cats diet vs dogs diet

[mandimoo]

after watching 'its me or the dog' for a few weeks, victoria seems to be stressing the point often regarding 'how would you feel if you only had dry buscuits to eat'. and also that dogs enjoy a varied diet. fair enough, point taken. i have a cat that eats only dry food because i have heard that cats stomach cant take rapid changes in diet. if i introduced it slowly, would it harm my cat to feed him steamed veg, as a regular soft addition?

[lankeela]

As the better quality dried foods are well balanced and the companies spend ���s formulating them, there is no need to alter the balance by giving anything else. As you say, your cat eats his dry food ok, and if he is healthy why change? I think you might also struggle to get him to eat vegetables on their own!

My dogs have dry food down all the time and they help themselves when they want it. They also get 'leftovers' if I get a takeaway but they are happy and healthy. Yes they would love fresh steak if I gave it to them, but this would upset the balance of their diet and would be unfair as they could not have it all the time. They occasionally get a 'pouch' of meat on their dry food and they don't eat it any quicker than the dry on its own.

I think these TV programmes do more harm than good by making people think theirs are the only ways to do things.
Most of the behavioural problems are caused by the owners not having found out enough about the animals beforehand, and anyone with a modicum of common sense could work out how to correct the behaviour anyway. But that would not make good television, would it?

[Noweia]

Whereas dogs are omnivores and can eat plant and vegetable matter, cats are obligate carnivores and so must eat meat. There is no real point giving them vegetables to eat, steamed or otherwise.

No animal's stomach can take rapid changes in diet, so any dietary changes for any animal (including humans!) should be made gradually.

[Kimmiebear]

Most wild cats eat the same thing day in and day out too; mmm mice!
If you are worried about it you can try about 1/4 teaspoon of canned (unspiced pumpkin) with a meal, on a seperate dish. Usually we give this to constipated cats, but it won't do yours any harm.
You could try with some tinned food and some dry together.
Most diets from reputable brands are completely balanced so that they are all the cat needs.
If you do decide to switch then do so over 4 days at least. Introduce a small amount at a time over 4 days until you get to the amount you want. If your cat is healthy there is no need to switch. Just give him a small piece of unspiced chicken every now and then if you feel guilty!

[ProperBoPeep]

Best diet for dogs and cats is one that is SIMPLE and one that is CONSISTENT! If you find a diet that your pet a)likes b) doesn't have problems with - then stick with it.

They don't get bored with diet, as far as they are concerned as long as they have a full belly they probably don''t care how they get it.

Dogs and Cats are not little furry humans, so don't put human emotions or views on them! Your cat will be no better off having steamed vegetables, dry white wine or an after-eight mint - so keep it simple!

[gelda]

Couldn't aggree more Bo peep,

[mandimoo]

thanks proper, i think that was the assurance i was seeking! victoria was starting to make me feel guilty, but what you said, was what i thought was correct, just felt a need to check. thanks again.