Should You Still Give Street Cats Treats?

There are a lot of stray cats in Korea. While the exact number is unknown, it's estimated that there are about 1 million nationwide. In the past, they were viewed negatively, even called 'thief cats', but recently, public perception of stray cats has been improving. This shift is attributed to the spread of pet culture, animal welfare efforts by animal protection organizations, and media influence.

The number of 'cat moms' (people who regularly feed stray cats) has also increased significantly. Nowadays, even those who don't regularly feed them often carry churu in their bags to give to stray cats. Churu is a liquid cat treat manufactured by Inaba Pet Food in Japan, and in Korea, it's generally used to refer to similar types of treats. Giving churu allows for a brief interaction with cats, which is enjoyable. But did you know that giving churu to stray cats might not be good for their health?

Churu is incredibly appealing to cats, to the point of being called 'cat crack', but it's high in salt and calories and doesn't contain a balanced range of essential nutrients. Salty foods are generally not good for cats, and stray cats are already likely consuming high-salt foods like food scraps. If a cat is normally well-fed, eating churu wouldn't be a problem. However, if a cat isn't eating properly and relies on churu as its main source of food, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, negatively impacting their health.

So, what can you give stray cats instead of churu? The best options are dry food and clean water. Wet food, which also provides hydration, is also good. If you prefer to give treats rather than food, freeze-dried treats are a good option. You might be thinking, 'Nothing is as convenient as churu.' Of course, an occasional churu won't be a problem. It's better for them to have something than nothing! However, stray cats don't know how much or how often they're being given treats, so if you're going to feed them, I wanted to suggest giving them something healthy. If you do give churu, try to limit it to one per day and make sure to provide water as well.

When you see stray cats, you likely feel a desire to get closer to them, drawn to their cuteness and mysterious nature. Churu is almost the only way to disarm these cautious creatures, so it's understandable why many people use it. It's also sweet to want to give them something to eat if you think they might be hungry. I hope that one day, stray cats will have a safe and harmonious environment to live in. Thank you for reading today! :)