Cats are Nibblers Who Enjoy Leisurely Meals
Like many behaviors, several aspects of the domestic cat’s eating behavior can be traced back to its ancestor, the African wildcat. Wildcats are similar in size to the domestic cat and their primary prey consists of small rodents such as field mice and voles. Because their prey is small, wildcats hunt and eat frequently throughout the day – making them a “nibbling predator”. This type of feeding behavior is persists in our domestic cat. If offered food free-choice, most cats prefer to nibble at their food throughout the day and evening, usually consuming between 9 and 16 small meals within a 24-hour period. As a result of their solitary nature, wildcats do not need to share meals, nor do they compete with each other over killed prey. Our domestic cats reflect this history in their tendency to consume food slowly and in the absence of strong food-guarding behaviors in the presence of other familiar cats. This contrasts sharply with dogs, who typically compete for food and may increase their rate of eating or guard their bowl whenever another dog is present.
Cats Should Not be Fed as if They Were Small Dogs!
While the cat is a true carnivore, the domestic dog is considered to be much more omnivorous in nature, consuming a varied diet that includes meat as well as many types of plant products. Because of these nutritional differences, diets that are formulated for dogs typically contain more plant matter, are lower in protein, and contain lower concentrations of taurine than diets formulated for cats. In addition, dry foods that are designed for cats have kibble sizes and shapes that are appealing to cats and are safe for them to consume. Although it may seem convenient to attempt to feed your dog and your cat the same food, your cat may not receive proper nutrition from a food that was formulated for dogs. Play it safe and select foods for each of your pets based upon their species, age and lifestyles!
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