When it comes to getting our cats to eat their food, there are many things to consider. Texture, smell, location, type of dish – all can impact way our cats enjoy their meals. And here’s a big one – the temperature of cat food.
Have you ever thought about why food temperature might be important for your cat at mealtime? Most wet foods are simply served at room temperature, but what about refrigerating any unused portion? What about feeding refrigerated fresh or raw food?
Warming Up Your Cat’s Food
It may come as no surprise, but most cats prefer their food at (what we call) ‘mouse temperature’. This temperature preference – between 100-102F) makes sense when you think about the fact that cats are obligate carnivores. Warmer than room temp (unless you live on the equator), this temperature mimics the body temp of freshly caught prey.
But there are more benefits than just proving our cats with a simple preference.
Gently warming food to mouse temperature releases aroma and improves flavor. Scent is such an important part of eating for cats. Sometimes just warming food is the trick needed to help finicky kitties eat. Also, feeding from a wide bowl or platter can be helpful as the aromas aren’t trapped in a small bowl.
For cats with sensitive tummies, cold food may also cause digestive upset as it can be harder to digest. And then there’s the issue of sensitive teeth. More than 70% of cats will suffer from dental disease by the time they’re just 3 years old. More than 90% by the time they’re 7. If you’ve ever had cold food hit at hot spot in your mouth, you know it’s a very special kind of pain. If you cat has sensitive teeth or gums, cold food could cause food aversion.
So how do we safely warm up our cat’s food? If you’re thinking of popping in the microwave, please think again. Not only can microwaving cause dangerous hot spots, it can deplete nutrients and change fat molecules. Instead, gently warm you cat’s food in warm water until it reached the desire mouse temperature.
Recent Comments