Neutering your cat offers many benefits. But how can you avoid weight gain? Neutering Your Cat: A Responsible Choice It is often recommended to neuter or spay cats, both male and female, at the end of their growth period. First, to limit and prevent stray litters, thereby avoiding abandonments and the overcrowding of shelters. Undesirable behaviors are also observed, such as male cats marking their territory or female cats crying during heat. Finally, it's important to remember that neutering or spaying your cat helps prevent fights and reduces the risk of running away. Many of us want to neuter or spay our cats, but we often fear the inevitable weight gain that follows! Why do cats gain weight after being neutered or spayed? Neutering your cat comes with a decrease in its energy needs. This means that our cats should consume fewer calories – on average 20% to 30% less each day. Additionally, after castration, our cats lose their natural ability to regulate their caloric needs, which makes them more likely to consume more than they need, leading to rapid weight gain. So, our cats have reduced caloric needs and a loss of self-regulation ability. It is up to us to properly control and regulate their diet to avoid weight gain. How to prevent or limit weight gain after neutering your cat? First and foremost, neutering your cat is a stressful event, both for you and for your cat. We do not recommend changing or reducing your cat’s diet immediately after the surgery. You can give it a few days of rest, allowing it to return to its home and routine. Understanding: When you reduce your cat’s caloric intake, remember that it's not just about reducing the amount of food, but rather reducing the caloric density. Example with wet food: If your cat eats 200g of wet food per day, don’t just reduce the amount to 160g. It won’t understand this sudden "rationing" and may become frustrated. Instead, choose a new wet food, either from the same brand or a different one, formulated for neutered cats and with lower calories. Check out our grain-free wet foods for cats, available in chicken, beef, or fish, specially designed to meet the dietary needs of neutered cats. Example with dry food: If your cat eats 50g of dry food per day, don’t just reduce the amount to 40g. Instead, choose dry food that is specifically designed for neutered cats, with fewer calories, or replace part of its dry food with wet food. Wet food is on average 4 times less caloric than dry food, and will provide volume, water, and high-quality protein to your cat, reducing frustration and increasing satiety. In summary, our tips: Choose low-calorie food: Some foods, whether dry or wet, are more suitable for neutered cats and neutered kittens. This is because some types of food are less caloric than others, at the same weight (100g for example). If their calorie content is reduced, these foods continue to meet the essential nutritional needs of cats in sufficient quantities. Portion their food: If your cat had free access to dry food before neutering, it's not advisable to continue this. Since your cat can no longer regulate itself, it’s better to calculate the daily food intake (dry food and/or wet food) and divide it into several small meals, at least four. Add volume without the calories: It’s possible that your cat will seem frustrated or hungry if you suddenly reduce its caloric intake. This is normal! If its energy needs decrease in less than 24 hours, it won’t be used to this change. You can either transition slowly to a lower-calorie food or add boiled vegetables to its dry food or wet food. Try adding boiled zucchini, which is very low-calorie and often liked by cats. It will provide volume without the extra calories. Are you a feline nutrition expert? Test your knowledge with our quiz!

  With their angelic looks, you'd think they were perfect little saints. Yet, our little loves are sometimes capable of the worst... We've tried to gather the most hilarious mischiefs of our furry companions. And the result is hilarious! Feel free to share photos of your cats in action with us, we'll be happy to repost them. #1 The Sneaky Attack A showdown worthy of the greatest mafia films! Source: Facebook Gatos en Acción   #2 Cat 1 - Plant 0 Another daring cat, blaming the plant for attacking it. Source: Facebook Gatos en Acción   #3 RIP Toilet Paper Roll No wonder there are toilet paper shortages at the store after this. Source: Facebook Gatos en Acción   #4 Grandma’s Vase in a Thousand Pieces You definitely don’t agree on the decor. Source: Facebook Gatos en Acción   #5 Bathroom, Halloween Version A real crime scene, at least they had fun. Source: Facebook Gatos en Acción #6 Goodbye Blinds No one will stop them from watching the neighborhood after this. Source: Facebook Gatos en Acción #7 The Pastry Chef Assistant "I was just checking if the dough was ready." Source: Reddit #8 A Little Snack It's because we showed them photos of the Ziggy cat pâtés! Source: Reddit #9 The Lamp KO Broken into a thousand pieces and not very discreet. Source: Reddit #10 Mischief is Always Better in Pairs We salute this great collective effort! Source: Reddit #11 Miaoups, I did it again! Who could say no to a plate of spaghetti bolognese? #12 Would You Like a Piece? Clearly, this cat doesn't want to share. #13 It Wasn't Me 7 years of bad luck, on 9 lives, that's acceptable. #14 And Bon Appétit! Brushing their teeth might be crunchy... #15 Watch Out for Indigestion This cat doesn't care about calories! #16 The "Little" Mischief Since they are just too cute, we easily forgive them. #17 No Doubt About It! We already know the culprit... Source: imgur #18 The Accomplice We wonder who trained whom... #19 The Threat Pâté or I'll shoot! Source: imgur #20 Proud of Their Mischief The parents will just have to buy another one... Source: Reddit  

Learn all about carbohydrates in your cat's diet. Discover the risks of excess and the truth about "grain-free" diets.

With the exception of foods that are highly toxic to our cats (chocolate, coffee, onion...), most native foods (those that have not been processed) consumed by humans are consumable, at least in small quantities, by our cats. However, they are not always well tolerated! Some foods will only be well tolerated in small amounts, and this tolerance varies from cat to cat: this is the case, for example, with cooked starch or sugar. Toxic Foods for My Cat These are foods that should never, under any circumstances, be given to our cats. Some sauces containing garlic and onion, or any food made from chocolate or caffeine should be avoided. You should also be careful of toxic plants for cats, which account for up to 20% of poisoning cases in cats. Coffee Caffeine is a real poison for our cats. It can cause an accelerated heart rate, breathing difficulties, tremors... Tea Tea also contains caffeine, which can cause serious poisoning. Grapes In any form, grapes are dangerous for our furry friends. They can cause acute kidney failure within 2-3 days of ingestion. Chocolate Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulating alkaloid that is not detoxified by the cat's liver. It can cause excessive drooling, tachycardia (too rapid heart rate), seizures, coma, and even death. Garlic It contains a toxin that affects red blood cells and its ingestion can lead to hemolytic anemia with consequences such as jaundice. Onion Onion contains the same toxic compound as garlic. Alcohol Alcohol is extremely dangerous for our cats. It can cause liver and brain damage, and even death. Chestnuts and Horse Chestnuts They are harmful to the liver of our little companions and can even cause some neurological disorders. Avocado Avocados contain persin, a fungicidal toxin that is harmless to humans but dangerous and sometimes deadly to our little companions. Bones and Fish Bones Sharp bones and fish bones can get stuck in the digestive tract, particularly in the larynx, pharynx, or esophagus... and block the passage of food. Raw Potatoes for Cats They contain solanine, which is toxic to both humans and cats. Ingesting raw potatoes can cause digestive and neurological issues. Cherries Generally, fruits containing cyanogenic glycosides are not suitable for cats. Foods to Avoid for My Cat These are not toxic to our cats, as long as they are given in small quantities. However, they can cause digestive problems or severe health issues if given in large quantities and/or over time. "Moderation is key", this saying applies to our furry friends as well! Some vegetables and legumes are difficult for our cats to digest, which is why we recommend giving them raw or cooked zucchini, which are well tolerated, as a supplement to a healthy and balanced diet. To prevent them from gaining weight and the health problems that come with it, avoid giving them table scraps and instead opt for cat food cans specifically formulated for them to meet their nutritional needs. Raw Egg The raw egg white contains an enzyme that reduces the absorption capacity of vitamin B8. Cheese It is not toxic to your cat, but when consumed in large quantities, it can cause inflammation of the pancreas. Butter Our cats enjoy a small piece of butter from time to time. However, as butter is a very rich food, it should not be given in large quantities. Milk Lactose tolerance can vary from cat to cat. If your cat tolerates milk well, they can have a small amount occasionally. Nuts It is mainly the mycotoxins present in the pulp or husk of the nut that are highly toxic. But don’t worry, our cats are not attracted to the walnut husk. Spinach Spinach is rich in oxalic acids, which can cause urinary problems. Citrus Fruits Oranges, lemons, mandarins... The citric acid in the fruit can irritate the cat's digestive system. Swiss Chard Swiss chard is high in nitrates and oxalic acid. It can cause urinary issues. Cakes And anything that is sweet in general! Turnip Turnips are not recommended for our cats as they can cause digestive problems like vomiting or diarrhea. Canned Tuna Our cats love it! However, canned tuna has a very high salt content. Therefore, it should not be given too often.   Leeks From the same family as garlic and onions, leeks are toxic. They are less dangerous than onions, but large quantities must be ingested to cause poisoning. Also, they are very fibrous and difficult for cats to digest. Lentils Lentils are hard to digest due to their high phytic acid content. Eggplant Eggplant contains atropine, which can cause heart rhythm disturbances in your little companion. Cabbage Cabbage is difficult for our little companions to digest. It can cause gas and diarrhea if given in large amounts. Cold Cuts Like cheese, cold cuts are too fatty. Given in large quantities, they can cause inflammation of the pancreas. Sorrel Like spinach and Swiss chard, sorrel is rich in oxalic acid and can cause urinary problems. My cat has been poisoned, how should I react? You should urgently call your veterinarian, as they are the only ones who can guide you on what to do. Try to provide as much information as possible, including the food ingested and the quantity. There are two veterinary poison centers in France, they are available 24/7 and offer free advice. And how to treat my cat? Visit our blog for 5 healthy treats for my cat. You can also treat your cat with our delicious cat kibble, which are both tasty and healthy.

We are totally crazy about our cats. At the same time, how can we resist such massive seduction weapons: silky fur, cute little faces, and purring all around. We hardly imagine that tomorrow, they will rule the world (after their nap). Here are 10 proofs that our cats have a plan to dominate the rest of the planet: #1 They have someone else clean their business (you, in this case) This is already proof number 1 that our cats have started to carry out their plan of domination. While you clean their litter box, they enjoy the show. And they score extra points if it’s during a meal. #2 They are true ninjas We no longer praise the agility of our beloved little companions. What you need to know is that it took them long hours of training to achieve such feats. The goal of this hard work? To be able to kick your butt on the big day. #3 They have already tried to kill you in your sleep But you have no idea. However, if you wake up with their cute paw on your face, it’s not for nothing. #4 They organize secret meetings when you’re not around All the neighborhood cats are invited. They discuss catnip and pâté. Our tomcats are tough guys, don’t forget that. #5 And they spend their time judging us Especially your poor hunting skills. They surely consider you not very skilled as a cat. #6 From mouse hunter to king of the couch Let’s put some context back into the story. Our cats originally hunted rodents and thus protected food supplies. And to thank them, we gave them leftovers from time to time. Now, they still control the food supply (your fridge) but from the couch. #7 They blame the dog instead of themselves Your dog has a good scapegoat! When a mess is made, take time to investigate. The culprit is not always who you imagine. #8 Your sweet tomcat tries to scare you If they pull the Exorcist stunt at 3 a.m., it’s simply to make you run away! #9 They mark their territory. Or rather, control the zone. Thanks to the pheromones they leave all over your home, your cat clearly tells rivals this is their territory. Why have we never thought to use this technique? Our tomcats are just too clever... #10 They send you messages And if the lizard or mouse they gently place on your rug is actually a warning? A kind of “you’re next on my list.” And we are crazy about them... Totally doting: we serve them their favorite pâté in a nice bowl, cuddle and pamper them... We look at them as the 7th wonder of the world and think we don’t deserve such cute beings in our lives. Without realizing for a second that tomorrow, they will be the masters of the planet.

Our cats make our lives better! And we're not making this up, since it has been scientifically proven that they have a positive effect on our physical and mental health.

Do our cats love us sincerely, or do they dream of killing us in our sleep? A little bit of both, surely. For the length of this article, we've put ourselves in the mindset of our kitties, the kings of tough love. #1 "You're a terrible hunter" He tries to make you understand this by bringing you gifts (sometimes still alive). #2 "You're already back?" If your little love doesn't rush to your legs when you return, it's because he's too lazy, and if he does, it's probably because he's hungry. #3 "My litterbox won't clean itself" He's wondering why you insist on stealing his poop. #4 "You're a weird cat" When you answer his meows by trying to mimic him, he's wondering what got into you. #5 "Don't forget to buy  my Ziggy cat food" Or I'll make you pay for it in your sleep. #6 "I missed you" After a day alone at home, he's still happy to see his favorite servant. #7 "It's not me, it's the dog" If he could, your kitty wouldn't hesitate to throw the dog under the bus! #8 "I'll leave you your cat tree, I prefer the TV box" We all know this passion our mustachioed friends have for  cardboard boxes... #9 "You're going to the bathroom? Great, I’ll follow you!" It's stronger than them, they want to be involved in everything. #10 "I love you human" And he lets you know by rubbing against your legs or purring on your chest. We love them too, our little ungrateful kitties.

As obligate carnivores, our cats have very specific needs. Taurine, for example, is one of the essential nutrients in their diet. They cannot do without it, otherwise they risk developing deficiencies — hence the importance of providing them with a complete and high-quality diet. Our cats and their specific diet Our cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they cannot do without meat in their diet. However, that doesn't mean they should eat ONLY meat — that would actually be dangerous for their health. The fact is: our cats can only meet their nutritional needs through animal tissue. These specific needs reflect their strict carnivore nature, adapted to consuming small prey. Therefore, our cats have unique nutritional requirements: taurine, arginine, arachidonic acid, niacin, tyrosine, cysteine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, tryptophan, threonine, histidine, pyridoxine, vitamins A and D. You might have guessed it, but for these reasons, our cats cannot be fed a vegetarian diet or one too low in animal proteins. Taurine in my cat's diet: an essential nutrient Taurine is one of the 11 essential amino acids for our cats' health. It is a sulfonic amino acid found in animal proteins — in meat, fish, and shellfish. It is essential for growth, reproduction, proper heart, muscle, and vision function. Taurine is a precursor of bile acids, which are essential for fat digestion. Cats use taurine exclusively to conjugate bile acids, excreting all bile acids in the form of taurocholate (a component of bile, secreted by liver cells). Taurine therefore also supports proper digestion in our cats. Mammals can synthesize taurine from sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine). However, our cats have the necessary enzymes, but two of them have low activity: cysteine dioxygenase and cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase. To meet their taurine needs, they must obtain it directly from their diet — especially from animal tissues rich in taurine. Taurine is destroyed during cooking Taurine is naturally found in meat, but to ensure a complete and high-quality cat food, it is necessary to add it during the industrial production of wet food or kibble. Indeed, taurine is heat-sensitive. During industrial food processing, food is cooked between 90°C and 140°C for several minutes, which destroys taurine. That’s why it must be added in higher amounts during production, to ensure enough remains after cooking. This is also why you’ll find it listed on your cat food labels. Taurine deficiency in cats = danger Cats cannot do without taurine — and therefore animal protein — in their diet, or they risk severe deficiencies. What are the consequences of a taurine deficiency in cats? central retinal degeneration (which causes irreversible blindness) degeneration of heart muscle leading to cardiomyopathy impaired immune function teratogenicity: a pregnant cat lacking taurine may give birth to kittens with abnormal growth and development. Don't worry — taurine deficiencies are relatively rare when a cat is fed a complete and high-quality diet. However, if your cat seems unwell, consult your veterinarian for an examination. Taurine deficiency can be detected through a simple blood test. Are you a feline nutrition expert? Test your knowledge with our quiz!

What can our mustached friend be doing when we leave for work for the day? Don't worry, these little ungrateful beings we love so much are busy in a thousand ways! We're revealing the (real) secret life of our cats. #1 He Sleeps While you struggle to sleep 6 hours a night, your cat can sleep up to 18 hours a day, which is about 70% of his time! Life's not too hard, huh? #2 He Does His Business Thinking about the face you'll make when changing his litter. #3 He Eats Your Plants Then he vomits them on your rug. Be careful,  some plants are toxic to our kitties! #4 He Takes It Easy While you're killing yourself at work to give him the best life possible. #5 He Thinks About His Next Meal And especially his favorite canned food... when is it coming home?! #6 He Gets Some Exercise From the couch to the bed, and from the bed to his bowl. #7 He Spies on the Neighbors To tell you all the neighborhood gossip once he's home, a true Desperate HouseCat. #8 He Goes Hunting To bring you dinner, since he thinks you can't fend for yourself. #9 He Celebrates the Couch Instead of his scratching post! #10 He Plans World Domination Get ready, soon, cats will rule the world (well, after their nap, of course).