What to feed the sphinx
Cats are true gourmets by nature who love to eat delicious food. Such an exotic cat as the Sphynx is no exception. But the Sphynx differs from other cats in the absence of a coat. He spends more energy on thermoregulation and this should be reflected in the diet.
Let’s talk about the most important thing about feeding sphinxes.
Each pet owner has a choice: to feed with natural food or ready-made industrial feeds. Both have pluses and minuses. However, if you started to give your tailed friend a “natural”, you can not mix it with ready-made feeds and vice versa. The pet’s stomach adapts to a specific food. Diet changes can lead to indigestion.
Sphynxes do not have hair, they need a lot of energy to heat the body, so the food must be professional, suitable for this breed.
It is good if you combine wet and dry food of the same brand in the diet. Say, 2 times a day you give wet food, and leave dry food in constant access, according to the feeding rate. Do not forget about fresh clean water – it should always be in front of the cat.
It is important to observe the measure and not to overfeed the hairless comrade. Sphynxes are prone to overweight, which takes away health and brings a lot of discomfort to the pet.
Feeding guidelines for cats are indicative. The diet of the Sphynx depends on the individual characteristics and taste preferences of the cat, its age, diseases, physical condition, lifestyle. Therefore, the optimal amount of food and the frequency of feeding should only be determined in consultation with the veterinarian. He will also recommend for your cat the right lines of food, treats, vitamins and more.
The question is not as simple as it seems at first glance. There are a large number of products in pet stores, among which there are useful and not very healthy food.
Avoid economical feeds loose or packaged without being sure of the quality of their ingredients. Dyes, preservatives, flavor enhancers and other chemicals will not add health to either the Sphynx or any other purr.
In the composition of a good feed, high-quality meat will be in the first place. You will see an indication of which meat is used and in what percentage. By-products are not meat, but waste from the meat processing industry. Therefore, the inscription “offal”, “meat products” and other non-specific formulations in the composition of the feed should alert you.
Although cats gobble up cheap food with pleasure, they are not saturated with it and after half an hour they ask the owner for supplements.
There is no benefit from such nutrition, but more than harm. Eating low-quality food for several years, a pet can develop inflammatory bowel disease. And to cure all this, a considerable amount will be required. Therefore, it is better not to tempt fate, but initially feed the Sphynx with professional food of at least super premium class.
Even on expensive food, sphinxes can experience indigestion. The body can “strike” against this or that food. Problems with stools, vomiting, and a general deterioration in the cat’s well-being begin. In this case, it is important to show the Sphynx to a veterinarian as soon as possible. He examines the cat and identifies what exactly caused this reaction. It is possible that your pet is allergic to a certain ingredient in the food. Then the food will have to be replaced with hypoallergenic or monoprotein.
The change of food occurs smoothly, otherwise the body may react unpredictably. You need to gradually add new food to the old. Out of habit, the cat will eat familiar food and leave the old one in the bowl, but after a while he will taste it.
If the sphinx categorically does not perceive the new brand, try to choose another manufacturer together with the veterinarian.
In the matter of feeding the Sphynx, it is very important to be patient. Don’t worry, there are so many good foods out there now that you’re bound to find the perfect diet for your pet.
If the sphinx (and any other cat) does not eat up a significant amount of food, and drinks water reluctantly, try changing the bowls or putting them in another, more comfortable place. When choosing bowls, consider the size, it should be comfortable for the cat to drink and eat from the bowls.
Change the water every day. Sphinxes are a kind of squeamish aristocrats who will not drink old and dirty water.
The material of bowls for food and water should not absorb odors, plastic products are guilty of this. Opt for ceramic or metal bowls.
Uneaten wet food from the bowl must be removed, this is a matter of pet safety. If food is kept warm for a long time, it starts to spoil. After eating such food, the sphinx runs the risk of earning an eating disorder. For the same reason, it is better not to put wet food in plastic bowls: scratches and cracks easily form on their inner surface, where food clogs and deteriorates there.
You need to wash the plate for food after each meal of the sphinx.
The rules for feeding the sphinx must be observed by all household members and your guests. Don’t let your loved ones sneakily feed your cat illegal foods. Ask the guests about the same, carefully mentioning that the pet is on special feeding and can get sick if it eats something forbidden.
We hope that the article was useful for you. Take care of your pets and treat them responsibly, because their lives depend on it. If you have any difficulty in feeding the Sphynx, seek the advice of a veterinarian.
