Dear Ms. Meow:
I am a seven-month old calico
cat, and I am friends with the nine-month old tabby next door.
We both eat the same high-quality dry cat food that our humans
get at the pet supply store. But he says he also gets a few spoonfuls
of canned food EVERY day! My humans don't give me ANY--now I'm
worried that I won't grow up to be as strong and healthy as my
neighbor. Can you convince my humans that I, too, need some canned
food?
Craving Canne
Dear Craving:
First of all, please don't
worry--cats can live very well on dry food only. Some time ago
there was evidence that dry food was associated with cystitis
and such a notion was appropriate for that stage of pet food development.
Nowadays, however, both canned and dry foods have about the same
content and are safe for both males and females to eat. The only
problem that might arise in a dry-food only diet for males would
be for those cats who are not the most willing consumers of water.
So, while it isn't absolutely necessary nutritionally for you
to have canned food, many owners do give their cats some each
day because its high moisture content insures that even those
who don't drink a lot will take in sufficient water. It is also
a good idea for a cat to be familiar with the texture and taste
of canned rations and be willing to eat them. Sometimes when
a cat is ill and needs medication it can be mixed in with a little
bit of canned food and served as a special treat to the cat.
Many special diets that are prescribed by veterinarians for a
variety of feline conditions are canned foods also. For all of
these reasons your owner may wish to have you get used to eating
just a little bit of canned food now and then.
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