{"id":3566,"date":"2021-02-01T08:58:21","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T08:58:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/?p=3566"},"modified":"2021-02-01T08:58:21","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T08:58:21","slug":"should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I warm up my cat\u2019s wet food?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Cats can be finicky eaters sometimes. When it comes to wet cat food, some cats will eat the food straight from the fridge, while others prefer their food warmed up before eating. Warming up a cat\u2019s wet food will enhance the smell and palatability of the food, so your cat will probably enjoy it more warmed up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s learn more about preparing wet food for our feline friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Is_it_normal_to_heat_up_your_pets_food\" title=\"Is it normal to heat up your pet&#8217;s food?\">Is it normal to heat up your pet&#8217;s food?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Benefits_of_eating_up_wet_cat_food\" title=\"Benefits of eating up wet cat food\">Benefits of eating up wet cat food<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Giving_your_cat_raw_meat\" title=\"Giving your cat raw meat\">Giving your cat raw meat<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Cooking_meat_for_your_cat\" title=\"Cooking meat for your cat\">Cooking meat for your cat<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#More_questions_about_wet_cat_food\" title=\"More questions about wet cat food\">More questions about wet cat food<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Should_wet_cat_food_be_refrigerated\" title=\"Should wet cat food be refrigerated?\">Should wet cat food be refrigerated?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Can_I_microwave_wet_cat_food\" title=\"Can I microwave wet cat food?\">Can I microwave wet cat food?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#How_do_you_know_if_wet_cat_food_is_bad\" title=\"How do you know if wet cat food is bad?\">How do you know if wet cat food is bad?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#Why_would_a_cat_stop_eating_wet_food\" title=\"Why would a cat stop eating wet food?\">Why would a cat stop eating wet food?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#The_bottom_line\" title=\"The bottom line\">The bottom line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_normal_to_heat_up_your_pets_food\"><\/span>Is it normal to heat up your pet&#8217;s food?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The final decision to heat your cat\u2019s food is yours. It can be a bit of a hassle without much benefit. That\u2019s why only 24% of cat owners bother to heat their feline companions\u2019 food, serving them room temperature food most of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, heating your cat\u2019s food is an excellent approach if you typically store your cat\u2019s food in the refrigerator or if you\u2019re trying to encourage them to eat more. Otherwise, it\u2019s up to you and your cat\u2019s preferences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most important thing to take into consideration is ensuring your cat has optimal health. Cats have a normal body temperature of around 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. It\u2019s important to make sure your cat\u2019s food doesn\u2019t get too hot nor cold, so it doesn\u2019t burn them or lower their body temperature too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any concern that the food may be too hot, check it against the back of your hand. If it\u2019s too hot for your skin, then it\u2019s even hotter for your feline companion\u2019s mouth. You can also use a thermometer to double-check the food\u2019s temperature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although warm food can be delicious to humans, when feeding your cats, make sure not to \u2018anthropomorphize\u2019 your cat too much or give them human characteristics. Most cats don\u2019t actually care whether their food is warm or cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/best-cat-food-for-indoor-cats\/\">Best cat food for indoor cats<\/a> &#8211; read about our choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benefits_of_eating_up_wet_cat_food\"><\/span>Benefits of eating up wet cat food<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If your cat doesn\u2019t seem interested in his cold wet food, or you just want to introduce some variety into his diet, you could try warming up some food for him. It has several benefits, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Cats can typically taste their food through its scent, meaning they begin to pick up their food\u2019s flavors before eating the actual food. Food that is warmed up to between 93 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit can increase this enticing aroma and make their meals even tastier and pleasant.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Since a cat is a natural predator, they should be able to catch and kill their prey, which usually remains warm as they eat their catch. This means that cats are naturally inclined to heat warm food.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing to note is that placing your cat\u2019s food inside the refrigerator prevents you from serving it at room temperature. Most cat food brands advise that cat food should be eaten at least at room temperature. So, if you do keep it in the fridge for some reason, you will need to warm your cat\u2019s food up before serving, bringing it to palatable temperatures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As long as it is unopened, most canned cat foods don\u2019t actually need to be kept in the fridge. If you open the can and only serve half of it to start, the remaining half should be refrigerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Giving_your_cat_raw_meat\"><\/span>Giving your cat raw meat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats have a natural appetite for protein. Considering their ancestry as wild cats, you may be wondering if they need raw or cooked food. It isn\u2019t always clear how packaged or commercial cat food is made, so if you\u2019re thinking of preparing your cat\u2019s food yourself, you\u2019ll need to know how to prepare their meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind to never base your pet\u2019s diet on a human diet because it won\u2019t provide enough protein for your cat and will cause health issues for them. Additionally, be careful when creating a raw food diet for your feline companion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) doesn\u2019t recommend giving any raw food to your pets, especially if they have a weakened immune system. That\u2019s because of the bacteria and other pathogens that come from raw meat can pose a considerable risk for your cat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A cat can typically process raw meat, meaning you can add it to their diet. However, there are several risks involved for both you and your cat, though research about the issue is still scarce. If you\u2019re going to offer raw meat for your cat, wash your hands before and after preparing the food.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are other measures you should keep in mind:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Separate the meat and anything it touches from other foods.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Wash any item the raw meat touches quickly and thoroughly using warm water and dish soap.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Choose and purchase the best quality meat from reputable stores.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Ask your cat\u2019s veterinarian if raw meat is suitable for your cat.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Keep an eye out for any changes in your cat\u2019s health or symptoms.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cooking_meat_for_your_cat\"><\/span>Cooking meat for your cat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Domestic cats are perfectly healthy eating nutritious, high-quality, store-bought foods, but perhaps you want to give your feline friend an extra treat once in a while, like some plain chicken breast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When cooking for your cat, make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked and has an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. This will remove any harmful particles. It\u2019s also best to keep the food safe by not adding any seasonings, as they can be toxic to your pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"More_questions_about_wet_cat_food\"><\/span>More questions about wet cat food<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_wet_cat_food_be_refrigerated\"><\/span>Should wet cat food be refrigerated?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve opened a can of wet cat food and you didn\u2019t use the whole can, you must store it in the fridge at a temperature between 40\u00b0F to 45\u00b0F. It can last for 5 to 7 days. Any food left at an ambient temperature of 50\u00b0F or more can be dangerous to your cat\u2019s health. After 5 to 7 days, throw out any leftovers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_microwave_wet_cat_food\"><\/span>Can I microwave wet cat food?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Since some cats may dislike the feeling of cold food, you can warm it to make it more appetizing for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can microwave wet cat food by placing it on a microwave-safe plate and warming it briefly before giving it to your feline companion. Make sure you don\u2019t overheat it, or it can burn your cat. If wet food scraps are left behind, toss them out after four hours.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_know_if_wet_cat_food_is_bad\"><\/span>How do you know if wet cat food is bad?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t judge a cat food\u2019s quality by its smell alone since most pet foods, especially wet ones, can smell relatively pungent to the human nose. However, if you\u2019ve been using a particular brand or type of cat food regularly, you\u2019ll quickly notice if it smells \u201coff\u201d or different. Additionally, you can check the cat food\u2019s expiration date.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_would_a_cat_stop_eating_wet_food\"><\/span>Why would a cat stop eating wet food?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If your cats have stopped eating their wet food, it might be because they\u2019ve grown tired of the flavor or it\u2019s too cold. Cold, wet food can lose its delicious aroma when kept in the fridge, and cats won\u2019t usually eat what they can\u2019t smell. If this is the case, try warming up your cat\u2019s food before serving.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_bottom_line\"><\/span>The bottom line<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many cats will refuse the cold, wet cat food that their owners are serving. This is because the cold wet cat food doesn\u2019t smell that strong compared to warm wet foods. Slowly and gently warming your cat&#8217;s food will release and increase the food&#8217;s aroma, which makes the cat food more appealing to your cats. Just ensure you don\u2019t serve the food too hot for your feline friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Should-I-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food_-template_animalsA2Z-2-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Should I warm up my cats wet food?\" class=\"wp-image-3568\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cats can be finicky eaters sometimes. When it comes to wet cat food, some cats will eat the food straight from the fridge, while others prefer their food warmed up<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3567,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[15],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Should I warm up my cat\u2019s wet food? [ Detailed Answer ]<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Should I warm up my cat\u2019s wet food? [ Detailed Answer ]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Cats can be finicky eaters sometimes. When it comes to wet cat food, some cats will eat the food straight from the fridge, while others prefer their food warmed up\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AnimalsA2Z.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-02-01T08:58:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Should-I-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food_featured-template_animalsA2Z-.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"321\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\">\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\">\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/\",\"name\":\"AnimalsA2Z.com\",\"description\":\"Just another WordPress site\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/?s={search_term_string}\",\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Should-I-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food_featured-template_animalsA2Z-.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Should-I-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food_featured-template_animalsA2Z-.jpg\",\"width\":800,\"height\":321,\"caption\":\"Should I warm up my cats wet food?\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/\",\"name\":\"Should I warm up my cat\\u2019s wet food? [ Detailed Answer ]\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-02-01T08:58:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-02-01T08:58:21+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/#\/schema\/person\/40209377c762bd7e66a7a961433e79cf\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"item\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/\",\"name\":\"Home\"}},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"item\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/should-i-warm-up-my-cats-wet-food\/#webpage\"}}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/#\/schema\/person\/40209377c762bd7e66a7a961433e79cf\",\"name\":\"Rolf\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f426b88898e45cab2746f58ec14d18e4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f426b88898e45cab2746f58ec14d18e4?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Rolf\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3566"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3566"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3566\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}