pet care & health
Q:
My pitbull is extremely healthy and her diet contains all the requirements for her age and weight. I noticed that every now and then she won’ t eat at mealtimes but will leave it there and eat it the next morning. Is there any harm in doing this? Should I change her feeding time?
– Jackie, Newton
If your dog is otherwise bright, maintaining a healthy weight, drinking normally and showing no signs of illness, occasionally skipping a meal is often not a cause for concern. That said, I generally don’ t recommend leaving food down all day. Wet, fresh, raw or moistened food should not be left out overnight. They should be refrigerated or discarded promptly. Dry food is less perishable, but leaving it down makes changes in appetite harder to detect. Offering a measured meal for a defined period before removing it can help establish a routine and make changes in appetite easier to notice. If she consistently prefers eating later in the evening or in the early morning, you could adjust her feeding schedule to her natural appetite. Consult your vet if she experiences sudden appetite changes, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst, or repeatedly skips meals, showing a persistent change in appetite. These can be early signs of illness.
Q:
Why does my female cat only gravitate towards men? I feed her, take care of her, but she’ s only interested in the men of the household.
– Kim, Parow
Try not to take it personally. There is no strong evidence that cats inherently prefer men. Individual preferences are more likely to reflect the cat’ s personality, previous experiences and how each person interacts with them. They often tend to form stronger bonds with individuals whose behaviour they find predictable, calm and less intrusive. Cats may respond more positively to people who allow them to initiate and control interactions. Let her interact on her terms, using treats, play, and respected boundaries to build trust. Remember, cats often pick a favourite person, and it’ s not always the one who feeds them!
A cat’ s personality and past experiences influence who they bond with. Let her interact on her terms...
Q:
Is it worth buying the most expensive cat food with the highest protein content for my cat, or are the regular supermarket brands just as good?
– Milou, Green Point
“ Higher protein” doesn’ t automatically mean better. What matters most is whether the food is complete and nutritionally balanced for your cat’ s life stage, and that it comes from a manufacturer with good nutritional expertise and quality control. Cats are obligate carnivores and do require more protein than dogs, but the highest protein percentage is not automatically the best choice for every cat. Requirements vary with life stage, body and muscle condition, and health. Protein quality, digestibility and the balance of all the nutrients in the diet are far more important than a number printed on the bag. Price and terms such as“ premium” or“ supermarket” do not reliably indicate nutritional quality. Nutritional expertise, formulation, manufacturing standards, quality control and transparency vary between individual manufacturers at every price point. Rather than choosing based on protein percentage or price alone, look for a food appropriate for your cat’ s age, health and lifestyle, one that your cat enjoys eating while maintaining a healthy condition. Crude protein percentages should only be compared after accounting for differences in moisture and energy content, particularly when comparing wet and dry foods. Still unsure? Your vet could suggest a good diet sans the hefty price tag.
22 www. petpals. co. za