According to statistics, it is cats that are todaythe most popular pets. And if until recently they performed a utilitarian function (catching mice and rats), now cats are considered full members of the family and live next to us just like that, simply because we love them. We, in turn, humanize cats so much that sometimes such an attitude is harmful to them. For example, many owners do not know how to properly feed a cat and limit it to a diet consisting exclusively of prepared food. Others do not even bother themselves with buying special food and treat their pets with what they eat themselves. However, domesticated cats continue to be animals, and not just any kind, but predatory ones. And centuries of existence next to humans has not affected their needs for the food to which they are adapted by nature itself. Of course, it is up to you to decide what kind of food to treat your cat - dry food or so-called natural food. But any owner needs to know what is good for a cat and what is harmful. In addition, an adult cat (cat), a kitten or a pregnant cat need to be fed differently. What should be included in your pet's diet? How does food for adult cats and small kittens differ? How to feed a cat expecting offspring? Let's figure it out.
General rules of feeding
As we have already said, cats have not lostpredatory instincts and the need for food, typical of this order of mammals. What do cats eat in the wild? What they can get. And the prey of the ancestors of our domestic cats were small mammals, birds, rodents and insects. What is noteworthy is that both wild and domestic cats eat their prey whole. So not only meat becomes cat food, but also wool, feathers, entrails and even small bones. Moreover, the cat eats what is in its stomach along with its trophy. Therefore, berries, cereals, root vegetables and leaves (greens) also become food for wild cats. Note that the cat eats meat (proteins) raw, and receives plant food (carbohydrates) in a semi-digested form. This is how you need to calculate the diet of a domestic cat. So, the diet of a domestic cat should include animal and plant food, most of which is meat, and additionally - cereals and vegetables. However, there are limitations here. For example, beef and poultry are considered healthy for cats, but it is not recommended to feed them pork. Harmless cereals are oatmeal, buckwheat, barley groats and rice. Healthy vegetables are non-starchy root vegetables (beets and carrots), as well as cabbage, zucchini and cucumbers. As for dairy food, cats can only be given low-fat and unsweetened fermented milk products: kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk. Fresh milk is great for feeding a small kitten, but in adult animals it can cause digestive upset. If your cat's body digests fresh milk well, then it can also be included in the diet. As for processing food, for example, meat and vegetables can be given both raw and boiled, and cereals must be cooked into porridge. But what cats should not eat is fried meat, and any other fried foods. In general, the list of products that are taboo in a cat's diet is quite extensive. In addition to fried food, cats should not be given smoked, pickled or salted foods. Spicy food, spices and sweets are also contraindicated for them. Legumes (peas, beans, lentils) and potatoes are not digested by the cat's body. You cannot feed a cat raw fish and offal, but boiled or steamed, they can be included in the cat's diet.
Feeding the kittens
Kittens, like human children, needspecial nutrition. Firstly, their digestive system is not yet adapted to food suitable for adult animals. Secondly, a growing kitten has completely different needs for the amount of proteins and carbohydrates. Thirdly, compared to adult cats, babies have a different metabolism and peristalsis. Therefore, it is very important to feed the kitten the right food and in the right regime. The feeding regime is the first thing that distinguishes the feeding of a kitten. Some experts generally recommend providing the baby with round-the-clock access to a bowl of food, others adhere to the opinion of an organized diet in a certain regime. If you share the first point of view, then everything is simple here: make sure that the baby has enough food and water during the day. If you are a supporter of the regime, then follow the system of multiple feeding of the kitten:
- up to two months of the kitten it is necessary to feed five to six times a day;
- from two to four months the kitten is fed four times a day;
- a half-year-old kitten can already be transferred to three meals a day;
- from the eighth month of life, the kitten begins to feed, like an adult cat, twice a day.
The kitten's menu also differs from the dietadult animal. Remember the famous advertising slogan that a kitten's stomach is smaller than a thimble? So the first difference in a baby's menu is the amount of food. Although these animals rarely overeat, even at such a young age. The second condition for proper nutrition is a balanced menu. What to feed a kitten so as not to harm it and ensure excellent health.
Feeding a pregnant cat
If your pet is expecting kittens, then it is necessarywill take care of her special nutrition. Note that during the period of bearing kittens, the cat's diet changes depending on the pregnancy period - at each stage, the expectant mother has different needs both in the amount of food and in the composition of the menu. Already in the first two weeks, the number of meals is increased up to four times, and the volume of food by 10%. By the way, the amount of food is increased not by the size of the portions, but by the number of meals. Starting from the third to the seventh week, the volume of food increases by another 50%. During this period of bearing kittens, you can also increase the volume of portions. However, it is important not to overfeed the animal, since it is at this time that the cat can develop obesity, which will have a very adverse effect on both the health of the mother and the health of the kittens. From the seventh week of pregnancy, your cat will begin to eat less, which is associated with the increase in the size of the kittens and the increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity. From this time until birth, the size of the portions is reduced, but the number of meals is increased. But a complete refusal of a cat to eat is a clear sign of the imminent birth of small kittens. As for the composition of the menu of a pregnant cat, she needs high-calorie and mineral- and protein-rich food. Veterinarians recommend reducing the amount of carbohydrates in favor of protein food and in no case increasing the calorie content due to fats. What should the menu of a cat carrying kittens include? Half of the daily ration is boiled beef. In addition, it is imperative to feed a pregnant cat with cottage cheese, kefir, vegetables and cereals. A pregnant cat also needs to be given egg yolk and boiled chicken meat. Natural food should be supplemented with mineral and vitamin preparations. If your animal is accustomed to ready-made food, then give it special food for pregnant cats without additional vitamins and minerals. Some owners give cats food for kittens during pregnancy. However, before making such a decision, consult a veterinarian.
Feeding a castrated cat
A big problem for owners of neutered animalsanimals become at risk of developing urolithiasis of cats. That is why the diet of a neutered cat is somewhat different from the usual cat menu. The feeding regime remains the same, but the composition of the food should change. Your task is to feed a neutered cat with products with a minimum content of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. And in this case, the main condition for proper feeding is the exclusion of fish in any form from the cat's menu. The next thing you should provide your pet with is plenty of water, since neutered animals urinate much less often, which also becomes a risk of developing urolithiasis. This is especially true for animals transferred to dry food. Therefore, many veterinarians recommend feeding a neutered cat only natural food. If the cat is accustomed to dry food, then try to gradually replace it with wet canned food. And if this does not work, then soak dry granules in milk or water. Another risk after castration is the development of obesity in a cat. Therefore, the animal should not be overfed or given fatty foods. It is also worth paying attention to the calorie content of the products from which the food is prepared, or the number of calories indicated on the packaging of the prepared food. Weekly fasting days will not be superfluous. However, this is useful not only for neutered animals. The teeth and gums of a neutered cat are also at risk. If your cat eats prepared food, then there is no reason to worry. Such food contains food additives for the prevention of dental diseases. And for a neutered cat eating natural food, it is useful to include meat cut into large pieces in the diet. This will also prevent the development of gum and dental diseases. So, natural food for neutered animals should not contain fish. Its main composition is lean beef and chicken, cereals, cottage cheese and vegetables. You can also transfer the animal to a combined diet and give it natural food and prepared food.
Ready-made food and natural food
Feeding cats so-called natural food,Of course, it is healthier than using canned food. And although the manufacturers of ready-made food claim that this food is balanced, and you will never be able to achieve the same balance when feeding cats natural food, the advantages of natural food are undeniable. Firstly, cats are genetically adapted to natural food. Secondly, complete natural food prolongs the life of domestic cats. Thirdly, such food does not contain artificial additives and preservatives, which are included in any ready-made food. And fourthly, it is simply tastier. Imagine that your diet will consist exclusively of canned food and crackers. How do you like this prospect? So think about it before you start treating your cat with dry food, no matter how high-quality and balanced it is. In order to maintain a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates when feeding natural food, you just need to remember the proportions: the main part of the diet is meat and dairy products, and the additional part of the diet is cereals and vegetables. Naturally, you also need to prepare natural food according to the rules and in no case should you consider food from your table as natural. If you prefer dry or wet ready-made food, then choose only the highest quality and proven ones. By the way, you cannot rely on the preferences of the animal itself, since flavor additives can cause addiction to dry food and canned food. In this case, the food itself will not be of high quality and balanced composition, and the animal will begin to stubbornly refuse any other food. Which food - dry or wet - should you give preference to? There is no clear answer here: canned food is canned food. In this case, something else is much more important - to buy only high-quality premium food. And although they are noticeably more expensive, you will not provoke the development of urolithiasis, dermatosis or gastritis in your pet with such dry food. Super-premium food is also not suitable for a daily diet. The thing is that they are intended only for the period of preparation of animals for exhibitions, and their main goal is to improve the appearance of the cat. You also cannot feed adult animals (except pregnant cats) dry or wet food intended for kittens and vice versa. If the food is marked with an age range, then follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Well, the final decision in favor of natural food or ready-made food is up to you. After all, you are responsible for those you have tamed. We recommend reading:
