Part Two:

Raising a
Healthy Cat

  

While the cat might not have earned the nickname “man’s best friend,” she has a long heritage as a companion to man — and woman, especially — that is clouded in mystery and mythology. From being worshiped in ancient Egypt, to being considered as a witch’s familiar in the superstitious “Old World,” to becoming the mouse hunter of the family farm, our feline companions have a long, profound history, one that is very different from the “lazy, fat cat” cliché of today.

Cats are naturally active hunters, expending a large amount of energy throughout the day. As carnivores, they cannot just seek out berries or plants for substance, they need meat and that fact remains true even for indoor, domesticated cats. A high-protein diet is essential for a cat to achieve optimal health. While they might not need to be mouse hunters in your home, they do need activity and exercise to ensure a long life and to help prevent obesity.

When you think of cats, you might not think of walking them or playing catch with them like you would if you were a dog owner, but it is just as important for cats to be kept active as it is for dogs. You want your cat to avoid becoming overweight while also ensuring they maintain healthy muscles and joints.

If you jumped straight from the introduction to this chapter because you are a total “cat person,” you missed many of the wonderful suggestions for dog activity that might also be good for cats. In part one, I analyzed “all things dog” from personality types to a history of domestication. This section will present a similar history of cats, helping you understand your feline family member and identify the best strategies for keeping her active and healthy. It includes both suggestions for cat diet and recommendations for cat play.