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You’ve always known your feline friend was superior amongst us mere mortals, but did you know that when it comes to selecting what to eat, their choices are founded in science and evolution?
So, over in one corner, you have Rufus, who is probably not opposed to eating last night’s leftovers off your plate, and in the other, you have Snowball, who looks at you in disdain when you put down his food.
Sometimes having a cat can seem like trying to please a picky toddler whose preferences change, even daily. But, unlike a toddler, a cat wants what they want because it’s the best for them.
“There’s no fooling your cat, and it’s not because they’re fussy eaters,” Doctor Jan Moll, veterinarian consultant at Bon Appétit, explains. It comes down to genetics, physiology and early learning.
Genetics
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on a diet high in animal protein, not carbohydrates. Not only are all their teeth sharp and designed for tearing and holding prey, but they’re not ‘chewing’ teeth, so any food that is too large cannot be swallowed and is uncomfortable to eat. Cats’ jaws are relatively small and cannot move sideways, only up and down, and this makes it even more difficult for them to chew the incorrect types of food. Soft, protein-rich foods such as mousses and paté are preferable over dried pellets and large pieces of meat.
Physiology
You want to receive purrs of praise and meows of delight when you serve your cat their meals. Making sure their food smells great is step one to rave reviews. Smell is extremely important to cats when it comes to appetite stimulation. Don’t be surprised if noses are turned up at food straight from the fridge, as the smell has been dampened. Try a few flavours of canned food, and notice how the aroma gets your cat’s attention versus plain dried pellets.
Early learning
Cats often learn dietary preferences when young, and often they learn from their mothers. This is important to keep in mind, especially when adopting a teen or adult cat, as they may have been exposed to very different foods in their past. Give them time to adjust to their new diet. Expose kittens to different flavours and textures from early on so they’ll get used to what’s good quality and good for them.
Remember umami… or should that be u-meow-mi.
According to Doctor Jan, “Cats do not have a tastebud that can detect ‘sweet’ flavours, but only ‘salt, sour and bitter’ Anything sweet therefore has no appeal to a cat.” Cat food that is high in protein, made with delectable flavours, and smells that way, is what kitty is after.
The key is to feed your cats a balanced, nutritious, and protein-rich meal in small portions throughout the day.
The single-serving meals combine superior flavours and textures that are ideal for a cat’s teeth, jaws and nutritional needs. Each serving offers a fresh meal that is easy to eat with maximum palatability.
From soft textures in mousse form, your fluffy companion is sure to love the variety of food flavours, such as salmon, shrimp, turkey and tuna.
Be patient with your cat when it comes to mealtimes as they’re not being fussy for no reason, and with the above tips in mind, you’ll be able to serve up food that your cat will enjoy… who knows, you may even be awarded five stars, or should that be five purrs?