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Has your cat trained you to dish out the treats
with a flick of her tail and a demanding meow? Unfortunately,
many of the kitty treats currently available in
pet supply stores contain large amounts of sugar
and fat, which can lead to an overweight animal.
By opting for nutritionally complete and balanced
treats, you can add variety to your pet's diet without
packing on the pounds.
Low-Fat and High Fiber Cat Treats Are Recommended
Snack time shouldn't mean sugar time, so it's a
good idea to read the label on any treat you're
considering. If sugars are high on the ingredients
list, it's best to avoid that product, especially
if your pet is obese or diabetic. ANIMED recommends
low-fat, high-fiber varieties. Chewable pet vitamins,
relatively low in calories, are also a good choice,
but make sure to follow the manufacturer's suggested
dosage.
Catnip-flavored treats have sent many a feline
into a playful frenzy, although some cats don't
react to catnip at all. You needn't worry if your
cat gets crazy about catnip. Research has not found
this plant to be addictive or harmful to cats..
Natural Cat Treats Are Healthy Alternatives
ANIMED also recommends some healthy alternatives
to store-bought treats. Although some human foods
are simply not appropriate for cats, certain table
scraps are fine in moderation. Too many treats can
cause stomach upsets. Limit the selection to foods
such as rice, small bits of string cheese, well-cooked
hamburger and skinned chicken breast. Avoid spicy
foods and fatty meats, and never give bones to your
cat. Absolute no-nos are onions and chocolate, which
can be toxic to cats.
You can also try offering fresh fruits and vegetables,
which are ideal for overweight cats. Try carrot
sticks, apples and cooked green beans. Some felines
love fresh melon, corn and cooked broccoli. Why
not see if your cat is among this group?
Some cats occasionally love to munch on grass.
To avoid chemicals and fertilizers that may be on
the grass growing in your backyard, you may want
to grow your own flats of grass inside. Many pet-supply
stores offer kits complete with seeds and soil.
And a few final words of caution - If you are offering
treats as part of your cat's training program, keep
the number of rewards during training sessions to
a minimum, especially if you are using high-calorie
treats. And as a rule of thumb, don't offer treats
right before meals.
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