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Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?

Cats are amongst the most popular pets all around the world. They are truly impressive animals. Domesticated cats are distant relatives to big wild cats, such as lions, tigers, panthers and others. Despite being much smaller, they have a lot of things in common, including they royal attitude, skills and agility and their hunting and eating habits. Cats are quite independent animals, but they can be very loyal, cuddly and dear pets.

Cats are also gentle and soft furry fellows. Many people who don’t know them think cats are too proud to be tamed and too self-willed to obey the rules. They also think cats are indifferent or even mean towards humans. That’s not truth. Cats can be extremely devoted to their owners. In fact, a cat will suffer, just as dog will, when its dear and loving humans are away. A cat is not a pet for every person. If you think of adopting one of these amazing animals, you need to be ready for a long term commitment, a lot of patience and devotion.

Cats are independent by nature, but as pets, they are quite demanding. They require regular medical care, good and healthy nutrition, the best possible living conditions and, above all, your time and unconditional love. Cats love to cuddle and play, when they are in mood for that kind of fun. Don’t neglect it or leave alone for long periods of time, especially if you’ve got a kitten. Cats are intelligent animals and despite their caprices, they know to obey the house rules. Take a good care of your feline and you’ll get yourself a wonderful pet and friend.

Healthy nutrition for cats

Your new furry friend is an obligate carnivore. Cats need meat in order to grow and develop normally and healthy. Cats’ organism is designed to process meat food and get the most of its valuable content. It needs animal origin proteins, in the first place. They are full of essential amino acids, which are required for growth and development of the whole cat’s body. In nature, it would get them from small prey animals, such as birds, mice, rats and other.

Feeding a cat has become much easier these days, since pet food industry has grown really big. There are various good products to feed your cat. Those are formulated to meet each pet’s individual nutritional needs, so there is a great deal of high quality cat food products. Seek for an expert’s advice on what should be good for your cat and find the best match.

Cat food products include different composition of nutrients for different cat breeds and individual cat’s characteristics. There are good products for adult cats, old or weak ones, pregnant females, kittens and other. You can also make some food at home. Since your cat needs meat, choose only high quality one and prepare it in a proper way. Food other than meat could be given only as an occasional treat or as a remedy, after consulting an expert. Food like blueberries can be eaten by cats, but shouldn’t be a constant part of your pet’s diet.

Tasty pumpkins for your feline

Cats don’t naturally eat pumpkins, but here are some benefits they can get from eating them.  Pumpkins are rich in fiber, the matter that can’t be broken by cat’s body enzymes. Fiber is good for cats’ digestion, it promotes their bowel functioning and gets them a feeling of fullness. This is why some pumpkins could be good in treatment of obese cats. It is also good both for diarrhea and constipation. Due to its fiber content and kind of a laxative effect, pumpkins are also good for getting rid of hairballs. In addition, pumpkins are full of valuable nutrients, which are not so necessary for cats, but can be good. A lot of vitamins and minerals could affect your cat’s skin, eyes, bones and coat in a good way.

Always follow your veterinarian instructions on feeding your feline, especially when it comes to food that is not on a regular menu. Yes, a pumpkin could benefit your cat, but never ever consider it a regular food. A half of teaspoon to a teaspoon of pumpkin daily will be sufficient for an adult cat. When feeding your cat pumpkins, you need to take certain precautions.

Don’t feed your cat raw pumpkin and soft material from its center. Pumpkin products with additives are strictly to be avoided, as well. Remove stems and skin, they are rough and indigestible. You can feed your cat canned pumpkin, free of all additives. Well baked fresh pumpkin, cooled down and with seeds removed could be a really great treat or addition to your cat’s diet. Pumpkin seeds can also be given to cats, roasted and grinded, than added to food.  Seeds could be given only in extremely small amounts, less than eight of a teaspoon.

Most cats find pumpkins tasteful. If your cat doesn’t like it and you still want to feed it some good pumpkins, you can mix it into your feline’s wet food meal.