IAMS IN
being-a-cat-person-hero
being-a-cat-person-hero mobile

adp_description_block219
The Many Perks of Cat Ownership

  • Share

 

myth sour puss image

The Myth of the Sour Puss

You’ve probably heard that cats are aloof, but that’s not always the case. They can be affectionate, playful and highly attached to their owners, much like a dog. It’s just that cats are at a disadvantage versus dogs because they don’t have the facial physiology that lets their canine counterparts “smile” all the time.

So, don’t be fooled — cats are not only happy, but also immensely talented at bringing joy to their humans. In the market for crazy antics one minute, soft cuddles the next? Cats are a low-risk, high-yield investment in complex personalities.

feeling good image

 

The Good Feeling of Doing Good

With any cat adoption, you are literally saving that animal’s life. Plus, you’re supporting the organization you adopt from, which in turn allows them to help more animals in need, so you’re basically a hero. And all these good feelings happen before you even bring your new kitty home!

cat companion image

 

Scratching that Itch for Cat Companionship

Who couldn’t use another friend? Especially one that’s a furry, adorable biscuit factory. Research shows that having a cat can reduce stress and increase confidence, and it’s hard to beat quality time with a cat for anxiety relief. Journalist Jane Pauley once said, “You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.”

pitter patter paws

 

The Pitter-Patter of Tiny Feet and Tinier Paws

Adopting a cat can be a great move for children, too. There’s no better way to nurture values such as responsibility and empathy than with a frolicky, purrmotored pal. A survey of parents found that children who had bonded with a feline friend enjoy a higher quality of life. (They wanted to survey the cats too, but there was a sunny spot on the carpet that needed to be napped in, so …)

Cats are amazing. They entertain us by defying gravity and contorting themselves into spine-twisting postures. An inquisitive meow or a nudge with their head can totally banish a bad mood. They are the perfect companion to all. If you’re thinking about adding a cute, flu'y, serotonin-boosting kitty cat, this is your sign: Do it!

 

  • Understanding Kitten Food Nutrition Labels
    Understanding Kitten Food Nutrition Labels
    adp_description_block380
    Understanding Kitten Food Nutrition Labels

    • Share

    Confused by the ingredient list on your kitten’s food? You’re not alone. Marketing pet foods that have “human-grade ingredients” is becoming commonplace. While appealing to many pet owners, it is important to be aware that the term “human grade” has no legal definition and is used primarily for marketing purposes.

     

    Foods, typically meats, are labeled either as “edible” or “inedible, not for human consumption.” Once a food leaves the human food chain, even if it is of outstanding quality, it has to be labeled “inedible, not for human consumption.” Therefore, meats used in pet food must be labeled as “inedible,” regardless of the source or quality of the meat. The only way to make a pet food with ingredients deemed “edible” is to never let the meat leave the human food chain and actually manufacture the pet food in a human food facility and transport it using human food trucks. Therefore, advertising a product as containing “human-grade ingredients” is untrue if it is not manufactured in a human food facility. However, just because a pet food isn’t marketed as being “human grade” does not mean that the ingredients are poor quality.

     

    Here are some tips to help understand ingredient labels:

     

    • The ingredient list is not the only method you should use to select a pet food, because it doesn’t provide pet owners with enough information about the quality of the ingredients or the nutritional adequacy of the overall diet.
    • Instead of concentrating on ingredients, pet owners and veterinarians should look at the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement and the quality control protocols of the manufacturer. For more information, see the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s brochure “Selecting the Best Food for your Pet,” available at www.wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit.
    • The ingredient list may be arranged to make foods as appealing as possible to consumers by the order of the ingredients (e.g., having lamb first on the ingredient list) or inclusion of seemingly desirable ingredients in the diet, but often in such small amounts that they have little or no nutritional benefits.
    • Having more ingredients does not make a diet more nutritious.

Close modal