Content
- What does it mean for the cat to want carrots
- Benefits of carrots for the cat's body
- How to introduce a new food to the cat's diet
Cats are full of personality and sometimes can have some unusual food tastes. We are so used to offering them fish or meat flavored pâtés that when we see our kitten interested in a vegetable, such as carrots, we may wonder.
There's nothing wrong with offering something different for our pussies to eat. However, it is natural for us to be a little afraid, since not everything we eat is good for the bodies of our companions. Before offering something new to your cat, always check whether or not he can eat it and how much you should offer, so that the excess does not harm him.
in case you want to know what does it mean if the cat wants carrots and how this food can benefit your little friend, this article by PeritoAnimal will help you answer some of these questions.
What does it mean for the cat to want carrots
Perhaps you're wondering why your cat looks so excited when he sniffs a carrot, as if he's found full happiness when he approaches this orange tuber. The eye-catching color, as well as the odor and texture can seem very interesting to your pussy, sparking curiosity.
There is no clear meaning for your partner want carrot, But do not worry! It is normal for cats, as well as other animals, to be interested in different foods and feel tempted to try them. While your kitten seems to have a passion for carrots, others may simply prefer fresh, green vegetables, there's nothing wrong with that.
Now, if you are afraid that this vegetable will harm your animal, know that you have nothing to worry about. Carrots do not have any toxins or even substances that are harmful to your pussy's body, quite the opposite. In addition to having a peculiar flavor due to the sugars that mix with bitter compounds and free amino acids, it is filled with carotenoids, fiber, vitamin C, K, magnesium, potassium, and many other nutrients that can benefit your cat's health.
As the texture can be quite hard for your pet to bite, it is recommended cook it for a few minutes, making it easier to chew and digest. In addition, the heat releases nutrients from this tuber, making the body absorb them more easily.
Benefits of carrots for the cat's body
THE vitamin A it is a very important component for the maintenance of the feline organism and can be found in the carrots. It is linked to vision, bone growth, reproduction, tooth development and maintenance of epithelial tissue, protecting the animal from various infections.
The beta-carotene present in this vegetable is transformed by the body into vitamin A and stored. As kittens' bodies cannot convert much of this substance into vitamins, it directs what it produces to cell growth and reproduction, making them carrots a great food for puppies.
There are many other benefits your partner's body can gain from ingesting this vegetable. Check out:
- Constipation relief
The carrot works as a great laxative for animals and our domestic kittens are not left out of this group. A teaspoon of this vegetable grated, even raw, can help the animal to take care of its needs, helping to reduce bad digestion. Mix the carrots into your pussy's food bowl and wait for her to eat. This combination can be used for a few days, until some improvement is achieved.
- healthier hair
A 100 g serving of carrot contains approximately 4.5 mg of beta-carotene. This substance is the most active carotenoid, transforming itself into vitamin A when absorbed by the body. In our kitten's body, Vitamin A helps keep hair healthy and silky, also leaving nails and skin healthier.
- Vision Problem Prevention
We know that cats have very sharp eyesight and are able to see well even in dark surroundings. However, what most of us don't know is that adding carrots to a pussy's feeding routine can help keep this supervision in day. Even though the body of cats has the ability to transform beta-carotene into vitamin A, it is in a lower amount than what humans convert and, therefore, the animal's body directs it for other purposes, not being useful to treat diseases in the cats. eyes. Although, the absence of foods containing beta-carotene in the diet is linked to the emergence of visual problems in these animals, therefore, eating carrots can help with prevention.
- fur balls
fibrous food are great for stimulate digestive functioning cats, helping with common problems such as hairball formation. Offering a little boiled or grated carrots to your cat every now and then can prevent this problem by eliminating hairs in the stool, preventing it from accumulating in the intestines.
- Longer life and health
A diet rich in carotenoids helps maintain a healthier immune system, improving quality of life and longevity. This is true for us humans as well as for animals such as cats and dogs. Beta-carotene is a component of carrots, which, as we have already explained, is provitamin A. This substance is also a fat-soluble antioxidant, helping to control a molecule capable of causing cell damage, keeping our kitten's body in shape.
- Healthy diet
Carrots are also known for their flashy smell and the sweet taste they give to the palate. For this same reason, they should be served sparingly to animals. However, the glucose contained in this tuber is usually metabolized and transformed into energy more quickly, making it a healthy option to provide nutrients for cats that are obese, for example. they are also indicated in cases of overweight and diabetes because it is a fibrous vegetable, which helps control your blood sugar, as well as offering fewer calories.
How to introduce a new food to the cat's diet
Adding a new food to an animal's routine is always a challenge. In the case of vegetables, it is normal that we have doubts about the best way to prepare them so that they maintain their nutritional value and, at the same time, remain attractive, making it easy for the animal to chew and digest.
There is also the fear that the animal will not be interested in the new food or will end up not liking the taste. This is a risk that we can't always avoid, after all, each pet has its own preferences, but there are some tips that can help pique your companion's interest.
In the case of carrots, it is recommended that you wash first and then cook to make them softer. Cats don't have as tough teeth as rabbits, and raw, broken tuber may not be a good idea.
You can also choose to grate it and mix it in the feed of your pussy. However, don't forget that vegetables go bad quickly and they can't stay in the pot all day, at the animal's disposal! The ideal is set a fixed time to offer this type of food so the cat will know when to eat and you can remove it from the pot if it has been too long.
offer to cooked carrot in small pieces, like snacks, is also a way to stimulate the feline with positive reinforcements, assimilating food as a treat.If your cat doesn't want to eat the vegetables or the feed, our article titled Why my cat doesn't want to eat can be helpful.
See also our article on forbidden fruits and vegetables for cats.
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