Many owners castrate their cats. It has already been proven that sterilized pets live several years longer. In addition, castrated cats are less susceptible to some ailments, more oriented to the owner and calm. But not all owners know that after the operation, their pets need special nutrition. How to properly feed a sterilized cat, we will tell in this article.
At what age can a cat be sterilized?
The most favorable age for castration is considered 6-7 months. At this moment, the cat has already grown enough, but has not yet begun to mark the territory. In many European countries, veterinarians recommend early castration, aged 3-4 months. It is believed that young cats tolerate surgery much easier. Some Russian breeders also recommend early castration.
Of course, the procedure can be performed at almost any age. Often, animals that are already 6-8 years old are brought to the veterinarian. But it should be noted that older cats are harder to move away from anesthesia, they often have complications. These animals already have well-formed habits, so they often continue to tag after sterilization. The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia and takes no more than 20-30 minutes. How to feed a sterilized cat so that there are no diseases? The doctor will give a consultation on nutrition after the operation.
Changes to the pet after sterilization
Many owners note that the cat has become more calm and affectionate. If the pet has already started marking the territory, then after sterilization, undesirable behavior usually changes. Cats also stop looking for a passion for themselves, do not wake the owners with night shouts and begin to relate to other representatives of their kind more calmly.
But sterilization is not just a means of correcting behavior and reducing the risk of certain unpleasant diseases, it is an intervention in the hormonal background of the animal. Therefore, after surgery, the cat may slow down the metabolism, which will lead to obesity. But the owner can help the pet if he plays more with him and picks up a balanced diet for the pet. How to feed a sterilized cat and cat? Before choosing a diet, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian, otherwise you can harm the health of the pet.
Urolithiasis disease
It is generally accepted in society that this ailment affects mainly sterilized cats. This is not so, full-fledged individuals suffer from urolithiasis no less often than castrates. It is also noted that it is the males who are more prone to the disease.
Urolithiasis occurs due to the appearance of sand and salt formations in the urogenital system of the cat. At risk are animals aged from one year to six years. The main cause of the ailment is improper feeding. How to feed a sterilized cat at home? Veterinarians recommend a specialized feed containing ingredients for the prevention of urolithiasis.
Feeding animals after surgery
Usually cats tolerate sterilization well, complications after this procedure are extremely rare. After the animal moves away from anesthesia, you need to offer him a drink. The liquid should be at room temperature, in no case icy. If the cat refused water, then do not pour it by force, the pet may choke. On the day of surgery, the pet is still weak, most likely, it will lie all day.
8-10 hours after surgery, you can offer the cat to eat. If he refuses, then he should not insist. How to feed a sterilized cat immediately after surgery? The food should be light and the portion small. If the cat is on natural nutrition, then you can start with chicken stock. Do not give your pet junk food, such as meat. If the animal eats dry food, then for several days it is advisable to transfer it to special canned food for animals after surgery. A healthy diet will help the pet recover quickly, and he will soon recover. After 3-5 days, the cat can be transferred to a diet for sterilized animals.
Natural nutrition for animals
Veterinarians recommend transferring castrated cats to special feeds, as owners may not always choose the right products for the correct pet diet. Cases when the owners give the pet what they eat themselves are not rare. They do not know that many products from the human table are harmful to the pet. They can even lead to severe chronic diseases.
Therefore, if the owner loves his cat, then he must cook him separately. It is simple, does not take a lot of time. How to feed a sterilized cat from homemade food? The basis of the diet is lean meat. You can buy pet beef, rabbit meat, horse meat, turkey meat. If the cat is not allergic to chicken, then you can also offer him a breast. Useful for animals and high-quality dairy products: fermented baked milk, kefir, unsweetened yogurt.
If the cat loves fruit, then sometimes you can treat it to a piece of apple. Every day for meat you need to offer a vegetable side dish of squash, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots. Also in the bowl you can add a small amount of porridge - buckwheat or rice. Since the owner will not be able to fully balance natural nutrition with minerals and microelements without special knowledge, he will need to purchase vitamins for cats. They can be bought at a pet store or veterinary pharmacy.
Ready-made feed
Often after sterilization, the owners transfer their pets to dry food. If you choose the right food, then the risk of developing dangerous ailments in the cat will be minimal. This is due to the fact that in industrial diets for castrates everything is already balanced, and there are also ingredients that impede the development of urolithiasis. Translates the animal from natural nutrition to dry need gradually. You need to gradually add new food to the old one, daily increasing the dose. Usually a translation takes one to two weeks. To facilitate the transition, prebiotics can be added to the animal food.
How to feed a sterilized cat? Now there are a large number of dry diets that can be transferred to a pet after castration. One of the most popular is Royal Canin. This food is in any pet store. Cats are inexpensive and popular with cats, but veterinarians think there are too many grain ingredients in it.
Now Canadian Fest Choyce feed is becoming increasingly popular. He is not as popular as Royal Canin, but has a more balanced composition. It has ingredients that enhance the functioning of the immune system. "Fest Chois" is well suited for domestic cats and cats with a low level of activity.
Feeding a pet with urolithiasis
If the cat fell ill before sterilization, and he was prescribed a diet, then the food can not be changed. It is very important to monitor what kind of water the pet drinks. Veterinarians recommend filtered or bottled fluids. If a cat drinks hard water from a faucet, then he has an increased risk of recurrence of urolithiasis. If the condition of the pet worsens, it is recommended to take it to the clinic.
If urolithiasis began in the cat after sterilization, then, in addition to drugs for treatment, the doctor will prescribe a veterinary diet. These are special ready-made diets that will help your pet recover. How to feed a sterilized cat with urolithiasis? Doctors recommend veterinary diets from Hills.
Features of feeding after sterilization
The cat needs 24-hour access to warm, fresh water. If the pet drinks little, it will increase the risk of urolithiasis. It is advisable to lower the total calorie content of the diet, as the animal's nutrient requirements after castration have decreased. How to feed a sterilized cat? Either a dry industrial diet for castrates, or a low-calorie balanced natural food.
Be sure to feed the cat on a schedule, for example, in the morning and evening. If the pet has not eaten the entire portion, then remove it until the next time. Do not spoil your pet too much with treats, they can lead to weight gain. Follow the work of his gastrointestinal tract, if constipation occurs, consult a veterinarian for help.
Features of feeding castrated british cats
Some breeds are more prone to developing urolithiasis or the appearance of excess weight. Obesity is especially dangerous for cats of the British or Scottish breeds. Calm from nature and sedentary animals are able to gain such weight that they begin to move with difficulty. In addition, the British are real gourmets, they will never miss the opportunity to beg for something tasty from the owner. Owners feel sorry for the pets and overfeed them.
How to feed a sterilized British cat? Veterinarians recommend giving preference to low-calorie foods. Both rations for castrates and therapeutic diet food for obese animals are suitable. It is also advisable to devote at least 10-20 minutes a day to active games with the pet.
What should not be given to cats?
Some owners feed cats from the general table, not realizing that they cause irreparable harm to their health. Many products simply cannot be given to animals. How to feed a sterilized cat? Either a special dry food, or a balanced natural food.
The list of prohibited products:
- semi-finished products;
- sweets, cookies, cakes;
- roast;
- salty;
- smoked meats.
Also, veterinarians do not recommend giving sterilized pets fish. It is believed that seafood can contribute to the development of urolithiasis in animals. Any flour products, such as bread, pies, tortillas, are forbidden. These products lead to weight gain in cats.
Veterinarian's advice
It is not recommended to choose a diet for your pet yourself, especially if he has health problems. How to feed a sterilized cat? It is better to choose a diet for a pet in the clinic. The doctor will take into account all the features of the animal and recommend the best food option.
After sterilizing a cat, it is very important to increase its motor activity. You can play outdoor games with your pet, or walk him on a harness. You can also take another pet to the house, the animals will spend time more actively together.