How many times a day should kittens and cats be fed: is it possible to give only dry food

The issue of feeding cats must be considered with particular care. Many owners of these purring creatures do not pay enough attention to this issue, which leads to unwanted problems. In order to maintain the health of a cat at the proper level, it is necessary to adhere to strict recommendations for their maintenance.

How many times a day should you feed your cat?

In order to correctly calculate the frequency of feeding a cat, several factors must be taken into account. It depends on the age and the environment in which it lives. Also, the fact of the presence of castration of the animal plays an important role in the frequency of feeding.

If an animal lives in a city apartmenthe has to be alone all day. Therefore, the owners can only give food twice a day. For a cat, such a schedule is quite acceptable. But if it is possible to feed the animal 3 times a day, then this will be ideal. In this case, you need to pour a little food so that the animal does not overeat.

In some cases, an animal living in the city may be periodically released into the street. This is a very big plus, because then the cat has the opportunity to run a little, climb trees, and just get some fresh air. In this case, her appetite increases significantly. If the amount of feed can be increased slightly, then the frequency should not be. Also, between meals, it is advisable not to give the animal something to eat. Necessary monitor your cat’s daily routine, because it becomes her habit, and then she herself will ask for food at the same time.

In private homes, where cats have the opportunity to freely go outside, it is extremely difficult to monitor their feeding. After all, thanks to their instinct of the hunter, they will not pass by the opportunity eat a mouse or a bird. In this case, the pet itself will ask to eat when it wants. You can pour some dry food into the bowl, which will not deteriorate if the animal refuses to eat.

Feeding frequency for kittens

Before you get a kitten, you need to inform yourself about the frequency of feeding. After all, kittens need to be fed more often than adult cats. At the age of 10 weeks, the animal is fed up to 5 times a day. And the amount of food per day should not exceed 150 grams. At 4 months of age, feeding should be reduced to four meals, and at 5 months – to three. A six-month-old kitten can already be fed 3 times a day, and after a month the frequency is the same as in adults.

Feeding frequency of neutered or neutered cats

Do not forget that a castrated or sterilized cat leads a more passive lifestyle, but at the same time wants to eat more. Thus, very often she subsequently becomes obese. To avoid this, it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian, who, depending on the characteristics of the animal’s body, will give useful recommendations. For yourself, remember that you need to pour a little feedand feed strictly 2 times a day. You should not accustom to snacking during the day, so that the cat does not develop a bad habit.

How often to feed a cat when she is pregnant?

A cat that is expecting offspring needs more frequent food intake. She needs to be fed 3 times a day. And here the option will not pass, in which it is possible to skip one of the meals.

Nutrition should be more balanced. Even if the cat lives in a country house and she has the opportunity to freely go hunting, then you should not hope for it. After all, the state of health, especially in the last month, may be worse than in the usual state, therefore it is extremely necessary to monitor her nutrition.

Need for water

Do you make sure your cat has enough fluids? Many pet owners forget about the special need for water. This is a very important factor that should not be neglected. If the animal consumes dry food, then without water it can have serious complications.. Indeed, such feed does not contain liquid, as in traditional food, therefore, without water, the animal is waiting for a complete lack of water intake into the body.

Water must be poured into a bowl separate from food. The liquid must be clean, at room temperature. During the day, it is necessary to monitor the decrease in the liquid in the plate and gradually add fresh.

Feeding cats with traditional food

It must always be remembered that the nutrition of the animal must be balanced. A cat’s body must receive enough nutrients and vitamins to maintain its health.

Food should not be given from the master’s table, because a cat is a predator, and it must have appropriate food.

Suitable food for cat food:

• In the first place is protein food. A cat, like a predator, really needs to eat meat. It shouldn’t be very oily. It could be chicken or beef. Do not give the animal fat and skins. It is difficult for a cat’s body to cope with such fats, which leads to health problems. Also, bones should not be given as food, with which the animal can easily choke.
• Shouldn’t be ignored vegetable consumption. They must be varied. It can be carrots, cabbage, zucchini, eggplant or asparagus.
• For good bowel function, it is important for the animal to give various cereals. It can be oatmeal, wheat or pearl barley. After all, they cleanse the body of the animal well, which is very important for maintaining health.
• Also for the intestines useful vegetable oil. But in order for the cat to use it, you can add one tablespoon to the porridge.
• Dairy products. You can give cats low-fat foods a couple of times a week – fermented baked milk or kefir. It is not recommended to give sweet yogurt, because sugar is harmful to the cat. It is also strictly forbidden for adults to give milk, which leads to diarrhea. But kittens up to six months of age need it, but only at room temperature.

It should be remembered that when a cat consumes all the products from the above list, her body will still lack all the necessary vitamins. You can buy this at any pet store. special vitamin complexes. They are a tablet-sized vitamin that contains glucosamine, arginine, or arachidonic acid. You can also consult with a consultant about the different types of vitamin complexes in order to choose the most suitable for your cat.

Can a cat only eat dry food?

Ready-made feeds have one small advantage over natural nutrition – this is the content of all the necessary vitamins and minerals in them. Feed of this type does not require special conditions for their storage and makes it possible feed the cat quickly. You should not be afraid that they can harm your pet, because you can feed them, but you must remember the following rules.

1. The need for more waterthan with a traditional diet. As mentioned above, dry food contains little to no water, which can cause stool problems in the animal.
2. Supplemental fat intake is important. Dry food contains little vegetable fats, which are important for the digestive tract. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to give them a piece of bread soaked in oil.
3. Watch for changes in the appearance of the cat when feeding dry food. In some cases, with this diet, cats develop allergies due to the content of various chemicals in the feed.
4. Purchase only high-quality certified food. It contains most of the necessary substances for the pet’s body, while cheap analogues include a large number of substitutes.

Summing up, we can say that the choice of how to feed your four-legged friend depends on you, your lifestyle and habits. If the owner is interested in the health of his pet and has enough free time, then natural food and a balanced diet will be the best solution, and if it is important for you to save your personal time, then you should stop at dry food. But it is always important to understand that no matter what high-quality dry food containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals, natural food is still much more beneficial for the cat’s body.