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Who better to offer tips for feeding your cat than a cat? Actually, I suppose what I'm really about to offer you are tips for feeding me. But, since all cats share certain characteristics when it comes to chow time, I suspect you'll be able to glean some insight from what I'm about to tell you. While obvious to cats, humans often lose sight of the two most important details when it comes to feeding them: The bowl and the food.

Your Cat's Food Bowl
With all due respect to "The Graduate", I have two words for you when it comes to your cat's food bowl: "No plastics." Plastic bowls may be less expensive than those made of ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel or stoneware, but they are more likely to pose certain health risks to those of us who eat out of them. Some cats who eat out of plastic bowls have been known to experience an allergy to plastic known as feline acne. While not a serious condition unless the lesions become infected, feline acne can certainly be embarrassing if it develops before a big date, the prom or an important photo shoot.

It's also difficult to keep plastic bowls germ free. Some types of plastic can't be thoroughly sterilized because they're not dishwasher safe. Plastic bowls are also susceptible to cuts and scratches that can become a veritable playground for bacteria. Ceramic, porcelain, stainless steel and stoneware bowls are much better choices as long as they're made and decorated with lead-free slips and glazes.

As for the size and shape of your cat's food bowl, he'll most likely prefer one that is wide enough to accommodate his whiskers, yet shallow enough to keep most of his head above the rim. Provided your cat is asleep, it's not difficult to measure the width of his whiskers and the circumference of his head. If your cat is an insomniac or if he won't let you near him with a tape measure, assume that a bowl at least 5 inches wide by 1 to 1 inches deep will suffice if you suspect he has an average sized head.

Your Cat's Food
I've written several articles about cats and food, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate the basics. Cats are obligate carnivores. That means we need to eat meat in order to metabolize nutrients properly. Oh, sure. We'll probably survive if we eat vegetables and grains along with the occasional piece of tuna, just like you'll probably survive if you eat fish sticks and pizza along with the occasional broccoli floret. But, pretty soon, the effects of bad nutrition catch up with all of us.

If your cat is a finicky eater, or if he's a little plump or suffers from allergies or diabetes, try switching him to a diet higher in protein.* WellnessZ6EFP EW56Bhttp://www.wellnesspetfoo d.com/cat_wellness_can_core_ch icken.htmlWH6PD CORE and Stella & Chewy's are just two brands of cat food that focus on the unique nutritional needs of your little carnivore.

I hope these tips for feeding your cat help both of you. Remember. Keep it simple. Focus on the bowl and the food and the two of you will be happy foodies for a long time.

*Make sure you and your cat make an appointment with his vet to discuss any significant changes to his (your cat's, not the vet's) diet.

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