Big Round Eyes, a Tiny Pink Nose, and a Plate of Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Big round eyes, tiny pink nose, and a gaze aimed straight at whoever is holding the serving spoon. A fluffy cream Persian kitten sits on the dining table beside a generous plate of mashed potatoes topped with a melting pat of butter, looking up with an expression of perfect, polite longing. Her long, wispy fur stands out in soft tufts, and a few stray hairs on the table suggest she's been here for a while. Around her lie the remains of the holiday meal: a plaid napkin, a few green beans, a bowl of cranberries, scattered leaves, and a glass by the window.

Despite the classic image of cats lapping up cream, many adult cats are lactose intolerant, and dairy can cause upset stomachs. Mashed potatoes usually include butter, milk, salt, and sometimes garlic or onion, none of which belong in a kitten's diet. Plain cooked potato isn't toxic, but it doesn't offer cats much nutrition, since they're obligate carnivores who need meat-based diets. Persian kittens are also prone to sensitive tummies and tear staining, so a consistent, high-quality kitten food is the best plan. If your kitten begs at the table, a small piece of her regular food or a kitten treat is the safest reward.

It's hard to say no to that face, but this cream puff will be just fine with her own dinner. The mashed potatoes are safe, for now.