It’s hard to resist giving a treat for your cat. Pet owners love to pamper their friend. But treat healthy?
We, people, like sweets and cookies. And cats like treats. The industry has recognized this and packed our supermarkets and pet stores with all kinds of snacks for cats. There is also a growing interest in cat treat recipes.
There’s nothing wrong with giving your cat a treat. But a few things should be kept in mind.
Experts say snacks should never exceed 20 percent of your cat’s diet.
Very often snacks are not nutritionally balanced. But if you give special cat treats in small amounts, it will not harm your cat’s health.
Good quality food should always be the main dish – not a treat for your cat. Some say that semi-moist or canned food should be given as a treat and dry food as the main dish.
A treat for your cat does have several positive functions. Snacks can be given to reward good behavior. When teaching tricks treats are essential.
Give hard treats, not soft.
Some treats have pleasant side effects. There are snacks that prevent bad breath or remove plaque or tartar. Others help your cat to get rid of hairballs. Hard treats are better for your cat’s teeth than soft or wet snacks.
A popular treat is a milk. If you want to give this, only serve milk for cats that is sold in pet stores. If your cat – like many do – suffers from lactose intolerance, cow’s milk can cause diarrhea and gas.
Food from your plate is not a good treat for your cat.
Your feline friend may be begging, but giving food from your own plate will only encourage your pet to keep on begging. Apart from that, our diet is usually not suitable for a cat.
Conclusion: give treats, but don’t overdo it.
The easiest way is to buy a treat for your cat from a pet store. There is a wide choice of tasty and crunchy snacks available.
But why not get yourself a book with cat treat recipes and start cooking? Prepare your own treat for your cat. Your four-legged friend will never stop loving you!
