Choosing Food And Water Bowls For Your Cat

Who would ever think so much thought and research went into picking bowls for your cat. Below are some tips on making sure you get the “purrfect” bowl for your cat.

Food Bowls: Depth of the food bowl. Cats do not like deep food bowls because their whiskers rub the sides of the bowl. This can cause a sensation they do not like. If a cat has to stick their entire head into a bowl, they can’t see the environment around them. This can cause instinctive unease in your cat. Shallower, wide bowls are the best choice for food. Placement of the food bowl. Avoid placing the bowl near litter boxes or heavily trafficked areas. Cats prefer to eat alone. Please consider this if you have multiple pets and like to feed them all together. Feed your cat in a quiet place that has few distractions so they may dine without distraction. Portion Size. Most house cats are not binge eaters. They prefer smaller frequent meals to one or two large meals. If fed 3-4 meals a day they tend to be less picky and less inclined to throw up than cats fed larger meals. Owners had persisted that cats are finicky eaters for generations. Part of the reason for this is that owners often attribute dog’s eating behaviors to a cat. Dogs are binge feeders. They can eat tremendous amounts and are content to sleep afterwards. Not so with house cats. They are much happier to eat small amounts multiple times a day.

Keep the food bowl clean. Cats have extremely sensitive noses. Stale food particles or oily residue are not usually appetite stimulants for cats. Avoid harsh chemicals and be sure to wash the bowl after soaping. Bowls should be washed daily. Ceramic bowls are preferred over plastic. Plastic bowls over time will develop scratches that can harbor bacteria and dirt

Water Bowls: Bigger is not always better. Many of the same tips about food bowls remain constant for the water bowl. Water bowls should be cleaned daily. The soap should be washed off to prevent any residue from tainting the taste of the water. Consistent water levels. Many cats like to paw at the water. Cats are creatures of habit and uneven water levels can stimulate cats to paw and splash their water out of the bowl. Some cats like running water. Many cats find running water stimulating. If your cat like to drink water out of the facet a pet fountain may be what your cat needs. Some cats will like to play in their fountain.

Remember that not all bowls are the same and understanding cat behavior can help you select the “Purrfect” bowls for your cat.

If you have questions about pet care contact Dr. Norette L. Underwood of the Trumann Animal Clinic at catdoc56@gmail.com.