Is Your Cat A Beast Of Prey?

Have you ever watched a cat eat? You will notice that - even they they are domesticated animals who are fed prepackaged meals in nice little food bowls - they still eat in a “beast of prey” manner. They will take a piece of meat that you feed it and shake it around, pull at it, toss it up in the air, swallow it without chewing, etc. They may even regurgitate the meal and hide it!

Why would a domesticated cat eat like this? The answer is simple. They are genetically programmed (like any animal is) to hunt for their food and behave in a predatory manner. Even small young kittens will have this response. In a litter, a kitten will defend its food (prey) by making hissing sounds or even using the spitting defense against its littermates. However, if food is served to a cat or a group of cats that is on the soft mushy side, or in bits of pieces, then the food does not provoke the action of prey, and the cats will eat out of the same bowl while getting along just fine.

What Food Does Your House-Cat Prefer?

Whether we like it or not, real live mice rank the highest on any cat's food preference. Even if you have cats that have been raised by you and inside all of their lives, as soon as they get outside they will spend most of their time chasing little critters. They immediately go to action on what their genes are telling them to do – which is seek out prey.

A cat's hunting instinct is strong, so strong that a cat will not only chase and kill mice, but they will end up preying on moles, shrews, and even squirrels. Most people who own cats never get to see them in action when they are outside hunting and playing. They never see what the cat is actually eating and where that prey came from. This can be endanger your cat's health.

Every cat owner who does let their pet roam free outside needs to be aware that mice, birds, rats, and other small animals may carry diseases and other harmful bacteria. Therefore, it is not smart to condone your cat's outside food-finding activities. Feed your cat before letting him outside. This may help curb his need to eat wild animals.

If you are set on feeding your cat raw meats and such, then consider shopping at the local butcher shop. Unlike the critters in the wild, fresh meat from the butcher will not make your cat sick and is completely safe to eat. And you will not have to worry about finding live, freshly killed prey for your cat, thank goodness!