Caring for Cats
The semi-domesticated obligate carnivores sharing our homes.
We’re Cat People
We love all things cat at The Happy Beast. We feel very strongly that cats should be given the specialized treatment and attention that they deserve. Unlike dogs, who were developed to fulfill certain duties like hunting, guarding, or herding through the process of selective breeding, it’s thought that cat’s domesticated themselves through natural selection. That process of Natural Selection has allowed them to learn to tolerate humans in order to exploit food sources found near human settlements (rodents and meat scraps). While there are approximately 400 breeds of dogs that are continuously modified and selected for specific traits, 97% of cats are random bred house cats that select their own mate free from human interference. This has resulted in today’s modern cats sharing almost the identical physiology of the African Wildcats from which they descended.
The Zero Kibble Commitment
We only provide biologically appropriate food and treats, which means we do not sell any kibble for cats! All kibble, regardless if it is grain free or grain based is equally inappropriate for cats because of the high amount of carbohydrates. As we’ve pointed out numerous times in our Cat Health blogs we feel very strongly that cats need a diet high in moisture, rich in protein, and free from carbohydrates.
Helping Indoor Cats Stay Wild
Cats are meant for hunting and exploring.
For indoor cats, it is especially important to enrich their environment. Enrichment can be anything from toys that give them the opportunity to chase and jump (Go Cat Da Bird) to chews to satisfy their natural instinct to rip through fur, flesh, tendon, and bone. We often think of chewing as a dog activity, but it is equally important for your cat to chew on such things as chicken necks and rabbit ears.
We also encourage those that can, to invest in a catio or harness training. Catios and harness training are a wonderful way to allow your cat to safely enjoy the benefits of the outdoors and engage in the sights, sounds, and smells of their environment.