When it comes to taking care of a family pet, there is perhaps nothing that we love more than feeding them. It gives us a good feeling to know that we are doing something for them that sustains them and keeps them healthy. Perhaps that is why many of us not only feed our pets at the designated meal times, we may give them treats as well. This is true of all animals in the home, but what about cats? Is it a good idea to give them treats?
Before we start to go over the ins and outs of giving a cat a treat, it is a good idea to give a straight answer. Yes, it is perfectly find to give a cat treats. There are, however, some things you should know that will make a difference in the types of treats you choose and how often you give them to your cat.
First, let’s consider what type of treats you should give the cat. When you go through the pet store isles, you will see a wide range of options for treats, but not all of them are created equally. Some are going to be healthier than others and some are going to be tastier. It is a good idea to pick one that is balanced. You should also try to feed the cat a treat they enjoy, so some testing may be needed.
Some treats may provide other benefits in addition to keeping them well fed and happy. For example, there are some dental treats that help to keep plaque off of the teeth of your feline. Don’t do this instead of cleaning your cat’s teeth, do it in addition to the dental cleaning that is specific for that purpose.
Sometimes, you might want to give your cat a treat that is from the table. Many people will give the cat a piece of chicken (no bones, please) or some tuna fish. Doing so would be fine, as long as you don’t overdo it. One thing you would not want to do, however, is give the cat a steady diet of table scraps. They might eat it, but it isn’t good for them.
How many treats should you give your cat during the day? This is also a question that has different answers, depending on your circumstances. If you give your cat full meals and then a lot of treats, they might gain too much weight. On the other hand, you can modify how much you are feeding them according to how many treats you are giving them.
In the end, the decision to give a cat treats is a personal one. As long as you keep things balanced, however, things should be just fine.