|
 
Feeding principles
-
Cats are true carnivores and require almost twice as much protein in their diet as dogs.
-
The best source of this is from animal products; 30 to 40 percent of the cat’s diet should be animal-type proteins (meat, meat by-products, fish, eggs, and milk).
-
About 10 percent of the diet should consist of fat; fat provides calories and the essential fatty acids.
-
A cat should be fed using one of the many commercial cat foods. If feeding fresh foods, it is important to provide a variety.
-
Strictly feeding meat, chicken, fish, and other muscle meats may cause bone disease, stunted growth in kittens, poor eyesight, and other problems due to the lack of calcium, and vitamin A.
- Calcium can be supplemented by adding sterilized bone flour, calcium phosphate, calcium lactate, or calcium carbonate.
- When feeding meat, it is important that all of the bone has been removed or chopped to prevent pieces of bone from becoming lodged in the throat or digestive system. Cats should never be given chicken bones.
-
Canned foods contain more animal protein than the other commercial rations, have a higher fat content that makes them more palatable, and contain about 75 % water.
-
Because of the high water content, cats may not drink as much water, but water should be available at all times.
-
Labels should be checked because some of the commercial rations may be nutritionally incomplete.
-
Fresh and canned foods should not be fed straight from the refrigerator; these foods should be allowed to warm to room temperature before being served.
-
Too much liver can cause vitamin A poisoning. Milk is a good source of calcium, but it may cause gas and diarrhoea in adult cats.
-
Feeding too much of some oily fish such as tuna may through oxidation destroy vitamin E and lead to a deficiency called steatitis or yellow fat disease.
-
Raw egg white contains a substance that destroys the B Vitamin biotin, but egg yolk and cooked egg white provide valuable protein, fat, and vitamins.
Semi-moist foods
-
Semi-moist foods are usually less expensive because they contain some vegetable protein and are usually supplemented with nutrients to make them nutritionally complete.
-
Semi-moist foods have chemicals added to keep them from drying out or spoiling; they contain about 30 percent water.
-
Again, labels should be checked carefully because some of the semi-moist foods may not be nutritionally complete, especially for growing kittens.
 
Dry foods
-
Dry foods contain about 10 percent water and less fat and protein than semi-moist foods. Cats on dry diets should have plenty of water available.
-
Some cats on dry diets may develop bladder problems.
-
Milk, water, or gravy can be mixed with the food to improve palatability and to ensure that the cat gets adequate water intake.
-
One may wish to feed canned foods occasionally to help prevent bladder problems, get the cat used to different types and textures of foods, and ensure that the cat gets a balanced diet.
-
Dry foods do have the advantage of helping to clean the teeth and prevent the buildup of tartar.
 
Amount of food
-
The amount of food one gives depends on the cat’s age, weight, breed, condition, and amount of activity it gets.
-
Cats and young kittens will not consume enough food in one meal to last 24 hours
-
Two meals are recommended, and young kittens and females that are pregnant or nursing require more frequent feedings.
-
Cats should never be given a diet of dog food because it contains large amounts of cereals and vegetables.
-
Because of this, the cat may not get enough animal protein.
-
Dog food also lacks necessary amounts of vitamins A and B and some essential fatty acids.
-
Many times cats will be seen eating grass.
-
The exact reason for this is not known, but it may be an attempt to increase roughage in the diet or to eliminate a hairball.
|
Participants