We all want our feline friends to get the very best meals possible. But handling cat food, wet or dry, can be tricky; especially for first time owners. Below are some tips and tricks for feeding your kitty cat:

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Ultimate Cat Care Checklist Before you Go

Dry Food:

• Purchasing large quantities of cat food is not recommended due to increased risk of food becoming stale and contaminated
  • Instead, purchase one month’s supply per cat
• Do NOT pour a new bag of cat food on top of old cat food
  • This will accelerate the tainting of new food
• Keep opened bags of dry food inside easy to clean, sealed containers made of plastic or metal
  • Pouring the dry food directly into the container and discarding the original bag is NOT advised because:
    • Residual fats and oils from the previous load of food is coating the insides of the container, contaminating the fresh food
    • Since fats and oils have an expiration date, the food can become stale or rancid, and make cats  sick
• Food should be stored inside the home, in a pantry or cool room that is not above 75 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Food should be kept out of direct sunlight and away from humidity
  • Avoid storing dry food in a location with extreme temperature fluctuations

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Canned Food:

• Highly recommended that you use airtight lids on opened cans
• Always store opened cans immediately in the refrigerator
  • The average can of food stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days
• If the food does not smell fresh, discard it and open a fresh can

Hygiene:

• Before giving food to pets, always wash your hands first with warm water and soap
  • Re-wash hands after feeding pets
• Pay attention to where you place food bowls on the floor
  • If cleaning products used on the floor contains bleach, the cats may reject the food bowl and walk away due to the smell being overwhelming
  • Do not place food bowls on the floor immediately after cleaning, and consider placing them on a mat instead
• Don’t let the food sit in the bowl for too long–especially wet food
  • Canned food should never be left out for more than three hours
• Thoroughly clean and dry the bowl and any utensils used
  • This reduces the risk of bacterial contamination
• If the cat uses food puzzles, make sure the old kibble has been completely removed and the puzzle has been thoroughly cleaned and dried before inserting fresh kibble

Now You Know!

Armed with the knowledge of this article, you can rest assured your kitty is enjoying a safe mealtime. If you have an aversion to touching the wet food, you can use disposable plates instead of a reusable bowl. Whether you’re feeding your cat kibble or canned food, as long as you’re cleaning up after meals, you should be good to go.

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Ultimate Cat Care Checklist Before you Go