Cats were tested in a two-bowl test where they could select the food they preferred in two side-by-side bowls so that the same food at different temperatures could be compared. As a group, cats preferred the room temperature food to the cold food, but preferred the warmed food most of all.
It's perfectly safe to feed your cat wet food right from the fridge, and count your blessings that your kitty doesn't seem to be picky when it comes to temperature or eating leftovers in general.
So, it can be a good idea to warm your cat's food to room temperature before serving it. This puts the food's consistency back to normal and unlocks its aroma, making it significantly more appetizing to your cat and can simulate the prey instinct in a healthy way.
Cats like routine with their feeding times, they tend to like certain bowls or dishes more than others, they even like to pick a quiet place to eat – but let's not forget they also like their food warm. In fact, The Journal of Veterinary Behavior even did a study that shows that “Aging cats prefer warm food”.
Temperature matters
As a hunter, cats prefer food that is close to their own body temperature (about 101° F/ 38° C). If you are taking canned cat food from the refrigerator, it should be warmed in the microwave (and stirred well) or warmed by the addition of some hot water.
The other area that may be important links to cats natural and wild predatory instincts. They may have evolved to prefer food at body temperature, which could be an indicator to them that the prey is fresh or has been recently caught.” For more tips on cat nutrition and healthy weight, visit our cat care resources.
A study conducted by the University of Liverpool found that cats eat 15% more in winter than they do in summer, likely due to the extra energy they need to keep warm when the temperature drops. In summer, they don't need as much energy to keep warm, so can eat a little less.
Food temperature
To start, feed wet food at room temperature; cats don't like food if it is too hot or too cold. Once wet food is put down, it can be difficult to stop it drying out throughout the day, especially when the weather is warm.
According to Primal Pet Food, a pioneer in making commercial raw pet food: “Never microwave any pet food. Microwaves cause the fat molecules to radically change, making fats less digestible, and ultimately, they can become harmful to your pet's long-term health.
Even if your cat prefers to eat their food in a few sittings, don't be tempted to leave wet food out all day, as this increases the risk of disease-causing bacteria developing. After a maximum of four hours, throw out the old food and wash the bowl properly with soap and water before refilling with fresh food.
Many cats, like humans, prefer their beverages chilled. You'll promote more water consumption if you serve it cold. It's hard to keep refilling your kitty's water bowl, but luckily you can buy products that keep it chilled for hours.
Ultimately, your cat will decide whether she prefers dry or wet cat food. Purina nutritionists recommend feeding a combination of wet and dry food, though. This helps ensure she gets plenty of moisture in her diet, plus the dental benefits of dry food, all while adding variety to keep her interested.
- Stay away from cold food: Cats usually get an upset stomach when they eat something super cold. Prevent stomach aches by letting the food warm till room temperature before you feed the cat. - Stop your cat from eating too fast: Another reason for frequent vomits could be because the cat eats food too quickly.
Your pet's bowl should be emptied of moist or canned food not eaten by your cat or dog within 4 hours if the ambient temperature is above 50°F. Opened cans should be stored in the fridge, at temperatures between 40-45°F, for a maximum of 5-7 days. Any cat or dog food remaining after that time should be thrown out.
Skip meats high in sodium, such as cold cuts or ham, as too much salt can be toxic to cats. Sharing a slice or wedge with your kitty is very Gouda of you (see what we did there?) as it's high in calcium and protein.
Many cats will refuse to eat food that is still cold from the refrigerator. This is partly because when food is cold, it doesn't smell as strongly. Gently warming your cat's food will release the aroma, which is often enough to entice your cat to eat.
A Summary. Cats prefer wet food that is close to their body temperature between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat the refrigerated cat food in the microwave for 4 to 5 seconds or add a few drops of hot water to the food and stir it.
Cats can and should eat wet food every day because it agrees with the feline digestive system better than dry or semi-moist food. Wild cats hunt and eat bugs, rodents, and small birds.
Do Cats Even Like Milk? Many cats actually like milk, according to The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). If offered, cats often like to drink milk because it's fresh and cold, and some may enjoy the taste. Despite this, it's strongly recommended cats avoid ingesting milk.
You might think it's a good idea to keep your cat's food in the fridge during the summer because it will keep it fresh and your cat will have a nice cool treat. True, it will keep it fresh, but most cats prefer to eat food at room temperature. So, your good intentions might have the wrong effect.
In general, all cats will begin to feel cold when the temperature goes under 7-8 degrees °C. Although this species prefers warmth, it can do well with an indoor temperature of at least 10-15 degrees. So make sure that you set your thermostat accordingly, even when you're out of the house.
As the temperatures plummet over the autumn and winter months, your cat will use more energy to maintain its body temperature and will eat more food as fuel for the extra energy it needs.
A meowing cat in the kitchen is not necessary an automatic sign of a hungry pet. A cat that is truly hungry may have a certain type of insistent meow, or may hang around pawing at its food bowl or where its food may be stored. When food is offered, a hungry cat will eat quickly.
Studies have now proven that cats do eat more in Winter to help regulate their temperature and help with insulation. With extreme weather impacting the metabolism, which also happens in other animals and humans, they can eat up to 15% more during this time.
Many cats fussy eaters and surprisingly picky about their diet. With only 470 taste buds compared to a human's 9,000 a cats' sense of taste in food is very selective. * So you may find your cat will turn their nose up at food that doesn't tantalise their taste buds or lacks nutrition.