Like people, feline obesity is on the rise and can lead to a variety of other health problems.
Indoor cats face a higher risk for obesity because they spend all of their time indoors and tend to be inactive. Cat obesity can lead to different illnesses like feline diabetes, urinary disease, liver disease, osteoarthritis, and more. There are several things owners can do to keep their cat healthy, such as limiting the number of cat treats given in a day.
With cat obesity and feline diabetes on the rise, here are some tips on how to keep your feline friend healthy:
1. No human food
Cat food is made with the necessary nutrients and vitamins needed for cats to maintain a healthy diet. Many of the foods that we consume as humans are unhealthy and can be toxic to a cat. A fact that a lot of people are unaware that most cats are lactose intolerant and milk or dairy products can make them very sick. It’s best to stick with just cat food when it comes to cats.
2. Catnip
The chemical that is found within the leaves and stems of this herb drives cats absolutely wild. Cats become very energetic after sniffing catnip and they love to roll around and rub themselves all over it. Whatever sensations they feel after smelling catnip usually last for 10 to 20 minutes. Catnip can safely be ingested by cats in small amounts. When ingested it usually causes cats to become quite mellow and actually works as a sedative. Catnip is a good treat to reward cats with because it makes them feel good and they become very active while sniffing it.
3. Make your own healthy cat treats
This is a good idea for any cat owner who is concerned about their cats health. By making your own treats you know exactly what your cat is eating and you can ensure that it is something nutritious and good for their health. Fish, eggs, and other lean meats make for a good treat. There are tons of nutritious recipes to choose from and there are even organic recipes available.
4. Cat grass
Not only is catnip a good, green treat for cats but cat grass is good as well. Cat grass is made
from oat, wheat, rye, and barley grass and can be purchased at a store or grown at home. Cats love cat grass and it is loaded with benefits. It helps satisfy the craving that cats have for grass, helps to freshen their breath, helps to remove hairballs, contains vitamins, and is low in calories.