What fish is safe for cats?

A stereotypical image we tend to have of cats is eating fish and drinking milk. It can therefore be tempting to give your feline friend a piece of fish every now and again as a treat. However, should you be feeding your pet raw fish? In this article, Whiskas investigates what to feed cats when it comes to raw fish.

Can cats eat raw fish?

Unfortunately, raw fish can contain bacteria that could give your cat food poisoning. Although the ‘fresh fish’ in the supermarket may seem like a tasty treat for your pet, you should avoid feeding them raw fish just to be on the safe side. If you are going to give your cat some fish, it is very important to ensure that it has been properly cooked and does not contain any potentially harmful additives, seasonings or flavourings. 

Also, a nutritional factor to consider is that the enzymes in raw fish can destroy the vitamins present in the fish. This means, your cat will be able to absorb more vitamins from properly cooked fish rather than raw fish. 

Can cats eat tuna?

Cats are well-known for loving tuna, and even the act of opening a tin might cause your cat to appear by your side with a hungry look in their eyes. However, you need to be careful with what type of tuna and the quantity you are planning to feed your cat.

Foremost, it is not advised to give kittens tuna because they are much smaller and therefore at higher risk of steatitis (a feline intestinal disease) or mercury poisoning from consuming the fish.

Tuna contains proteins, amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins that are good for your cat and therefore healthy to eat in small quantities. But before you feed your cat tuna, check these important precautions: 

• the tuna should be cooked, never feed your cat raw tuna 
• canned tuna is not the best option, as although it is already cooked, it will not contain the essential nutrients your cat needs 
• choose tuna in water or brine rather than oil, as oil is fattening and not healthy for your cat to eat
• feed tuna in very small quantities and monitor your cat closely when they eat it to check for any adverse reactions

Can cats eat salmon?

Salmon is another type of fish that contains plenty of protein, omega 3 fatty acids and nutrients that are good for cats, but similarly to tuna, it should not be the main portion of your cat’s diet. Cats can actually become addicted to salmon (and tuna) and may start to refuse their normal food in favour of these more exotic treats. Therefore, salmon should only be given to your cat as an occasional treat.

Feeding your cat salmon also depends on how it is prepared. If the salmon has been deep-fried or cooked at a high temperature, its nutritional quality is likely to be reduced. Roasted, grilled or poached salmon is a healthier option for your cat. Never season the salmon or add other flavourings, dressings or ingredients, as these can be toxic to cats.

It’s also important that you do not give your cat canned, smoked or cured salmon because these contain high levels of sodium that can be dangerous for cats, and potentially cause death. If you suspect your cat may have eaten this type of fish, take them to see a vet immediately. 

Can cats eat sardines?

Sardines are smaller fish that can also make a delicious snack for your cat. They contain protein, vitamin B12 and omega 3 fatty acids, which can be good for keeping your cat in a healthy condition. Again, like tuna and salmon, sardines should only be fed occasionally.

If you would like to give your cat sardines, take care to choose the right sort. Sardines that come in sauces could contain sodium, unhealthy fats, or toxic ingredients such as onions or garlic that can cause your cat harm. Go for sardines in water instead. You can also freeze fresh sardines to thaw, cook and chop up for your cat as a tasty treat. One sardine per week is enough, but if you are unsure how much to give your cat, always consult a vet. 

Page 2

Cats are often the king or queen of the household, with their adoring owners waiting on them hand and foot ready to meet their every need. For this reason, it can be tempting to feed your cat whenever they demand to be fed, rather than sticking to a feeding schedule. However, this isn’t always healthy for your cat, and can quickly lead to weight gain. So, how many times a day should you feed a cat? Royal Canin investigates…

How often should you feed a cat?

How often you should feed your cat depends on a few factors; for example, how old they are. Cats should be fed according to their life stage, whether that’s kitten, adult, or senior. It will also depend on your schedule and when you’ll be around to feed them. 

As cats have small stomachs – roughly the size of a ping-pong ball – they are best suited to eating little and often. Cats who are fed large portions may become sick after meals or put on weight over time. Therefore, a few smaller meals a day should work well for your cat instead of one large one. 

If you decide on set mealtimes, make sure to stick to these times of day, as cats like routine. If you are out of the house during the day, feeding once in the morning and once in the evening will be enough, as well as leaving a bowl of dry kibble out for your cat to snack on throughout the day. 

Although some cat owners choose to ‘free feed’ their cat and leave out food all day for them to graze on, this makes it hard to monitor how much your cat is eating and can lead to weight gain. This is especially true if you have more than one cat, as it is difficult to tell who is eating what. To combat this, consider feeding your cats separately as part of your feeding routine. 

How much food should I feed my cat?

How much food you give your cat ultimately depends on their breed and lifestyle. For example, if you have an indoor cat, they might not need as much food as outdoor cats.

If you feed your cat wet food, one pouch per mealtime should be enough. If your cat doesn’t eat the whole pouch, you could refrigerate it and when your cat is hungry again, gently warm the food back up in the microwave.

However, if your cat repeatedly doesn’t eat all their wet food in one sitting, giving them dry food might be a better option, so they can return to the food when they want. If wet food is left out for extended periods of time it goes off and will have to be thrown away. If you only feed your cat dry food, make sure they have access to fresh drinking water, too. Most owners like to give their cats a mix of wet and dry food for variety. 

Monitor your cat’s weight carefully to determine whether you are feeding them the right amount. If your cat starts to look overweight, you will need to reduce their food intake. To assess your cat’s physical condition, use your hands to carefully feel around their ribs and waist. If it isn’t easy to feel their ribcage and you can’t easily see their waist, they are likely overweight. Always ask a vet for advice on helping your cat to lose weight so you can do it carefully and safely.

Similarly, if your cat’s ribs, backbone and waist are visible, they might be underweight; you should ask a vet for advice on how to safely increase their weight. 

Usually pet food packaging contains helpful guidelines on how much to give your pet. Alternatively, you can use a cat feeding guide or ask a vet for advice if you are unsure. 

How often should I feed my kitten?

As kittens have a lot of growing to do, they need to eat up to four times the calories per pound of body weight as adult cats. However, as their stomach is a lot smaller than that of an adult cat, kittens need to be fed numerous small meals a day to give them the correct calorie and nutrient intake.

After kittens are weaned, at about six to eight weeks, they can start eating up to six servings of specially formulated kitten food. As your kitten gets bigger, you can gradually reduce the number of meals you give them per day until they reach adulthood, or around one year of age. 

How often should I feed a senior cat?

Senior cats have different nutritional needs to younger cats and may require a special senior cat food. Older cats tend to spend more time relaxing and sleeping, so they do not need as many calories as younger, more active cats. They may need additional nutrients, though; for example, taurine. The Whiskas® Senior range contains extra taurine to help your cat’s vision and heart, as well as zinc and linoleic acid for healthy skin and coat, and phosphorus to help their bladder function normally. 

With this in mind, you may find that your senior cat is happy with just one or two meals a day. However, you should always ask a vet’s advice on how best to feed them.

Page 3

Giving your cat treats can be great for feline friendship building and works well when training cats. However, it can be difficult to navigate quantity and timing, and issues like treat addiction and obesity can become serious problems that are all-too common. In this article, Whiskas answers the question how many treats should I give my cat and offers tips on healthy treat feeding habits.

How many cat treats is too much? 

Cat treats can include cat milk, catnip, cooked meat or fish, catnip and biscuit treats. 

Treats should only make up five to ten percent of your cat’s required daily calorie intake. This will depend on your cat’s age, breed, health conditions, and level of fitness. For example, highly active and healthy kittens can have more treats than less active older cats . Usually store-bought cat treats will have serving recommendations. You can find out exactly how many calories your cat needs according to their weight, health conditions and breed by visiting a vet. 

Signs that your cat is eating too many treats include skin reactions, foaming at the mouth, vomiting, gas, diarrhoea or constipation and refusal to eat their usual cat food meal. 

If you are worried about feeding your cat too many treats or they have food allergies, you can try using a cat food with a different texture than their usual one. An example is using dry cat food or kibble if your cat usually only eats wet cat food. 

Can too many cat treats be harmful? 

Too many cat treats can lead to obesity in cats, due to the high calorie content, and digestive problems such as vomiting or diarrhoea. Filling up on too many treats also means your cat is not getting the required nutrients, vitamins and minerals from their nutritionally balanced cat food. Keep in mind that treats should only complement your cat’s main meals, not replace them.

• Too much human food
  While your cat’s sweet begging eyes are hard to resist, feeding them too many titbits of human food can encourage them to steal from the kitchen or table, increasing the risk of eating a toxic food. Also, foods like cow’s milk and dairy products can be harmful since most adult cats are lactose intolerant and do not benefit from milk. Read more about which human foods are poisonous to cats here.

• Too many catnip treats
  When it comes to giving your cat catnip as a treat, remember it is a natural plant and not addictive; but if your cat eats too much catnip, vomiting and diarrhoea can ensue. If your cat eats too much catnip, remove it and they should be able to recover given time and care. You should also be aware that too much frequent exposure to catnip can dull your cat’s response to it. 

• Too many biscuit treats
  Too many biscuit treats that are not ‘complete and balanced’ will dilute your cat’s daily nutrient intake. Cat treats high in sodium/salt can cause your cat to drink excessively. If they are high in calories and/or fat, your cat could become overweight and develop health problems such as bladder stones, skin infections, osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and cancer. 

Contact a vet immediately if your cat displays any serious reactions or worrying symptoms after eating cat treats.

How many treats should a cat have a day?

Treats should generally be reserved for rewarding good behaviour, cat training or complementing your cat’s normal food, although there are also treats designed to have health benefits such as reducing tartar building up on teeth or hairballs in the stomach. Remember, treats should only take up ten percent of your cat’s daily required calories intake. Read packaging labels for serving recommendations and check in with your vet to find out exactly how much to treat your cat.

A healthy cat of average weight can have up to 12 Whiskas® Temptations Adult Cat treats per day. Feed up to 16 Whiskas® Dentabites Cat Treats, or feed up to ten Whiskas® Anti-Hairball Cat Treats. 

• When feeding the maximum number of treats
  To keep your cat active when feeding the maximum number of treats per day, mix cat treats into playtime. For example, you can hide treats around the home to stimulate your cats natural hunting instincts, attach them to the end of a toy to play chase or use an interactive treat dispensing toy.

• When not to treat
  Avoid using treats to reinforce bad behaviours including excessive meowing, clawing or biting which can also be signs of treat addiction. Nor should they be used for relieving stress, because your cat can develop an unhealthy coping mechanism for stress as a result. 

How many treats a day can you give a kitten?

Kittens are ready for treats when their teeth have grown in and they’ve already been weaned onto solid foods. It’s an excellent time to use treats for training a kitten and for rewarding good behaviour. Read packaging labels for serving recommendations and check with your vet to find out exactly how many treats your kitten can have daily. For example, you can feed a healthy kitten up to 18 Whiskas® Kitten Milky Treats.

Page 4

How many times have you served your cat a full portion of cat food and come back to see a great deal of leftovers? Perhaps the untouched food is in a ring shape around the edge of the food bowl, or maybe your cat has only had one bite and walked away. If you find that your feline friend never seems to finish all their food, you are probably wondering what causes this kind of cat behaviour. Whiskas looks at some of the common reasons why your cat might not be finishing their food and offers advice on what you can do. 

The obvious reason

Often, we jump to the worst conclusions and forget the obvious reason why a cat might not finish their food: its stomach is full. Cats have small stomachs; on average about the size of a ping-pong ball, so their eating patterns can involve several breaks rather than eating an entire portion in one sitting. It’s also possible that your cat is filling up on food from another source. To find the other food source, you can ask your neighbours or try following your cat when they go outside. If you feed your cat wet cat food and they take long breaks between bites, check the clock. If it has been four hours since you put the food down, you should discard it and remember to always wash your cat’s food bowl before refilling. 

Ancestral instincts 

As predators, cats in the wild would prey on small animals like birds or rodents and instinctively hunt frequently throughout a day. Unlike humans, eating and predatory behaviours in cats are not triggered by hunger. Every bird or rodent caught offers a small amount of energy and nutrition for the cat. These instincts are also present in domestic cats, meaning they usually prefer to eat small amounts of food, up to 15 times a day on average. Hence, you should leave some of your cat’s food out during the day for them to nibble on. You can also make finishing kibble more exciting for your cat by playing to their hunting instincts and hiding dry food around the home. Just be sure to remember where you hide the food in case your cat does not eat it before it spoils. 

Why is my cat acting like their food bowl is empty?

You might find this type of cat behaviour strange, but some cats only eat the food in the centre of the food bowl and then act as if it is empty, despite an outer ring of leftovers. If your cat does this, it is likely that they are avoiding the sides of their food bowl because their whiskers are more sensitive. Some cat breeds have more sensitive whiskers than others and are not comfortable pushing them into a deep bowl. In this case, you can try a shallower food bowl shape or reposition your cat’s food so that it is more comfortable for them to take bites of. 

Can cats get tired of eating the same food?

Yes, cats can get bored of eating the same type of food every day. That’s one of the reasons why Whiskas recommends mixing up your cat’s food with part wet food and part dry food. Whiskas recommends that two-thirds of your cat’s daily calorie intake is from wet food and one-third from dry food. 

You may also notice your cat has flavour preferences. Try feeding your cat different cat food flavours and textures. For example, if you have only been feeding them dry cat food with chicken, you could test whether tuna in jelly food pouches go down better. If your cat never seems to finish their full portion of cat food, consult a vet. A vet can help you find the right diet for your cat, or assess whether your cat has any health issues. 

Page 5

Kittens, adult cats, senior cats and super-senior cats all have different dietary requirements. During growth as a kitten, they need different balances of nutrients to ensure healthy growth. When cats are adult they need nutrients to support healthy body maintenance and in their senior years they need nutrition that support their aging bodies. In addition, indoor cats benefit from a diet tailored to their needs as they require different energy levels to cats that have access to the outdoors. Whiskas cat food is tailored by the life-stage (age) and lifestyle of the cat. Kittens need to eat specially formulated kitten food until they are 12 months old.  Adult cats need adult food between 1-7 years before moving onto Senior food at 7+ years.

Cats enjoy variety in their diet. They enjoy the crunch of dry kibble, the texture of which also has an oral care benefit as it is abrasive on the teeth and helps to remove plaque from the tooth surface as the cat eats. Cats have evolved from hot climates and don’t naturally drink much water, therefore the moisture they consume in wet food helps keep them hydrated and can provide a benefit to their urinary tract health.  Whiskas recommends feeding a mixture of wet and dry food every day.  In the wild, cats naturally eat several small meals every day, therefore, feeding a pouch of wet food morning and night with a portion of dry food available for your cat to graze on during the day can help satisfy their natural desire to consume small meals regularly. Another great way of offering their dry food is by putting their daily ration into puzzle feeders around the house. Cats then seek their toys and are enjoying physical activity as well as being mentally stimulated enjoying the challenge of extracting the dry food from the toy.

Page 6

In the wild, big cats get all the nutrition they need from their prey. While your feline friend shares their cousins' natural instinct to eat whatever they catch, they rely on you to feed them a healthy, balanced diet. So it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with what they need.

Vitamins for growth

Cat foods containing liver, kidneys, yeast and grains are all good sources of vitamins. All the vitamins your cat needs, in exactly the right amounts, can be found in Whiskas® Adult food.

Minerals for bones

Essential fatty acids for health

Carbohydrates and fibre for digestion

Protein for strength

Feeding your cat Whiskas® is the best way to give them the right nutrition. Whiskas® provides a perfectly balanced diet, with all the nutrients needed to keep your cat happy and healthy! View our full range of dry food and wet food.

Page 7

Some people are allergic to cats, but did you know that some cats are allergic to different kinds of food? If your vet diagnoses your cat with a food allergy, the simplest solution is to make sure they don't eat the offending food.

The elimination diet

• Let your vet know about any unusual reactions to certain foods

Page 8

Catnip is the one thing that can render a cat helpless with excitement. It encourages your cat to play, exercise and generally feel good. But why does catnip attract cats, and how can you use it to keep your cat happy?

What is catnip?

Do all cats react to catnip?

How long do the effects of catnip last?

Is catnip completely safe?

Is catnip useful?

Can I grow my own catnip?

Harvesting your catnip

Page 9

• If you have out-of-date cat food in your cupboard, can your cat eat it? Find out in this handy article.

  Out-of-date cat food can have multiple risks for your cat's health.

  Read on to learn more about out-of-date cat food, and how you can prevent your cat's food from spoiling.

• It may be tempting to give your cat some fish, but is it really good for them?

  If you want to give your cat some fish, it is important to ensure that it has been properly cooked.

  Read on to learn more about how to correctly prepare and cook fish so that your cat can safely eat it.

• It can be tempting to feed your cat when they want, rather than sticking to a feeding schedule. But is this good for their health?

  Cats should be fed according to their lifestage; whether that's kitten, adult, or senior.

  Read on to learn how many times a day you should be feeding your feline friend.

• Giving your cat treats is great for bonding and works well for training. But how many treats is too many?

  Treat addiction and obesity can become serious problems that are all-too-common in cats.

  The amount of treats you give your cat depends on a few factors. You can learn about them here.

• If you find that your cat never seems to finish their food, there could be several reasons why.

  Cats' eating patterns can involve several breaks, rather than eating an entire portion in one sitting.

  Discover some of the common reasons why cats don’t finish their food, and learn some valuable advice on what you can do.

• Kittens, adult cats, senior cats and super-senior cats all have different dietary requirements.

  Cats enjoy variety in their diet

  Indoor cats benefit from a diet tailored to their needs as they require different energy levels to outdoor cats.

• In the wild, big cats get all the nutrition they need from their prey. While your feline friend shares their cousins' natural instinct to eat whatever they catch, they rely on you to feed them a healthy, balanced diet. So it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with what they need.

  A good supply of minerals will make sure your cat has strong teeth and bones.

  Vitamins for growth

  Your cat needs vitamins for all sorts of important bodily functions. They help their vision, bone growth and metabolism – in fact, almost every part of your cat’s body needs vitamins for one reason or another.

• Some people are allergic to cats, but did you know that some cats are allergic to different kinds of food? If your vet diagnoses your cat with a food allergy, the simplest solution is to make sure they don't eat the offending food.

  The first thing your vet will ask for is a list of foods that your cat eats regularly.
  

  The elimination diet If you know there’s a problem, but aren’t sure what food is causing it, your vet will help you come up with a special “elimination diet”.

• Catnip is the one thing that can render a cat helpless with excitement. It encourages your cat to play, exercise and generally feel good. But why does catnip attract cats, and how can you use it to keep your cat happy?

  Catnip is non-addictive, so you can rest assured that it won’t harm them at all.

  What is catnip? Catnip – also known as catmint – is a herb from the mint family. People have been using catnip’s medicinal properties to cure all sorts of complaints since ancient Roman times. As for cats – they just can’t get enough of it!