avoiding conflict, said Jacqui Neilson, a Portland veterinarian who teaches veterinary behavior at Oregon State University and helps dogs and cats at her Animal Behavior Clinic in Southeast Portland.

Contrary to common belief, studies have shown that neither gender nor size matters when picking a second cat, Neilson said. The best way to have two cats get along? Take in littermates. If that’s not an option, at least pay attention to warnings such as “Doesn’t get along with other cats.” In any case, get ready before the other kitty gets there.

Set up a room to house the new cat separately from the one that rules the house. Furnish that room with litter box, scratching post, food station – the works. And keep, the door closed for a good while. “We all want things quickly,” Neilson said. “But patience is definitely a virtue in this case.”

After some time, start feeding the two cats on opposite sides of the closed door so they can sense each other’s presence while having a pleasant experience. If that goes well, tie two cat toys to the same string and thread it underneath the door – still closed – so they can play together, yet apart.

During this time, do what Marilyn Krieger, a nationally syndicated columnist, calls a “pheromone exchange.” Rub small towels or socks over the cats’ faces. Then put each cat’s towel into the other’s room.

If everything goes well, after a week or so, let them see each other. You could stack baby gates open the door just a crack, Neilson said. Again, take your time with this step.

After a few more days, let them into a room together but be prepared to separate them – you might keep a squirt bottle on hand – if things don’t work out.

It’s important to have something positive happening when the two first come face to face, Neilson said. Provide toys, treats, food, and play. Keep the time limited at first. Each day, increase the time the two spend together and reduce supervision. If problems arise, separate them again and start the process over.

Did we mention this could take a long time?

In severe cases when one cat is living “in constant terror,” is not eating, hides or gets injured, owners may have to consider drug therapy, Neilson said. Also, she said some cats will just never get along and may be a lot happier staying segregated.

Many cats will get along with a dog, no problem. But the dog may not feel the same way. “If I’m introducing a new dog, I’m taking plenty of precautions to make sure the dog can’t get aggressive toward the cat,” Neilson said.

In this scenario, there’s no need for separate rooms, just a lot of safety measures. Keep the dog on a leash initially. Give the cat plenty of get-away options, such as perches. Watch for food aggression in the dog. If you know the dog – or even better, the owner – consider its history. If the history spells problems with cats, be forewarned. “Do not think you can make a difference if the history says otherwise,” Neilson said.

If the newcomer is a newborn human, preparation is key, cat behavior writer Krieger said. She recommends getting the cat used to baby sounds long before the real thing arrives. Owners should find an audio recording of a baby and play it, at soft levels, at regular intervals. “Baby sounds can really startle a cat,” she said. “It sounds like a distressed animal.”

It also helps to get things that smell like a newborn baby and expose the cat to the new smell. Blankets from the hospital or another baby’s clothes can help. When the baby arrives in the home, sit down with the baby and cat and watch the cat’s body language. Make sure the baby can’t reach for the cat.

Providing a tall cat tree for sanctuary from the noise and commotion a baby creates can help keep a cat calm, Krieger said. When babies get older, it’s important to teach them not to chase the cat, not to climb cat trees and how to pet the cat. A parent should always be present. The most important rule kids can learn regarding cats is to not use their hands to play with them. “Hands are for loving, toys are for playing,” Krieger said.

In cases not dictated by economic necessity, it’s also important to ask yourself why you’re adding another pet, said Tanya Roberts, who manages the behavior-training department at the Oregon Humane Society. A lot of times people are getting another pet for the wrong reason, she said. If your cat is acting happy, if it’s greeting you and eating, and grooming, why are you getting another pet?” she said, “Don’t assume it’s lonely just because you would be.”
Jacques Von Lunen also blogs about pets at orgeonlive.com/pets.

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