Natural food for kittens recipes. DIY canned food for cats

Not much different from their relatives living in wildlife. When deciding what to feed a cat, first of all you need to proceed from the fact that it is a predator, and the most proper food for him - meat. In theory, an adult pet should be fed raw chicken or beef. However, given modern realities, one has to doubt that such food for a cat will be absolutely safe. Salmonella, worm eggs, all kinds chemicals, used to better preserve meat products, are unlikely to benefit your pet. That is why it is recommended to pre-cook the meat.

By-products, such as chicken or beef liver, should also be included in the diet of an adult cat. This is an excellent source of vitamin A. Many owners feed their cats fish, raw or boiled. It must be said that it is not recommended to use this product in large quantities. Once or twice a week is enough. The fish is not far best food for cats, it promotes the formation of kidney stones.

Before feeding your cat meat or fish, remove all bones to avoid injury. Fish or meat can be mixed with vegetables. This has a beneficial effect on the animal's digestion. Carrots, all types of cabbage, green peas, and sprouted wheat grains are most suitable for this purpose. Beets, bananas, and potatoes are not recommended. Vegetables must first be stewed or boiled.

Of course, such recommendations on how to feed a cat are very relative. Any animal knows better than its owner what nutrients it lacks. Therefore, if your cat is sensitive to vinaigrette or pumpkin puree, do not rush to take the bowl away from him. Thus, it compensates for the lack of vitamins and microelements.

Of course, cats belong to the mammalian family, but dairy products are not so necessary for an adult animal. Moreover, many people experience purring from cow's milk. Cottage cheese is good for an animal, but not in large quantities. In order for your cat's diet to be varied, you can offer the animal low-fat sour cream, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, egg yolk,

When you purchase a purebred animal, the breeder tells you what to feed the cat. But each animal has its own character and its own eating habits. Therefore, after getting to know your pet more closely, the diet can be varied in accordance with his wishes.

The first question that arises for a pet owner is: what to feed the cat - ready-made food or natural products? In this case, you better make your choice right away, since many owners notice that animals accustomed to Whiskas and Kitty Cat are very reluctant to switch to natural food.

The usefulness of granules made from industrial fats is highly questionable. And professional food is not the cheapest pleasure.
However, ready-made food has its big advantages. There is no need to prepare it; the bags are convenient to store and take with you on the go. Thanks to the packaging, the serving size can be calculated without much difficulty.

Among the advice on what to feed your cat, you will not find recommendations to offer the animal food from the owner’s table. And this is no coincidence, since human food is not suitable for your pet. There are cats that will not refuse ham or smoked sausage, but this is not a reason to indulge the animal and form unhealthy eating habits.

I would also like to say a little about what to feed your cat. Tap water is equally harmful to both people and animals. Mineral water without gas is also an unnecessary element in a cat’s diet. It promotes the formation of kidney stones. The best option is clean drinking water from the bottle or after filtration.

For a healthy adult cat, two feedings per day are enough. Do not give in to your pet's provocative meowing. A cat reacts to food smells, but this does not mean that it is hungry. In addition, obeying instincts, the purr strives to eat in reserve, in case there is no food tomorrow.

Kittens up to six months old and nursing mothers should eat at least five times a day.
But older and obese animals will benefit from dietary restrictions. You can feed them once a day. If it is difficult for your animal to maintain this regime, offer him to eat more often, but reduce the portion. It is advisable to carry out at the same time. This way the animal’s gastrointestinal tract will work better, and she herself will get used to the regime and will not ask for handouts from the owner’s table.

Preface

Proper natural nutrition for a cat is mostly a monotonous, species-specific diet that does not require heat treatment, mainly consisting of medium-fat fermented milk products, raw meat or raw offal (heart, tripe, kidneys, etc.) and plant foods ( vegetables and some unsweetened fruits) in raw form, as well as in the form of bran from cereals as an additive to the main diet.

Actually, cereals (porridge and other flour products) should not be present in the cat’s diet. Porridges and products made from or with the addition of flour contain easily digestible carbohydrates, which can cause disruption of the intestinal microflora, as well as a decrease in resistance, in all dogs and cats, which are known to be carnivores. The state of the animal’s health directly depends on the state of the intestine, which is a key organ not only in digestion, but also in providing the defense system (resistance and immunity of the body). Thus, the presence of dysbiosis in the intestines, which is facilitated by dietary disturbances, can lead to the development of mass pathological processes, including increases the tendency to allergies, disruption of work internal organs, the emergence of a number of chronic inflammatory diseases and obesity, often associated with each other.

The health and resistance of animals depends very much on nutrition, and this is very important role has a healthy gastrointestinal tract and healthy intestinal microflora. If your cat's diet includes cereal or commercial dry food that contains from 40 to 55% grains, corn or sweet potatoes, then you cannot expect normal, healthy intestinal microflora. However, even with a natural diet, digestive disorders are possible, indicating a painful condition of the cat. When switching to a natural diet, stool passage becomes a little less frequent, and the consistency of the stool changes to darker and denser. This is typical, normal and does not indicate a problem. But if there is a significant decrease in stool passage (less than once every 2 days), it is recommended to consult a doctor and decide on the possibility of switching back to a dry diet or correcting natural ingredients. Most often, the problem of constipation occurs with an exclusively meat diet, without the addition of fermented milk foods and a source of fiber.

Meat in a cat's diet

The main meat in a cat’s diet is lean beef, maybe not the first grade. It is not necessary or even advisable to feed your cats tenderloin and other high-quality meats. It is allowed to feed lamb, horse meat, and rabbit meat to cats of all ages, given the high calorie content of lamb and rabbit meat, which is more affordable. It is not recommended to give pork.

Chicken, turkey and their offal can also be given, but individually, paying attention to the reaction from the digestive system and skin. It is not advisable to feed chicken skin to cats.

Meat, both beef and chicken, is always given raw, pre-frozen; there is no need to pour boiling water over it and heat treat the meat. Meat should not be ground into mince.

It should be noted right away that feeding a cat up to a year only one meat guarantees development, since the kitten will not be satisfied with the amount of calcium. To prevent this from happening, carefully read the recommendations for mineral supplements at the link below.

Meat by-products

Meat feeding for a cat can include not only meat, but also by-products (kidneys, heart, by-products of chickens, turkeys, etc.), which can completely replace meat. By-products must also be raw. It should be taken into account that offal is a less nutritious component of the meat diet compared to meat, but at the same time, for example, the udder is significantly higher in calories than meat due to fat.

It is not recommended to give liver and lung to cats often, since not everyone tolerates raw liver equally well, and there is no point in treating it thermally. However, many people successfully use these components in the diet of dogs and cats. However, not all cats tolerate a particular meat component equally well, so if an ingredient is intolerant, which is manifested by diarrhea or vomiting, it should be removed from the diet, as well as if other components of the cat’s natural diet are not tolerated. And in order to be able to determine which component the reaction occurs to, they need to be introduced into the cat’s diet separately.

Of course, one can become infected with one or another disease from one or another product, but rare cases of infection from raw, untested and not frozen meat do not allow one to be afraid of feeding a cat raw product. It is unlikely that any veterinarian will be able to recall a case of infection from anything from meat. In addition, the concentration of hydrochloric acid in the stomach of carnivores there is more than in humans and is sufficient to perform its disinfecting functions in relation to raw meat and fish. We also do not recommend purchasing meat “from hand” or at the “Poultry Market”, where you can buy products obtained from a known sick animal, and even freezing it will not help, and heat treatment of meat reduces the nutritional value of the product for the cat.

Fish in a cat's diet

Cats can be given raw fillets of sea and ocean frozen fish, not bony, low-fat varieties, replacing meat with seafood in meat feeding 2-3 times a week. However, it is not recommended to constantly feed fish. Small fish can be given whole raw, in which case the bone along with soft tissues it is chewed completely and does not pose a threat (it is even recommended), but when feeding boiled fish, which should not be done, the bone easily separates and can be swallowed whole, which is dangerous.

There are several questions that are often asked regarding feeding fish to cats:

The problem with thiaminase is relevant for animal farms, where there is mainly a mono-diet and, if you feed one raw fish, then there will be hypovitaminosis B1, and therefore this is not relevant for a homemade mixed diet.

Feeding fish does not have any effect on the development of urolithiasis. This is an assumption for a long time existed among veterinarians, based on the fact that fish contains a lot of phosphorus, which, when released, creates conditions for the development of sand in bladder(struvite). But studies conducted with experience on adding additional amounts of phosphorus to the diet of cats did not lead to the development of this pathology.

Dairy products

Can be given to cats dairy products fat content up to 9%, but not everyone tolerates such fat content well. But low-fat dairy products should not be given either. In some cases, full-fat dairy products loosen stools. Also, loose stool may be associated with the brand of kefir, which must be selected individually for sensitive cats. Fermented baked milk, cream, sour cream should not be given to cats, as well as yoghurt with fruit or sugar, but milk is not forbidden, if tolerated normally.

The most optimal fermented milk products are cottage cheese with a fat content of up to 5-9%, kefir with a fat content of 3.5%, yogurt, short term storage, up to 7 days.

Using Evitalia and Narine starter cultures based on pasteurized milk, you can make a healthy fermented milk product that is useful not only for cats, but also for humans, and feed it either separately or together with cottage cheese.

Dividing cat nutrition into fermented milk and meat

The main components of the diet are fermented milk products at one feeding and raw vegetables and raw meat with a small amount of butter at another. As mentioned above, vegetables can, if possible, be fed to the cat separately.

This means that fermented milk feeding can include either kefir alone, cottage cheese alone, or kefir with cottage cheese, curdled milk, yogurt, etc. It is advisable to give fermented milk products with a short shelf life, up to 7 days. Only bran and part of a raw egg can be added to dairy products no more than 2-3 times a week.

Meat feeding may include raw meat, offal or fish. You cannot mix the components of meat and fermented milk feeding with each other.

Vegetables and fiber in a cat's diet

Most vegetables can be fed to cats: carrots, White cabbage, bell pepper, pumpkin, zucchini, beets, cucumbers. It is useful to give greens: parsley, dill, lettuce. The choice is up to the cat. Some cats happily eat grass sprouted at home, this option is also suitable.

Vegetables may be present in the diet as a single option, or there may be several types of vegetables, but one type of vegetable is quite sufficient.

Greens and vegetables should always be given raw, finely chopped or grated on a fine grater.

Vegetables and greens should always be given only with meat feeding or separately. There is no need to mix raw plant foods with components of a fermented milk diet, with the exception of bran, which goes well with meat and dairy foods.

Bran (about bran, see below) in a cat’s diet can complement or even replace raw vegetables, especially in cases where the addition of vegetables leads to various types of indigestion (flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea) or if the cat refuses all types of vegetables completely , which happens more often.

Consistency of cat food

Cats should not be given food in the form of mince. The meat should be cut into pieces, hard vegetables grated on a fine grater, greens and lettuce finely chopped. Bran can be added to wet foods, both dairy and meat. Cats and dogs do not chew food, but swallow it if the piece corresponds to the size of the animal or bites off a piece accessible for swallowing - this is physiological for them and does not cause harm. In addition, ready-made ground meat contains too much fat. Even if the cat has few or no teeth, food can be given in chunks.

Eggs in a cat's diet

Eggs can be given raw, both chicken and quail, by adding 14 whole eggs to milk feeding 2-3 times a week. Both kittens and adult cats can and should be given both the yolk and the white, without separating.

Bran

Bran in a cat's diet, like vegetables, is a source of fiber and therefore it is recommended to add them to the cat's diet along with vegetables or, replacing them, as already mentioned, when refusing vegetables. Bran, unlike vegetables, easily sticks to meat and mixes with dairy foods, which deprives the animal of the opportunity to choose what it wants from a bowl.

The main advantage of bran is its high content of dietary fiber (fiber), which enhances peristalsis, regulates and improves the condition of intestinal microflora.

Bran can be purchased in bulk at health stores, pharmacies or grocery stores and added in this form to both fermented milk and meat feeding.

But fermented milk is preferable, since bran shows its maximum effect when it absorbs liquid and swells. Then, once in the stomach, the bran does not undergo any changes and, retaining water, enters the intestines, accelerating intestinal motility, which is especially recommended for cats with a tendency to constipation.

Oil in a cat's diet

Can be added to cats' vegetable diet different types olive oils, unrefined sunflower oils, pumpkin oils, flaxseed oils, etc., but exotic ones should be avoided. The main oils are unrefined sunflower and olive. Vegetable oils added to the bowl where there are plant components of food (vegetables), regardless of the presence of meat, in a dose of 2-5 drops.

Bones in a cat's diet

Since in the diet of cats, which are classified as small felines, bones are present exclusively in the form of small rodents and birds, at home it is possible to feed cats whole small fish, chicken neck, but always in raw form and together with soft tissues, in which case the animal bites off the bone and meat in sections, but if you chop the bone, the cat can swallow them whole. If in doubt, you can not give the bone at all. It is not recommended to give boiled bones to cats; they are poorly digested and can cause intestinal obstruction.

Prebiotic and probiotic environment in the intestines. Carbohydrates in a cat's diet

Probiotics are preparations based on living “good” microorganisms: lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which remain viable when passing through the gastrointestinal tract, multiply in it and suppress the development of pathogenic bacteria.

Prebiotics are completely indigestible food ingredients that act as a substrate, a nutrient medium for the growth and life of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine, and also stimulate its functioning.

In the absence of a prebiotic environment (indigestible fiber), the amount beneficial bacteria sharply decreases, since they lack the prebiotic environment they need for nutrition and their share in the intestinal microenvironment will be occupied by pathogenic strains coli, yeast, etc., which, in essence, is dysbacteriosis.

Cereals, bread, pasta are easily digestible carbohydrates (starch); cats need complex carbohydrates of another type, which are found in raw vegetables or bran and which cats cannot digest. Carnivores cannot extract energy from complex carbohydrates and raw fiber; ruminants and herbivores “specialize” in this. It is raw vegetables and bran, or rather the indigestible fiber they contain, that create a prebiotic environment in the cat’s intestines, which is the basis and substrate for creating a probiotic environment and the formation of healthy intestinal microflora.

Moreover, if the cat has proper natural nutrition, then the cat, even without the use of probiotics, will eventually develop the correct intestinal microflora, but only if the animal is healthy and free from congenital and acquired diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that require treatment and are not dependent on correct diet. It is for this reason that introducing probiotics (lactobifadol, Vetom 1.1) into the diet of a cat that receives porridge or dry food does not bring the desired long-term result.

The role of the prebiotic environment in a cat’s diet is played by raw vegetables, which are best (but not necessarily) given to animals as a separate feeding, as well as added to milk or meat diet bran, these components are compatible.

It is better to give cats veterinary probiotics, only if they are not available, then try using human ones. It is possible to take probiotics prophylactically every 3-4 months. But prebiotics (vegetables and bran) must be constantly supplied to the digestive system, especially since this is not a medicine, but a regular component of the diet.

At the same time, you need to understand that if the cat has proper nutrition and the cat is healthy, then without the use of probiotics in the intestines, over time, a healthy intestinal microflora will form on its own.

Is it possible to mix dry food and wet natural or canned food?

Mixing different types of feeding does not have any advantages over the strict principles of feeding a cat, in fact, dry food is designed to be fed exclusively. If you add other components throughout the day, then an imbalance is guaranteed. In addition, combining diets does not make any sense: either convenience or a natural diet.

Vitamins and mineral supplements

An adult cat that receives proper natural nutrition with a certain, even small, dose of raw bone does not necessarily need to be supplemented with any vitamin-mineral supplements at all times. In spring and early summer, you can add dry yeast to your food, which is a natural complex of vitamins. However, if under some circumstances there are doubts about the possibility of using raw bone in the diet of adult cats due to various circumstances, you can use and even recommend the same mineral and vitamin supplement regimens as listed in the link below.

At the same time, kittens and adult cats receive vitamins and minerals absolutely necessary. You can read more details in further publications on the site.

The problem of obesity in cats

Obesity occurs when an animal consumes more energy than it expends. This leads to positive energy balance and obesity. However, the factors that cause positive energy balance are very complex and include physiological and genetic predisposition, influence environment. In other words, obesity is not simply the result of overeating. If this were so, then all individuals consuming high-calorie foods would develop obesity. The main factors causing obesity are:

1. Overeating;
2. Social environment (food competition);
3. Dietary factors;
4. Sterilization;
5. Reduced energy consumption.

The feeling of hunger is reduced by stimuli such as stomach distension, the presence of nutrients in the blood and liver, and the sight, taste and smell of food. All this creates negative feedback to the hypothalamus, which controls energy consumption. To stop eating, one factor is not enough; all are needed at the same time.

Social environment, i.e. competition between animals can increase the amount of food eaten. Additional snacks and begging are other important external factors. Some owners encourage their pets to do this, and the “snack” can be high in calories and often doubles overall energy intake.

Neutered individuals are more susceptible to obesity than their normal counterparts. This is partly due to lower energy expenditure due to their condition, as well as impaired estrogen and testosterone production, which influence the satiety effect of food.

60-70% of energy is spent on maintaining body functions (homeostasis), 10% on heat production (specific dynamic effect), and the remaining 20-30% on physical activity. With promotion physical activity appetite increases. If physical activity decreases, then appetite worsens. Thus, in the latter situation, the animal can easily develop a positive energy balance.

The total volume of food from all feedings per day is calculated using the formula: up to 9 months. 10% and older than 9 months. 5% of body weight (body weight is calculated without taking into account body fat, of course, approximately).

The resulting daily volume of food is divided in half between 50% fermented milk products, 50% raw meat and everything related to meat (beef offal, poultry, fish), raw plant food given in abundance, but approximately 5-10% of the volume of the meat portion. For example, for an average cat weighing 4 kg, you can give 1-2 teaspoons of grated carrots or other vegetables and 12 teaspoons of bran per day. Please note that vegetables and bran are supplements to the protein diet and are not included in the calculated percentages (10% and 5%).

An example of calculating the volume of food for a cat weighing 4 kg, age 9 months. and older:

4kg x 0.05 * =0.2 kg. or 200 gr. Of these, 100 gr. this is cottage cheese and kefir, which will make up fermented milk feeding and meat feeding will consist of 100 grams. raw meat, to which about 10 grams are added. raw grated vegetables and 2-5 drops. unrefined vegetable oil.

An example of calculating the amount of food for a cat weighing 2.2 kg, less than 9 months old:

2.2kg x 0.10 * =0.22 kg. or 220 gr. Of these, 110 gr. This is cottage cheese and kefir, which will make up fermented milk feeding and meat feeding will consist of 110 grams. raw meat, to which about 10-15 grams are added. raw grated vegetables and 2-5 drops. unrefined vegetable oil.

* — Coefficient obtained by dividing 5 and 10% by 100

This formula is not absolute and mandatory, the cat’s feeding regimen, and the amount of food may also vary depending on the physiological state (pregnancy, breed tendency to excess weight, presence of hormonal disorders, sterilization, etc.); age: for old and aging animals the amount of food is reduced, as well as for other individual characteristics. Also welcome fasting days no meat at all, but also without increasing the dose of dairy food. Cats in apartment conditions most often lead a sedentary lifestyle, so if they have food whims, pickiness, or loss of appetite, the diet can be reduced even without fear.

For example, the calculations of the amount of food given above are valid for active cats, which allow themselves active games, etc., even in an apartment. But for a cat leading a sedentary lifestyle, which prefers to sleep most of the day, the calculated amount will be exceeded, and the diet of such an animal requires a reduction in the amount of food eaten by 20-30% (see section The problem of obesity).

Are there breed specific features of a cat’s diet?

There are no fundamental features for healthy cat any breed. A sick animal may need correction, but this requires individual work with the pet.

The cat is accustomed to dry food and refuses natural food.

The solution to this problem with cats is much more more difficulties than with a dog. Cats are more picky, capricious and capricious. Prolonged feeding of dry or wet food to a cat, or other food ingredients not typical for cats, leads to a change in the food instinct, that is, it disorients the animal in choosing the possible food provided by nature. In such cases, fasting for 1-2 days, which would solve all the problems with the dog, may not help. It is recommended to feed the same food, but reduce it significantly so that the cat does not gorge on it for a long time (2-4 weeks or even more). During this period, the cat will lose some weight, its appetite will increase, and its feeding instincts will begin to return. And it is then that you can offer one or another component of natural food, gradually stopping the previous diet. However, the transfer may not be possible, and you will have to feed more familiar food.

Afterword

As you can see, among the indicated food components there are no dry and wet commercial foods, cereals in the form of porridges, breads and other carbohydrate foods; they are not recommended for cats, just as feeding sweet sugary fruits and everything else is not recommended. It is necessary to take into account that in relation to feeding dogs and cats, the concepts of “likes to eat this” or “does not like to eat that”, a strict diet, regardless of whether it is dry food or natural food, do not apply.

The main mistake that owners make in feeding cats is overfeeding. Even if the recommended components are kept, but their volume is greater than the norm, then this is as harmful as feeding the cat unacceptable products.

Should be adhered to simple rule, which works in most cases - if after eating food, the cat left any amount of it in the bowl, then this means that the animal is already overfed. The bowl should not be constantly filled, as is often the case. Only an animal with a moderate feeding instinct will not overeat in conditions of unlimited access to food. By the time of feeding, the cat should show a keen interest in food and eat the entire calculated amount, otherwise if some of the food remains in the bowl, then perhaps the animal is overeating, someone other than you is feeding the pet, or there is a disease leading to decreased appetite. This situation requires a reduction in food volume.

An animal that experiences health problems (diarrhea, regular vomiting) while eating natural food is sick and requires treatment. Switching to dry food will only adapt the animal to the disease, and will not relieve it. This is like a diet that makes life easier, which has the right to be used in practice veterinarian, especially in cases where the animal’s health condition is irreparable or the doctor is unable to cope with the pathology natural diet. Owners need to understand this.

Therefore, the answer to the question: “What to feed a cat?” natural food, which contains everything necessary for the body of a carnivore. It is also necessary to know that the recommendations of breeders or felinologists, as well as the popular literature written by them on keeping and feeding cats, have nothing to do with objective in the right ways feeding, because the reason for such recommendations is partly due to ignorance and lack of understanding of the biological nature of the cat, and, partly, to reduce the cost or simplify the maintenance of the animal.

If you follow all the above feeding rules, your pet will live a long and healthy life.

Many of the questions that you still have after reading this article have already been asked in. However, if something remains unclear, ask there.

Also, questions and answers on most issues related to feeding dogs and cats can be read in.

Industrially produced cat food of various classes does not require cat owners to spend much time preparing it. This is especially important during the busy work schedule of purr owners. But, we cannot neglect the fact that most of these factory products can be harmful to the health of your furry pet. Therefore, nowadays more and more pet owners prefer natural food for cats.

Specially prepared natural food for cats should be the main diet of your purr. Natural food is much more similar to the natural diet of cats in comparison with the wide range of products offered in pet stores and advertised in the media.

Before deciding what to feed a cat living in natural home conditions with natural food, owners will need to find out the nutritional needs of these animals, which, of course, differ from human ones. It is necessary to clearly plan the purr's diet, based on certain norms and requirements for age, gender (cats during pregnancy and lactation require a special diet) and breed categories. A cat, first of all, needs protein food, that is, meat and dairy products, which should make up approximately 85% of the total diet. Everything else is cereals, vegetables and other sources of fiber.

“Taboo” in feeding cats

So, what should you not feed your purring dog?

Baking.
Chocolate and other sweets (this is fraught with the occurrence of worms).
Too sour, salty or bitter foods.
Pork.
Raw milk (to avoid diarrhea).
Mushrooms.
Raw eggs.
Not heat treated raw meat and fish.

Natural feeding for cats

Of course, it is impossible to accurately balance the percentage of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients when natural feeding cats. But if a natural type of nutrition is chosen, the main thing to remember is that a cat’s diet should be different from a human’s.

How should you feed your cat correctly?

The cat is a predator. Its main food is meat, as well as meat by-products (meaning lungs, heart and stomach).

Meat– lean frozen or boiled beef, rabbit or poultry. Meat should be given to the cat approximately 150-200 grams. At least once a week.

By-products– raw or slightly cooked.

Vegetables— raw or boiled carrots, green beans and cauliflower can be given to your cat 2-3 times a week. It is acceptable to mix them with meat.

Porridge– buckwheat, rice and oatmeal, boil well, then mix with vegetables and meat. This recipe can serve as a main dish for more than one year.

Fermented milk products(low-fat kefir, cottage cheese or fermented baked milk) you can feed the cat a couple of times a week.

Vegetable oil– add 2/3 teaspoon to food 3-4 times a week to normalize the functioning of the cat’s intestines.

Vitamin complexes containing glucosamine, arginine, arachidonic acid and taurine should certainly be included in the cat's diet.

Sprouted oats– a real source of vitamins. It perfectly cleanses the intestines.

Feed your cat correctly

It has already been written above that cat food should be exclusively natural. When cooking, choose recipes rich in proteins. Loving owners of furry pets can always easily choose and prepare simple, affordable dishes that can make up a complete and balanced diet nutrition for your cat.

The cat is a capricious and picky eater. Therefore, no one can guarantee that she will like all your culinary delights. The main thing is to start with what your pussy loves and what smells delicious. If used simultaneously in cooking different kinds meat, this will contribute to a more complete balance of nutrients.

How often to feed your cat

The frequency of feeding the purr and the amount of food he eats depends on his age, state of health and culinary preferences.

An overfed cat is at risk of obesity, and an underfed cat is at risk of anemia. Therefore, loving cat owners establish an acceptable feeding regimen and try to stick to it in the future. Kittens up to six months old can be fed three times a day. From the age of six months, the kitty can be fed twice a day, provided that she has no medical conditions that would require a change in diet.

The only thing your purr should have easy access to is water.

If natural food is used for feeding, then it is permissible to feed approximately 30 to 70 grams of feed per kilogram of animal weight at a time.

Inadmissibility of mixing feed

Many cat owners are interested in: is it possible to mix dry food purchased at a pet store with natural food? All veterinarians answer this question unequivocally in the negative. The fact is that when digesting natural food, cats develop one type of digestion, and when digesting dry industrial food, a different one. With frequent changes in the type of food, the stomach and intestines of the pussy do not have time to adapt to it. This, in turn, makes digestion difficult. Frequent changes in the type of feeding threaten the occurrence of chronic gastroenteritis, coprostasis and other serious diseases.

Its appearance, health, and mood depend on how balanced and varied a cat’s diet is. Like humans, animals need a complete complex useful substances. The diet must contain the elements necessary for the body: proteins, carbohydrates, animal and vegetable fat, vitamins, minerals.

IN natural environment In their habitat, cats eat mainly meat. Depending on their size and weight, they hunt large animals - zebras, antelopes, deer, or are content with rabbits, rodents, reptiles, birds, and insects. The basis of their diet is animal protein, so at home the diet should be formulated so that the cat receives it in sufficient quantities. The source of protein is meat, offal, cottage cheese. In addition to protein, animals need micro- and macroelements and vitamins, which are provided by vegetables, fruits, cereals, ready-made vitamin complexes. When introducing vegetables and fruits into a cat's diet, you should remember that not all are suitable for animal nutrition, some contain toxic substances that can cause sharp deterioration health and even death.

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What can you give your cat?

When giving preference to natural homemade food, you need to know what products are acceptable to feed the animal, since improper nutrition will lead to diseases and changes in behavior.

Ready-made dry food and canned food contain a balanced complex that guarantees optimal supply of the body with all necessary substances. When preparing food for your pet yourself, it is not always possible to create a menu in such a way that the diet contains necessary components. Having decided to feed your animal natural food, it is worth supplementing the diet with vitamin and mineral complexes designed specifically for cats.

List of foods acceptable for a cat's diet:

chicken, rabbit, turkey, veal, beef - the basis of nutrition;
offal - lungs, liver, heart, kidneys can be used instead of meat several times a week;
vegetables (cauliflower and white cabbage, peppers, zucchini, pumpkin) are added to the meat at each feeding or once a day;
porridge (buckwheat, oatmeal, rice), given along with meat or dairy products;
fermented milk products - cottage cheese, sour cream, fermented baked milk, kefir - can be consumed with cereals or as a separate food;
vegetable oil is added to porridge or meat 2-4 times a week, half a teaspoon for better intestinal functioning;
chicken eggs (boiled yolk), quail (raw, boiled);
Fruits, if the cat likes them, can be given, but make sure that the animal does not eat bones and seeds;
vitamins containing arachidonic acid, glucosamine, taurine, arginine.

You need to cook food in clean dishes, without adding salt, sugar, or spices. It is unacceptable to feed your pet from a dish with the remnants of yesterday's food; bacteria multiplied in it will cause an upset stomach and vomiting.

Feeding regimen and food processing rules

An adult cat needs to be fed little by little; large portions are difficult to digest, and food that stagnates in the stomach causes discomfort to the animal. The optimal regimen is 3 to 4 times a day in portions of 30 to 70 grams per 1 kg of animal weight. By observing the pet, the owner determines how much food he needs. If your cat has eaten very little, you should not force her to finish eating. It's better to make a smaller portion next time.

Nutrition for pregnant and lactating cats

Often, a cat preparing to become a mother refuses to eat or eats much less than before pregnancy. There is no need to force her. Appetite disappears early, as soon as the animal gets used to its position, you can return to the usual feeding regimen, gradually increasing the portions. For the expectant mother you need a lot of vegetables, herbs, grains, vitamins A and B. Increase the amount of dairy products rich in calcium, whey is especially useful. The menu includes boiled beef cartilage, which contains a lot of vitamin D, which kittens need.

A cat weakened by childbirth also often refuses to eat. There is no need to worry and try to feed her; as soon as postpartum stress passes, her appetite will return to normal. An additional amount of cottage cheese, kefir, and sour cream is introduced into the diet of a nursing mother. To enhance lactation, the animal needs to drink a lot of liquid, pure water or whey.

During pregnancy and childbirth, a cat spends a lot of internal reserves on bearing, giving birth and nursing kittens, so her body needs additional vitamins and minerals. Vet pharmacies offer complex medications designed specifically for pregnant and lactating cats; their use will make it easier for the owner to optimally balance the pet’s diet during a difficult period for the animal.

A kitten appeared in the house - what and how to feed it?

How to feed a sterilized cat?

A cat that doesn't get sick is susceptible to many diseases, including cancer. It is better to sterilize a pet that is not intended for breeding in order to get rid of its natural instincts. The body of a sterilized animal does not produce hormones responsible for the reproductive instinct; it painlessly tolerates the absence of mating.

Neutered cats gain weight, are lazier, calmer, and inactive. Food for sterilized cats is expensive; you need to choose premium dry food or canned food. For overweight animals, low-calorie food with minimal fat content is produced. At home, nutrition is limited by reducing portions, the number of feedings is left the same, calorie content is reduced, giving less carbohydrate foods (porridge) and fat (cream, butter).

Prohibited Products

There are a number of products that are limited or excluded from the cat's menu. Some of them contain substances that are safe for humans, but toxic for cats.

You should never give cats food from your home table. It contains a lot of salt, sugar, spices, chemical additives, preservatives, dyes, and flavors. Even if family members adhere healthy image life and eat environmentally friendly food, it is harmful to pets.

Many foods are prohibited from being given to a cat in any quantity:

1. Onions and garlic in any form cause hemolytic anemia.
2. Legumes (lentils, beans, peas, beans) are not absorbed by the body and cause fermentation.
3. Avocado - its oily structure attracts cats, but the persin contained in the vegetable is toxic to them, causing irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, vomiting, and diarrhea.
4. Rhubarb is dangerous due to oxalic acid poisoning, which can lead to kidney failure.
5. Seeds and fruit pits.
6. Mushrooms in any form lead to toxic shock.
7. Raw chicken eggs lead to a lack of vitamin B in the body, which negatively affects the condition of the skin and coat.
8. Duck, goose, pork, lard.
9. Tubular bones of rabbits and birds can damage the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
10. Yeast dough, baked goods, bread, homemade cakes, confectionery - cause flatulence and intestinal colic.
11. Dog food, especially for large breeds It is dangerous due to its high concentration of nutrients and will provoke hypervitaminosis.
12. Vitamin complexes intended for people.
13. Sausages, sausages, smoked meats, hard cheeses, breakfast cereals, chips.

There is no need to worry if your pet accidentally ate something from the prohibited list; a single use will not cause harm, but regular feeding of inappropriate food will inevitably lead to health problems and even the death of your beloved cat.2. Cut chicken, turkey, and rabbit meat into small pieces, mix with boiled vegetables and half a teaspoon of sunflower or olive oil.

3. Boil rice, mix with yolk chicken egg, boiled carrots, pieces chicken meat(raw or boiled).
4. Boil fillet of low-fat sea fish, chop, add herbs and vegetables.
5. Boil oatmeal, mix with cottage cheese (kefir, sour cream).
6. You can make small cutlets from meat and vegetables, boil them for a few minutes, and store them in the refrigerator.
7. Offal pate: boil beef lungs, liver, heart, mince, mix with boiled vegetables (carrots, cauliflower, Bell pepper). You can make a lot, divide into portions, place in the freezer. Add to hot porridge before feeding.

All dishes can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days or in the freezer, defrosting as needed. Based on the proposed recipes, you can create a menu for the week and your pet will be provided with nutrients for full development and physical activity. Fermented milk drinks given to the cat as the main meal, the animal serves as a source of liquid pure water, which should always be available to him.

Many of us have pets, including cats. Any owner has a question about what to feed the cat at home. It’s no secret that proper nutrition is the key to a pet’s health.

Natural and industrial food

All cat owners can be divided into two camps: supporters natural food and industrial rations. Each person decides for himself what to feed his cat at home. In many ways, the chosen type of food also depends on the employment of the owners. It is not always possible to prepare balanced meals for pets. But in any case, it is worth keeping in mind that cats are natural predators, and in their natural environment they catch birds and mice. Animal food forms one part of their diet. This means that for proper nutrition, about 80% of the diet should be meat products. In addition, food should contain essential vitamins, which the cat’s body cannot produce itself.

Industrial feed

When deciding what to feed a cat at home, many owners decide to use ready-made industrial food. They are now presented in a fairly large assortment on the market. And therefore it is difficult to make a choice. After all, all manufacturers claim that their food is the best. In addition, intrusive advertising and beautiful product packaging attract attention. There are also feeds for individual breeds. However, all of the above marketing moves do not reflect reality at all. You shouldn’t make a choice based on expensive commercials and beautiful boxes. All this is included in the price of the product. Unfortunately, expensive food is not always the best for your pet.

The main thing is to know that nutritional mixtures differ not only in quality, but also in properties. Therefore, when thinking about what to feed your cat at home, it is worth studying the range of food offered by stores. Although reading labels does not provide completely accurate information. After all, in the end we have to rely on the honesty of the manufacturer.

Any owner should understand that the main criterion for assessing the quality of food is the condition of the animal that consumes it. The pet must be in in great shape. Only then can we say that the food is really suitable for him.

When choosing a suitable industrial food, you should focus on the price-quality ratio. Cheap food is never of high quality, since the ingredients themselves, for example meat, are not cheap. The best sign A properly chosen diet means a healthy and cheerful pet. Since cats cannot tell us about their well-being, it is necessary to focus on their appearance, behavior, condition of fur, mood and other factors. You should always pay attention to the animal’s nose, fur, skin, eyes, gums and pet’s teeth. Because they are the indicators of cats’ health.

Feed classes

There are several classes of cat food on sale: economy, super-premium and premium.

Economy class food is, naturally, made from not very high-quality raw materials. By-products with the addition of soy and low-grade cereals are used. When feeding a pet with such food, a shortage of various amino acids and vitamins occurs in the body. And this can lead to digestive disorders, metabolic disorders, allergies and other ailments. By the way, the digestibility and nutritional value of such mixtures is quite low. Therefore, their consumption is uneconomical. Veterinarians do not recommend this diet for cats, as it can lead to various types of diseases.

Premium feed is made from higher quality raw materials. The main source of protein for an animal is meat. Therefore, such mixtures are easier to digest and at the same time provide much less undigested substances. But these foods are also undesirable for pets.

Of course, the best option among all classes is super-premium. Such nutrition is balanced and has high nutritional value and digestibility. Manufacturers claim that in the production of feed they use good quality meat. There is a fairly large assortment of mixtures, among which you need to choose the right one for your pet.

Nutritional needs of cats and kittens

When thinking about the question of how to properly feed a cat, you need to know the nutritional needs of the animal. The fact is that pets’ bodies are significantly different from ours, and therefore their diet is completely different. The animal's menu should be thoughtful and rational. Cats need food high in fat and protein. By the way, the need for protein in furry pets is twice as high as in dogs.

The diet of an adult cat should consist of 85 percent meat and offal. And herbs and vegetables should make up only 15 percent.

The diet should always contain fresh water, proteins, fats, vitamin A (present in milk, eggs), vitamin B, E and calcium.

Taurine is very important for a cat's body. This amino acid plays an important role in the life of the animal. Typically, a sufficient amount of taurine is found in dry and canned food. If you feed your cat homemade food, you need to make sure that there is no shortage of taurine. Because this can cause diseases of the retina and heart.

Pet diet

Healthy cat nutrition is not only the right products, but also a certain regime. In this sense, animals are very demanding. Power mode in at different ages, accordingly, different. How many times should I feed my cat? Of course, cats themselves are able to understand when and how much they need to eat. But sometimes a person needs to control the process.

Kittens, for example, need to be fed three to four times a day from 6 weeks to 3 months of age. And by 6 months, the number of feedings can be reduced to two times.

You can leave food for adults. Then they can eat whenever they want. But in general, they need to be fed several times a day.

There are situations when there are several cats in a family. And each of them has its own needs. In this case, it is necessary to develop a system that would allow them to feed so that they do not eat each other’s food.

Feeding kittens

How to feed a kitten correctly? After all, there are times when a newborn baby has to be fed on its own.

It is worth noting that until 1.5 months, kittens feed exclusively on mother’s milk. If the cat refuses to feed her child, then you will have to do it from a bottle or with a syringe if the baby is still weak. Pet stores sell special formulations for kittens that are as close as possible to mother's milk. They are the most balanced for babies.

Cow's milk is not suitable for kittens, since the mother's milk contains 9 times more protein than cow's milk. Therefore, they practice adding goat milk to cow's milk. Also added to the mixture egg white and heat the mass to 31-36 degrees. The baby needs to be fed every two hours. But at the same time, it is worth paying attention to the kitten’s behavior: if he meows after eating and does not fall asleep, he is probably hungry. This means that the portion should be increased. At the age of one month, babies are much easier to feed, and over time they will even learn to lap up milk on their own from a saucer. If the kitten is a little over a month old, then you can feed it only six times a day. During this period, cottage cheese and other dairy products can be introduced into the diet. And then they give you a chopped boiled egg. But after this point, the baby must have constant access to water.

Adult animals (more than six months old) do not feed as often. And they require much larger portions.

Experts say that animals need a large number of amino acids. Therefore, meat nutrition is more preferable for them than fermented milk. For cats important factor is the amount of protein in food. The more there are, the more energy and strength the pets have.

There is a stereotype that the best diet for a cat is from natural products- This is milk and fermented milk products. In fact, animals don't like milk that much. And some don't use it at all. By the way, veterinarians warn that milk causes stomach upset in pets.

Several times a week you can give some cereals (for example, rolled oats), liver, boiled eggs. All of these foods contain essential vitamin B.

Quite often, pets are interested in food that is completely unusual for them, for example, fruits, flour or sauerkraut. It is absolutely not necessary to prohibit the animal from trying such food. Most likely, the cat is simply showing interest in something new. And next time he won’t necessarily ask for this product.

The time for eating must be chosen so that the pet receives equal portions two to three times a day. You can feed your cat in the morning, during your breakfast, in the evening and, if possible, during the day.

Your pet should always have water available throughout the day.

If you calculate the amount of food, it is worth noting that adult animals should receive up to 210 grams of protein and up to 55 grams of carbohydrate supplements per day.

Mixed feeding

Natural food remains the most affordable option for feeding pets. If it meets the animal's needs, then that's just great. You should not give your pet raw meat or fish, or fatty meat products. Chicken and red lean meat - a good option. In combination with vegetables and cereals, this diet is quite acceptable. It is well tolerated by cats. Can cats have cheese or not? Sometimes you can pamper your animal with cottage cheese, kefir, or a boiled egg. But you shouldn’t make these products the basis of your diet. Practice inexorably shows that the most cost-effective is a mixed diet. During the day, you can offer your pet homemade or canned food, and give dry food at night.

Nutrition for a castrated cat

What to feed a neutered cat at home? The diet of such animals should be different, since they are prone to excess weight and urolithiasis. This is due to changes in metabolism and hormonal levels.

If the animal has undergone surgery, then immediately after it there may be no appetite. But it is worth providing your pet with constant access to water and light food. It could be meat pate, wet food, ground meat. The next day the pet can eat normally. You should not offer cats more food than they need for their weight.

When discussing with your veterinarian what to feed a neutered cat at home, you should find out exactly the full range of products. It is worth knowing that animals should not be given mixtures that are not intended for therapeutic nutrition. The prohibition is associated with sensitivity of the urinary tract. Special food has been developed for cats who have undergone surgery. They do not contain salts that provoke the appearance of stones. This means that such mixtures are not dangerous for your pet. In addition, specialized food is a kind of prevention.

If the pet already has urolithiasis disease, then a special diet should be prepared by a veterinarian based on tests.

In general, you should not overfeed your pets. It makes sense to pay attention to their desires. If the animal does not want to eat dry food, then there is no need to insist. It is necessary to offer a worthy alternative in the form of natural food.

What should you not give to cats?

Every owner is happy to give his pet what he asks for. But is it worth doing? Regular consumption of the wrong foods is bad for the health of animals. Therefore, it is worth knowing the list of foods that are undesirable for your pets:

Chocolate causes excessive work of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Alcohol provokes loss of coordination and poisoning.
Coffee makes the animal hyperactive.
Avocado causes severe poisoning.
Legumes are not digested properly, causing bloating.
Tomatoes give severe pain in the stomach and intestines.

Cats need a variety of foods. However, many of them cannot be given frequently. In large quantities, some can cause poisoning or allergies. When compiling a diet, it is worth remembering that even an adult animal has little weight, and therefore there should not be a lot of food.

Much has been said about giving cats eggs, but please note that it is recommended to give them the yolks. The fact is that the cat’s body is not able to digest egg white. In addition, you should not give raw eggs at all, so that your pet does not get sick. It is better to use them boiled. Of course, cats are not very susceptible to salmonella infection, but they can become carriers of the infection.

If you are going to feed your pet meat, but you are confused about its quality, it is better to freeze it first.

According to veterinarians, you need to be especially careful with milk and dairy products. They are the ones that cause distress in many breeds. But not everyone does. Liver is very useful for animals, but at the same time it can cause abdominal pain, so it is recommended to give it only a couple of times a week.

Nutrition of British cats

What to feed a British cat? Is his diet different from other breeds? British cats, like other cats, are predators, and therefore should not be forced to eat cereals and vegetables. The basis of the diet should be meat: liver, chicken, fish, rabbit, beef. Proper nutrition for a Brit it's a balanced meal. Don't overfeed your furry friend.

When thinking about what to feed a British cat, it is worth knowing that the diet can include: meat products, cottage cheese, cream, milk porridge, vegetables, offal, canned food according to age, yolks, fermented milk products, cheese, boiled sea fish.

Scottish cat nutrition

What to feed a Scottish cat? In general, the diet is not too different from other representatives of the cat family. The diet must include meat (chicken or beef). Liver can be given only once a week, otherwise a disorder may occur. But the Scots should not be given fish at all. As an exception, once a week you can offer lean boiled fish (hake, carp or perch). An excess of fish leads to the development of diseases in cats.

But the Scots are very fond of low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, and fermented baked milk. This treat can be offered to them several times a week. The diet should also include chicken yolk, vegetables and cereals. Semolina, rice, buckwheat and oatmeal can be mixed with meat. Vegetables should be given boiled or steamed: carrots, cauliflower. Knowing what to feed Scottish cat, it’s not at all difficult to create the right diet.

Instead of an afterword

There are several options for feeding your loved one fluffy pet. Whatever you choose, you should pay attention to ensuring that the animal receives all the necessary vitamins and substances. Disputes regarding the correctness of home and artificial nutrition have long been conducted not only between specialists, but also between people themselves. What is the best way to feed your pet? Of course, this issue is up to you to decide. Many owners are inclined to use a mixed diet because they do not have time to cook for their charges. Perhaps this is the best option, thanks to which you can achieve a balanced diet. However, it is worth remembering the animal’s personal preferences. You shouldn't force your pets to eat something they don't like. But you also shouldn’t allow the cat to eat the wrong foods, so that the cat doesn’t get sick in the future.