As we transition into the warmer months (paws crossed), we wanted to share insight for cat parents—from an expert. This article was submitted to us by Pippin, a 6-year-old Siamese cat who lives in Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood. Feedback is welcome, although it may need to be accompanied by treats! Read on to learn more…
Hello, human.
The reappearance of those flying delicacies you call “birds” tells me that winter is nearly over and spring is upon us. As I perch here on my sun-drenched couch I can see your look of puzzlement, as you marvel at the mystery that is moi, perhaps wondering if the changing seasons mean anything to me.
Oh you poor, simple creature: seasons come and go, catitude is a constant.
That said, if you must concern yourself with my business, I suppose I can share some brilliant insight on how to help me maintain my perfect physique in the transition from winter to spring .
When you turn the furnace up and down or open and close windows to keep pace with fluctuating spring temperatures, I get treated to fresh blasts of dust and allergens. You know this thrills me. And I see you’ve decided it’s time to turn over the linens and bring back those down-filled pillows that make me itch. Purrfect. Are you sensing sarcasm in my tone? What can I say, it’s a gift!
Another gift I have is keeping secrets. I’m a vault. I can disguise dry, itchy skin with overgrooming. I can hide my *ahem* waste when it’s slightly abnormal. I once overheard Performatrin nutritionist Kylie Hogan say that by nature, cats like to hide everything. She knows us so well.
“You have to be a little more in tune with your cat to notice when [seasonal] changes are happening,” she says. “Cats might feel like their stomach is upset and they're having some sort of allergic or sensitive reaction but they try to hide their throw up or they'll really cover up their stool and some people don't pay attention.”
Like all humans she says a lot of words, but I’d say the main takeaway is “pay attention to me.” I’m sensitive and even though I see fit to live full-time inside your home, outdoor allergens and parasites can still affect me.
What is this substance you’ve put in my food bowl? I can hear you going on about “proper nutrition” and “winter weight gain” and as one who enjoys food immensely, these words offend me. I don’t like change, especially when it comes to my menu. I have standards, so if you’re going to offer a new dish, please make sure it meets them.
Kylie says you should be giving me more wet food and frankly I couldn’t agree more. “I still believe in feeding dry food to cats because it's the easiest way to get a complete and balanced diet,” she advises.
“But I think more cats should be eating wet food because in my studies, we looked at dry and wet food and the differences that it makes in a cat's metabolism, their happiness, and their ability to self-sustain throughout the day — especially when you have a fatter cat or you're trying to limit weight gain.”
She says wet food is often best because there's more bulk and moisture to it, meaning most of what I’m intaking is water. That not only helps with my, uh, urinary problems, but also keeps me satisfied, even with fewer calories.
Look, I’m stretching ALL four of my limbs while lying in this patch of sun and yawning, err, breathing deeply. I’m certain this is precisely what you humans call “yoga.” And yet you ask for more.
“The biggest issue with cats is being overweight,” Kylie says. “They definitely don't get enough exercise because you don't really take a cat for a walk.”
Would you BELIEVE I once considered Kylie a friend?
Personal vendettas aside, if you’re going to get me to exercise then the least you can do is make it interesting.
How about a new toy that we can play with together? I’ve had my eye on the latest mouse-on-the-end-of-a-string model… toys like this make me feel like the hunter I am. And so, it’s time, and we must part ways. I will leave you here with this photograph of me looking fabulous next to this potted plant.
Keep your cat in tip-top health as we transition from winter-to-spring, and beyond
From tackling extra winter weight, to seasonal allergies and other common sources of stress, our Animal Care Experts will help your feline BFF stay happy and healthy.
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