Feeding & Nutrition

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Although cat constipation is a fairly common problem, the causes and symptoms can be wildly different from one cat to the next. Discover what you need to know about this condition to help treat it quickly and prevent it from suddenly appearing in your cat’s life. If you suspect your cat is constipated, you’re undoubtedly eager to figure out what has caused it and how you can relieve your beloved cat. In this article, we look at the essential information you need, from early symptoms all the way to veterinary cat constipation treatment and ways you can prevent the discomfort to help your cat get back to their usual happy self.

As indoor cats don’t have the same opportunities to exercise as their outdoor counterparts, it can be tougher for them to keep trim. Even though your pet is living in a cosy, happy environment, being inside still limits the space they have to stretch their paws. This less active lifestyle can mean that some indoor cats can struggle to maintain their natural slender shape, and are more at risk of developing health problems such as obesity or diabetes. Fine-tuning a feeding routine and keeping your indoor cat moving are the two key factors in keeping your feline friend as healthy and happy as possible. Follow our tips on steps you can take to keep your cat in tip top shape. How to feed your indoor cat As cats are natural grazers, they are happy to nibble on dry food left out for them during the day (wet food will go stale too quickly to be left out). It can be easy to lose track of what your cat has eaten, especially when you’re leaving food out for them. To avoid overfeeding them, carefully measure each meal according to the serving guide on the food packaging.

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).

Most cat owners will be used to seeing their cat vomit from time to time without being overly concerned. Usually the occasional vomit is a result of a minor problem such as overeating or playing too vigorously immediately after dinner time. However, if your cat is vomiting more frequently, it can be a sign of a more serious condition which requires immediate veterinary attention. Chronic vomiting (lasting a number of days to weeks) can be due to gastrointestinal or systemic (whole body) disorders. What is cat vomiting? Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth. It should be differentiated from the more passive regurgitation in which expelled food is more gently brought up from the oesophagus with no stomach contractions. Vomiting cats usually show signs of nausea including drooling, lip-licking and excessive swallowing before they throw up. Potential causes of vomiting in cats If your cat is vomiting, it can be due to a wide range of causes and in chronic cases it is vital for your veterinary surgeon to find out the exact cause in order to determine the optimal treatment for your cat. Common causes of your cat being sick include: • Hairballs. • High speed of eating. • Sudden dietary changes or the introduction of new food without a gradual transition. • Ingestion of something inappropriate such as spoiled food, toxins or foreign bodies. • Intolerance, allergies or sensitivities to certain food ingredients. • Gastrointestinal infections, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. • Inflammatory bowel disease (inflammation of the stomach and/or intestinal tract). • Tumours of the stomach, bowel or other organs. • Diseases affecting other parts of the body such as kidneys, liver, pancreas or thyroid gland. Treatment when your cat is being sick Following a single episode of vomiting, check your cat for any other signs of illness such as listlessness, fever or diarrhoea. If possible, locate and remove any item which may have caused your cat to vomit in the first place, and also remove your cat’s food bowl for a few hours.

If your cat always seems to be hungry, here are a few reasons why that may be the case: from simple ones such as boredom to more serious conditions needing the vet’s attention. Is your cat acting hungry all the time? We tend to think of cats more as fussy eaters than food obsessed, but if you have a feline that doesn’t stop pestering you for food, it’s natural to wonder whether this is normal or if you should head to the vet. If you’re asking yourself ‘why is my cat always hungry’, here are a few possible reasons.