When your cat reaches the age of 1 year, it is time to completely switch to an adult animal’s diet and feeding regimen. The thing is that the diet of a kitten and an adult cat is significantly different. To maintain health and playful mood, read on about what to feed the cat.
The main differences from the kitten’s
food:
- first, adult cats need to be fed less frequently and in smaller portions,
- secondly, the balance of nutrients, vitamins and minerals in the feeds for toddlers and mature individuals also varies.
Feeding the cat ready-to-eat
What is the difference between the above three classes of cat food?
Economy – is made from cheaper second-class raw materials. This class of food contains meat by-products, soy, which provides low energy value of such feed. As a result, the cat needs a large amount of food to get enough. Also, the content of preservatives, dyes and flavour enhancers, so it is undesirable to feed the animal such food for a long time. When providing economy class should be additionally given vitamin and mineral supplements.
Premium – in the manufacture of such feed use natural meat, but do not do without by-products. Also, add vegetable protein – corn and preservative with dyes. Better than the economy, so often these feeds are used for a long time. You can add vitamins and minerals by giving them courses.
From personal experience, I will add that canned “Sheba” is magnificent, because if the jar says that inside the feed with mussels and shrimps, inside really there is this seafood (I saw).
Super Premium – the name of the class of these feeds speaks for itself. These feeds are prepared from meat, perfectly balanced and contain all the necessary vitamins, minerals, fatty acids. A preservative in these feeds is vitamin E, so these are ideal for proper cat nutrition and are tasty and useful. The only negative – counterfeiting of such meals is widespread. So buy them in checked stores and pay attention to the appearance of the packaging.
Also, there are particular therapeutic diets for cats with different body needs in the super-premium class. But such feed should be given only on the appointment of a veterinarian.
Feeding cats with natural food
Of course, it isn’t easy to optimally balance the ratio of nutrients, vitamins and minerals in natural food. But if you have chosen this type of food for your pet, then it is acceptable. The main thing to remember is that a cat is not a person and feeding the cat food from the owner’s table is not good.
Cat is a predator and the basis of the diet should be meat and meat by-products (stomachs, hearts, lungs).
Meat is given low-fat (beef or poultry), boiled or over frozen.
Subproducts are advised to give raw, but I would not risk myself personally, so I recommend cooking a little before giving the cat. Meat is provided at least once a week at least 100 – 150 grams.
Vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, asparagus beans) boil or raw to give several times a week. It can be mixed with meat.
Porridge (oatmeal, rice, buckwheat) boil and mix with meat and vegetables. In conjunction with the heart, it can be given as a main course for many years.
Dairy products (low-fat curd, low-fat kefir or rye) give 2-3 times a week. The frequency depends on how the cat’s stomach perceives such products. Milk is not recommended as it can cause diarrhoea in cats.
Vegetable oil (1/2 teaspoon) – 3 times a week to mix with food for normal bowel function.
Sprouted oats – a source of vitamins, helps to cleanse the intestines.
Vitamin complexes – to give necessarily! Especially those that contain arginine and taurine, arachidonic acid, glucosamine.
How many times to feed?
The frequency of feeding the cat depends on age, physical activity and health status.
Pregnant, lactating and emaciated animals can, and should, eat more often and receive more food than the rest. But neutered and sterilised animals usually need less energy, and, therefore, less food. Accurate advice on this should be given by veterinarians who observe your pet.
The cat should not be fed twice a day – they produce bile emissions, so they eat little by little and often.
How to feed the cat
If you feed your animal industrial ready-made food, pay attention to the feeding recommendations, which write on packages with food. These are usually good recommendations that serve as advice, but that does not mean that these recommendations are a fundamental postulate. It all depends on your cat’s physical activity and remember that sometimes it is better to underfeed than to overfeed, sweltering summers. Remember that the only thing your cat should always have free access to is water. green_box [/green_box]
If you feed the natural cat food, the approximate calculation of food for one feeding looks like this: 30-70 grams of food per 1 kg of the animal. But again, it all depends on the state of health, age and physical activity of the cat.
Be attentive to your pet’s needs and choose the type of food that will be convenient for you and fit your pet in all respects. Remember that understanding what to feed the cat – the key to your pet’s health and longevity.
