To begin, let's decide what exactly is more convenient for you. Feeding cats can be of two types: ready-made feed (dry and canned) and the so-called "natural". In both the first and second options, nutrition should be balanced and healthy.
Dry-fed cats have their advantages. Firstly, it is an all-inclusive discharge. There is a full range of vitamins and minerals. But the feed should only be of high quality, class "super premium" (in extreme cases - class "premium") and with brands of manufacturers that have proven themselves positively and conduct product quality control. This is "ROYAL CANIN" (manufacturer - France), "PURINA", "IAMS", "HILS" (manufacturer - USA).
For an adult British cat, 100 g of dry food or 160 g of canned food is sufficient. And here the question arises: which of the ready-made feed is better - dry food or canned food? How to feed a british cat? Definitely hard to answer. The fact is that dry food is cheaper, stored longer, and the likelihood that a cat will form stones on its teeth is less. But canned food is digested much better. And more suitable for kittens and old cats. Here you are already determined. Just do not neglect the recommendations on the packages. Do not feed adult cats with kitten feeds and vice versa. Do not buy cat food intended for dogs. They have completely different compositions. Never mix feeds from different manufacturers (an exception can only be the transfer of a cat from one type of feed to another). Do not add anything to the finished feed, and especially vitamins. Everything you need is already there. That is why the feed is called: "balanced". Do not break this balance! Access to water should be continuous.
Now about the "natural", or about natural feed. In this case, feeding cats is significantly complicated. It is difficult to achieve a balance of vitamins and minerals and accurately calculate calories. Feeding cats with natural feed has its own rules, which begin with the exclusion of raw pork, ham, smoked meats, salted and pickled products, raw river fish, spices, sweets.
A great choice is the menu from:
- offal: kidney, heart, liver, lungs;
- vegetable oil;
- fish;
- eggs;
- Hercules;
- dairy products.
Do not forget: the nutrition of a cat should consist mainly of meat - a product containing a large amount of protein, which is so necessary for a predator for normal life. Better if it is: beef, poultry, sea fish. But fish should not be more than 15% of the total diet. Very useful: fermented baked milk, kefir, cottage cheese, cheese. You can mix cereals in food. Food should be at room temperature. If the cat has not finished eating, do not leave food in a bowl, remove food until next time. Feeding cats should be scheduled.
If the cat is overweight, set her fasting days (for example, one per week) or reduce the dosage. It is useful to add vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, potatoes), wheat bran, sprouted wheat to the diet. If the cat's diet is correctly drawn up, your pet will be in great shape, with shiny hair and always in good mood.
But pregnant cats and those who have recently become mothers require a special approach to nutrition.
Feeding cats during pregnancy in the first weeks is no different from normal. Then the dose is increased by 10-15%. The basis of the diet should be meat. In addition, you need to give dairy products, sea fish (but not much), boiled eggs. Vitamins are added. If you feed the cat with prepared feeds, then simply increase the dose by the same 10-15%.
How to feed a cat after childbirth? After all, what the mother eats is received by the children with her milk. During feeding , the cat's diet should be rich in calcium and phosphorus. Increase the amount of cottage cheese and saltwater fish. If a cat starts to get upset with dairy products, exclude them from the menu and add vitamins to the food.
But ready-made feed here is also in a winning position: no additives are required here. The feed is already balanced and contains the right amount of protein, vitamins, minerals. The only thing you should do is to follow the feeding instructions and constantly make sure that the cat has fresh water.
What food to feed the cat, of course, you decide. Disputes about the types of feeding, the stormy pros and cons will never subside. Several generations of our animals have grown on ready-made dry feeds and feel great: they are healthy, energetic, well-fed. But the same results are observed among breeders who, contrary to progress, prefer "natural". Do not rush to be determined. Consult with veterinarians, with breeders. Let them share their knowledge and experience with you. They always have something to tell. Your task is to listen and draw conclusions.