Montana's Nyx: the Cat Tax

The Chronicle of Nyx: Volume I, Chapter 8: the Mooch

A truth about pet dogs and cats: whatever food you have is far more appealing than what food they have.

Nyx is now over five pounds of lean cat muscle. Between naps she very actively plays with the "Zoomies" every evening about 8. She has a pretty eye color that I had struggled to compare, not exactly bronze or brass. Now I nickname her "Caramel Eyes."

Photo: Travis Lee, TSM

She has a never-wavering interest in human food and cooking. Be it breakfast cereal with milk, a sandwich for lunch, cheese, cottage cheese, what's cooking on the stove or in the microwave. She literally sticks her nose over the food to smell.

Memories of Millie

I grew up in Forsyth Montana with a Brittany spaniel named Millie. She was a fun dog to play with, and Dad tried to train her for bird hunting.

Millie's real talent was begging. If anyone in the house sat with a cookie, she was right there, head on the person's leg, big sad brown eyes looking up. A sight that said, "Oh please please please may I have a bit of that cookie? I am so hungry." Today she could sit by the side of the road with a cardboard sign that says "Hungry, Need Cookie, God Bless." I just remembered that we dubbed Millie a Champion Moocher. She was so good at it that later in her life she was a little overweight.

The Cat Tax

Now with Nyx, in order to have a meal in peace, I have to keep her away in a closed bedroom. And if I have a snack, she is there to check it out and want her share. I give her a bit to try which she does, after swatting it to the floor. Then she's back for more.

What to Avoid

According to Cats.com, there are foods we humans enjoy that are toxic to cats: chocolate, coffee and energy drinks, alcohol (a little bit in a little body is like us getting hammered), grapes, raisins and currants. Others that can be unhealthy are liver and raw meats, raw eggs and fish, nuts and yes... milk. If not certain, don't give it and call the vet.

In Moderation

With anything else, like canned tuna, should be given in really small amounts and not frequently. Watch for reactions or simply refusals. Cats will turn their nose up at anything.

And true to my family, Nyx enjoys a little cooked beef.