While cats have been living with us for a long time, what remains in their DNA is the way they find and consume their food, explains pet behaviourist Naomi Opalinska.
“There is often a mismatch between what we as humans believe cats want and what they actually need,” she explains. Probably why almost half of owners (46%) feed their feline the amount of food they believe they want versus the recommended portion1.
“The secret to a happy cat is understanding their wild origins. Cats are hunters – it is innate to them. They are also very inquisitive.” In the wild, and in our gardens, cats are solitary hunters. “In a natural setting, a cat will eat ten or more small meals a day, usually hunting from dawn to dusk.”
Some cats will happily adapt to twice-a-day feeding, but for those that won’t there a few simple changes that cat owners can make. In fact, all cats will appreciate a little more variety to their routine.
Firstly, it is a good idea to feed little and often as many like to graze and lots of food left out for long periods of time becomes less appetising for them. Even better, hide food in small quantities around the house, for them to sniff out.
Also, you could think about incorporating some food puzzles into your feeding routine, to mimic the natural foraging and hunting behaviour of your cat.
“Make meal times fun and take away the food bowl! Try using egg boxes, or paper bags with the handles cut off,” says Naomi. “Dry food, such as IAMS for Vitality, is ideal.”
“You could also try scattering feed in different locations – for example on the stairs, or on different levels of a cat tree – or throw individual pieces of kibble for your cat to chase and eat,” adds Naomi.
Why not try making food puzzles at home, for example by taking a cardboard inner tube from a roll of toilet paper, placing some food inside, then folding over the ends and cutting a small hole in the middle. When your cat rolls it around the floor, the food falls out for them to pounce on.
Kellie Ceccarelli, IAMS Veterinary External Relations Manager adds, “Whichever way you choose to feed your pet, the most important thing is to ensure they receive a complete and balanced diet. IAMS for Vitality has been tailored to fit all life stages and specific needs allowing you to enjoy your pet at their very best. With fresh chicken and a new wheat-free2 recipe, IAMS for Vitality combines high-quality animal protein3 in crunchy kibbles with a vacuum coating to lock in irresistible flavours.”
IAMS for Vitality contains no fillers, artificial colours, flavours or GMOs so you can rest assured your feline friend is getting a complete and balanced diet. What’s more, kibbles are a great way of helping to keep your cat’s teeth clean and healthy for purr-fect smiles all round!
For more information about the range and feeding guidelines, visit www.iams.co.uk/forvitality.
