Feeding & Nutrition

If your cat is fussy about water, it might be time to find a new water bowl. There are lots of different options out there, so with a little research, you’ll be able to find the ideal bowl for your pet. Cats are by nature quite tolerant to thirst. If their water isn’t quite right – for example, it’s too warm or they don’t like their bowl – they might well choose to go without drinking. Equally, many cats will ignore their water bowl and drink from puddles instead, often for reasons you can’t work out. That’s why choosing the right bowl for you cat is so important. You can read more about how much water your cat needs to drink here. If you are concerned that your cat isn't drinking enough, contact your vet for advice. Choosing the right cat water bowl Before you choose the perfect bowl for your cat’s water, think about what they might like. Your cat’s personality, as well their eating and drinking preferences, will all be considerations. If they have a tendency to knock things over, for example, a heavier drinking bowl is probably more sensible. On the other hand, if they dislike their whiskers touching things – as many cats do – a wider bowl will be more comfortable for them. Sometimes, you may have to try a couple of different cat water bowl before you find one that they love, but luckily, most are inexpensive. Considerations include: Depth Shallow dishes will need topping up more often than deeper bowls, but your cat may have a preference themselves. Material Cat bowls can be made of many different materials. They all have their pros and cons, which you can read about in more detail below. Standing or running? Most owners leave a normal bowl of water for their cat, but reluctant drinkers may be tempted by a specially-designed cat water fountain. You can read more about fountains below. Types of cat bowl Traditional cat water bowl Quite simply, this is a plain bowl designed for cats to drink from. It’s probably the type of water bowl you’re most used to seeing. They are very affordable, easy to get hold of, and don’t require any fuss. Many cats will happily drink from a bowl of standing water. However, as cats can also be fussy about their water source, there are many felines who may turn their nose up at the bowl of standing water altogether, especially if there’s a dripping tap nearby that they can drink from instead. To make their water appealing, you need to make sure you change it regularly – all cats prefer fresh, cool water – and make sure it doesn’t run dry. Bowl with water dispenser An alternative to the standard water bowl is one with a water dispenser that keeps the water topped up. These bowls are usually made of plastic, and some with an upright water bottle attached. As your cat drinks, the water bottle will slowly drain, keeping the water at the same level. This isn’t the same as providing running water, but it means you won’t have to top the water up so often. This is a good option if you are out of the house all day. Cat water fountain This type of water fountain is great for cats who are reluctant to drinking standing water. If your cat tends to drink from the tap or other places they shouldn’t, it might be because they prefer fresh, running water. A cat water fountain may be the solution. These are usually driven very small electric motors. Fill the bowl with water, and a small fountain in the middle will keep the water circulating. Your cat can then either drink from the bowl, or from the water as it falls. Many cat water fountains also include filters, which can help remove dust and hair, keeping it as fresh as possible. At the top end of the market, a cat water fountain may also cool the water – perfect for summer months.

Cats are known for being proud and particular pets, and that doesn’t stop when it comes to what they eat! Like us, each cat will have their own favourite food and flavours, so fussy eating cats might turn their nose up at something that doesn’t tantalise their taste buds. If you find that your feline is being especially fussy, or that your cat is not eating at all, there are certain things you can try to get them gobbling up their dinner. However, if your cat is off their food for more than a day this can lead to serious complications including hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver). Contact a vet for advice if the following tips don’t improve your cat’s appetite. Why is your fussy cat not eating? Cats can be very fussy eaters, and this can be exacerbated by some of the factors listed below. Anorexia can also be a symptom of illness or disease, so you should seek veterinary advice if your cat has not eaten for more than 24-48 hours.

Cats can be quite tricky when it comes to food with some happily eating anything and others turning their noses up at everything. Read our article on what cats should eat and what they need in their diet to ensure they’re healthy and happy. Some cats can be finicky eaters, sticking their nose up at foods that don’t satisfy their taste buds, whereas others will happily gobble down the same dish day after day. Each cat is unique in their preference and it’s important to understand what cats like to eat to ensure that they’re getting all the nutrients they need to thrive.

As a cat lover, you’ll want your furry friend to lead a long, healthy, happy and active life. One of the best ways to achieve this is by making sure your cat’s diet has the right balance of the five major nutrient groups: protein, fats & oils, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Cats are ‘obligate carnivores’, which means they need meat in their diet, so unlike dogs, they can never be vegetarian or vegan. Felines rely on protein as their main source of energy, and need higher levels of protein in their diet than dogs. Not only is meat a ready source of protein, it also provides three essential nutrients that cats can’t live without: taurine (for heart and vision), arachidonic acid (for skin and coat health) and Vitamin A (for coat and vision).

So you’ve welcomed a new bundle of fur to your family – congratulations! Now that you’ve settled the new arrival into your home, you’ll be wondering how you can help them grow up healthy and strong. They might be tiny now, but they’re going to grow – and quickly! Within six months, they’ll have reached 75% of their adult body mass, which is why feeding them a nutritionally-rich kitten food now is so important. To help them during this important time, the Purina Pet Care Team have some helpful tips to help you choose the best kitten food.

We know at least one other member of the animal kingdom that won’t say no to a banana feast. Monkeys do enjoy their bananas, but what do cats think of this sweet yellow fruit? Keep reading to find out if cats can eat bananas and whether owners should offer them as a treat to their feline companions.

It may surprise you, but there are a lot of cats out there that love the taste of bread! But, can cats eat bread or is it bad for them? Find out all you need to know in this guide. This may sound unusual, but a lot of cats actually love the taste of bread. All around the internet there are tales of bread bandits, of cats sneaking slices off countertops or racing their owners for the toaster when they hear it pop. It’s a phenomenon that’s baffled cat owners all over the globe and no-one really knows why they find bread so delicious either! If you’re got a bread aficionado on your hands, you’ll probably be asking ‘can cats eat bread?’ and more importantly, ‘is bread bad for cats?’ Find out the answers to your questions about cats and bread in this article!

The four-legged siblings in the household might share a lot of things, including their love for play, cuddles and sleep, but one of the things they don’t have in common is food. Find out if dog food is bad for cats and how to keep their paws out of each other’s meals. Whether your cat is always curious about what’s in the dog food bowl or it’s dinner o’clock and you’ve just realised the cat food pantry is empty, you’ve probably asked yourself can cats eat dog food? If you’ve got a cat and a dog living together under the same roof, here is what you need to know about letting your cat try the dog’s food.

Many of us sneak our cats a bite of whatever we're eating – but have you ever asked yourself, what human foods can cats eat? While it might seem harmless to share a snack, not all human foods are safe for your feline friend. Knowing what’s OK to share – and what’s not – is essential for keeping them healthy and happy. Cats, just like dogs, can be expert beggars at the dinner table, especially when there’s fish, meat, or dairy in sight. But even if they’re giving you those irresistible eyes, it’s important to remember that their digestive systems are different from ours. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide to help you understand what human foods are safe for cats – and which ones are best kept off their menu.

Eggs are nutritious, they taste great no matter how we prepare them, and they bind many of our favourite recipes together. It’s unbelievable how many things we can do with just a humble little egg, but is it a good idea to feed this tasty food to our cats, too? If you are one of the many owners about to give in to their cat’s pleading eyes and offer them a bite of egg for breakfast, but you’re still pondering the question ‘can cats actually eat eggs?’, here are all the answers you need to know about cats and eggs.

Juicy, sweet, full of nutrients and easy to eat, grapes may just be the perfect fruit snack. But unfortunately, not everything that’s good for us humans works just as well for our pets. You probably already know that grapes are dangerous for dogs – but should cat owners also worry if they catch their pet eyeing up the bowl of grapes on the kitchen countertop? Keep reading to find out if grapes are good or bad for cats.

Rice is one of the oldest cereal grains in the world and is a staple food for more than half the world’s human population. Whether we’re serving it with a hearty helping of curry or filling out a burrito, it’s a great base for our meals and, having no fat or sugar, it’s also relatively good for us. But is this the case for our feline friends? A lot of commercial pet foods will add in grains like rice, but is it actually good for our cats? Can cats eat rice by itself? Can cats eat white rice or brown? Read on to find out all you need to know.