Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-06-2003 11:24 PM         

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I heard somewhere that if your cats put money in their food dish it means they are lacking a certain vitamin or mineral. Has anybody else heard this? I sometimes find change, mostly pennies, in their food dishes. Any ideas?

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Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 12-06-2003 11:44 PM         

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I've never heard of a cat putting change into a food dish before.LOL.
Im pretty sure they don't have the ability to determine whether or not they are lacking certain nutrients in their diet.

Here is a quote from "Canine and Feline Nutrition" by Case,Carey,Hirakawa:
"Contrary to popular beleif, dogs and cats are unable to self-regulate their intake of most essential nutrients. Companion animals that are deficient in a particular vitamin, mineral, or essential amino acid will not seek foods that contain the nutrient or preferentially select a diet that is abundant in the deficient nutrient."

[This message has been edited by nern (edited 12-06-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 84
From:Hull, UK
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-07-2003 12:37 AM         

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It sounds very strange indeed. You don't by any chance have any small children in your household who might be doing this and not the cat?

If you think your cats might be vitamin deficient try buying a nutrient complete cat food like Iams or Hills.
Pennies are mostly made from copper, though there are a few other compounds in there. So maybe some red meat in their diet might help?
Really its pretty puzzling. I'm used to cats stealing socks and underwear but money!? Maybe they are leaving you a tip for feeding them!

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Posts: 6
From:Tacoma, Wa
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 12-07-2003 11:54 AM         

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I have no idea what change in cat's dishes n=means but my cat always puts rubberbands in her dish, i find some in there almost everyday, I think it's just certain cat's interest, your cat probaly just likes change.

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Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 12-07-2003 12:29 PM         

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lol, I like the idea of them leaving me a tip. Although they really are just taking the money from me, so it's like I am tipping myself. I know who does it, I have seen Pirate carrying change around. He also drops whatever toy he is playing with in the food dish so I find balls and toy mice in there. I'm guessing he just happens to be playing with change and drops it in there.

There is no small child, just me and the cats and dogs.

I just remember hearing something like that so I wondered if there was any truth to it. I feed them quality food so they shouldn't be lacking any nutrients.

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Member

Posts: 24
From:Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 12-07-2003 03:32 PM         

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Thats pretty funny, i wish i could train my cats to do that, start a savings account. lol.

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