The festive holiday times are upon us, and memories of my dad cooking the turkey and giving our cat the giblets is something I will always remember. Over the years, each one of our cats has loved this treat, but was it really healthy for them? What else is healthy or should be avoided this holiday season? We’ve compiled a list of easy food do and don’ts for our feline friends.
Turkey or Chicken Kitties can absolutely enjoy some plain, lean poultry (white or dark meat) and be just fine, but avoid giving them any pieces with seasoning, and avoid giving any of the skin. You also should not give kitty anything with gravy. Gravy Definitely don’t give your cat gravy! Rich fatty foods such as gravy can cause diarrhea, and the super high fat content can cause worse problems, too. Giblets Heart & liver gizzards are full of minerals and B vitamins, which is something kitties can always benefit from. Raw or boiled gizzards are safe ways to serve them, and a good meal for a cat. Again, just keep them free of seasonings or gravy! Turkey neck My dad used to boil this and cut out the meat for our cat, but if you do this, be very careful of any bones. Any raw or cooked bones can break up and splinter, causing injury in the mouth and throat, or get stuck in the GI tract. We recommend avoiding feeding them this part altogether. Seafood Sometimes that shrimp cocktail platter is calling your cat's name! Shrimp is safe as long as it is cooked. No dipping sauce either! Deli Meat Chicken and turkey are the most safe deli meat options for cats, and you should avoid giving them the super processed meats such as salami or bologna. Even ham should be on the no list. Milk Cats should not have milk. Ever. Plain and simple. The idea that they can have it is an old wives tale. Cats simply cannot digest milk properly, and the lactose can cause big-time stomach upset. Forget the cute stories of cats drinking milk from saucers, and avoid it. Rice Unlike in dogs, cats gain no nutritional value from rice, and they most likely won’t eat it anyway. Rice won’t do any harm, but it won’t give them any benefits either. Chocolate I have the biggest sweet tooth, but by no means should we ever share it with our feline friends! The caffeine and sugar can be detrimental to a cat; even life threatening. If your cat eats chocolate, call your veterinarian. Pumpkin The caveat with pumpkin is that it must be raw pumpkin, and not canned pumpkin pie filling, because it’s way too rich. Raw pumpkin is high in fiber, and my vet recommends it when my kitty gets a hairball and needs a gentle push to get it through. As with humans, everything should be consumed in moderation. We humans may gorge ourselves on Thanksgiving Day, then take a nap, but don’t do that with your kitty. You may end up cleaning up a big mess, or end up at an emergency vet clinic. Both are easily avoidable if you don’t give them table food, or give it to them with caution. If you have questions about sharing your food, always check with your veterinarian. And if you feel your cat has eaten something potentially dangerous to them, you can call the Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. We wish you and your cats a healthy and happy holiday season! This photo features one of our cute regular hotel guests! What Is a Nebelung Cat?
One of our earliest customers here at Rock the Cat Spa was a stunning kitty from Amarillo, Texas. Kimber quickly became a regular guest, and she is as pretty as ever with her silky, silver-gray fur and green eyes. We decided to learn more about her breed, and here’s what we found out… The name of this breed, Nebelung, has an interesting meaning to it. It is a German name, from the word Nebel, which means fog or mist. Nebelung literally translates to “creature of the mist;” very exotic and spooky! What Do Nebelungs Look Like? This breed is sometimes confused with the Russian Blue, however that breed is short hair only, while Nebelung fur tends to be longer on the tail vs the rest of the body. They are sometimes known as the long-haired Russian Blue. While the two breeds are not related, we definitely understand why they’re lumped together, based on the coat colors of each breed. The Nebelung’s silver-tipped double coat is super silky, and the female cats usually have a collar, or ruff, around their necks. Because of their long, gorgeous fur, frequent brushing is needed! These pretty kitties typically range from 7-15 lbs, and live an average lifespan of 11-16 years. They reach full size around 2 years old. As we mentioned about Kimber, some Nebelung’s have stunning green eyes, but some of them have a yellow-green eye color instead. Either way, it is a striking combination with their dark fur. Is a Nebelung Right for Me? This breed tends to be good for families, and is typically good around kids. They bond with their owners, and would do very well with another cat in the house. Having them with another cat early on is best in order to socialize them well. As great lap cats, Nebelungs are happy to have a quiet space to snuggle up and relax. As with any cat, they would be best kept indoors, and this breed in particular are not known to be hunters. We just love Kimber, and are so happy to see her each time she visits us. We can’t resist running our fingers through her uniquely silky coat. Nebelungs are a great cat to consider if you think this rare breed would be a good fit for your home and lifestyle. You won’t be disappointed! |
AuthorWhen Cari has some free time from all the kitties, she likes to share her knowledge of all things cat in this bi-monthly blog. Enjoy the read! Archives
September 2024
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