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Blog - myths about cat food

True or False? We Examine 5 Popular Myths About Cat Food

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Looking for the best cat food for your fur babies? Often, news sources, cat websites, and even vets disagree about what your cat should be eating. It can be tough to separate fact from fiction.

But, after some research, we discovered 5 popular myths about cat food that we think you should know about.

1. True or False: The higher the price tag, the better quality the food.

If you want your kitty to be healthy and live a long life, you might be tempted to shell out the big bucks for Orijen cat food or Hill's Science Diet food. But the truth is that a higher price doesn't always mean a higher quality. Do your homework on different companies. Do they conduct research trials with real cats? Where do they source their ingredients? Do they spend a lot on advertising and very little on research? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make a smart choice for your cat's health.

2. True or False: Carbs in cat food are bad and should be avoided at all costs.

This is one of the most common myths about cat food. Although it may come as a surprise to many cat owners, this statement is false! Sherry Sanderson, DVM, an associate professor at the University of Georgia, says, "Just because cats are true carnivores does not mean that carbohydrates are bad for them." For example, she explains that grains have many essential nutrients that cats (and people!) need to stay healthy. She also warns against low-carb diets, because they tend to have a higher fat content than regular cat food. 

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3. True or False: Cats don't need a lot of drinking water.

According to Dr. Elizabeth Colleran, cats in the wild stayed hydrated by eating mice, which are made up of 60-70% water. Owner of the Chico Hospital for Cats, a cat-only practice, she says that cats who are fed a dry diet will need to drink plenty of water to compensate. Even if your cat is eating wet food, providing lots of drinking water will help your cat stay healthy. 

But what if your cat doesn't like drinking water? Check out our top 5 tips for hydration here: How to Keep Your Cat Hydrated.

4. True or False: If your cat's dish is too narrow and deep, he will have "whisker fatigue" and eat less food.

An article published in the New York Times in June 2017 cited "whisker fatigue" as a reason for cats' loss of appetite. It stated, "When cats have to stick their faces into deep bowls and their whiskers rub up against the sides, the experience can be stressful, prompting them to paw the food onto the floor, fight with other cats or grow apprehensive at mealtimes." To solve this problem, the author recommended purchasing a wider, more expensive food bowl. 

What do the vets say? Dr. Thomas Meyer, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, disagreed, saying, "While a cat’s whiskers are very sensitive, there is currently no evidence showing that whiskers rubbing against food bowls causes cats stress or discomfort." Colleran agreed but stated, "A change in appetite is a serious symptom and should be fully and carefully investigated." 

If you notice that your cat is eating less, take him to the vet for a thorough examination. It may be an indication of a more serious problem. 

5. True or False: For your cat's teeth to stay healthy, choose dry food instead of wet food.

According to Dr. Colleran, this is definitely a myth. "“What is good for cat teeth is hunting and killing mice. Short of that, the only good thing for teeth is good at-home dental care and regular veterinary checkups," she told Catster Magazine in their October 2017 issue.

We hope you enjoyed learning the facts behind these common myths about cat food. To make sure you never miss a post, follow us on Facebook to get our updates! 

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