Feeding Guidelines - Know Some Important Facts

BIRTH AND WEANING

Cats are loved as pets in most households. Everybody wants a healthy pet - if you too want a healthy pet, you need to take care. Kittens are just about 100 grams in weight at birth. They gain 50 to 100 gram each week until they're five to six months. The cat weans its kittens when they are 7 and 10 weeks. At the time of weaning, you can introduce dry commercial cat food to the kittens.

Types Of Cat Foods

There are three types of cat food available in market:-

• Canned form
• Dry form
• Semi-moist form

Veterinarians recommend the dry form because it is cheap. Also, such food minimizes tartar build-up. However, canned and semi-moist form are more palatable. But they must be stored in refrigerator once the lid is opened.

Balanced Diet And Number Of Meals

While buying cat food; look for a complete and balanced diet on the label. You must check for the label of Association of American Feed Control Officials before buying any cat food. This label ensures that the food has been tested on kittens and cats. Cats should have 12-20 small meals everyday. In addition, they should have fresh supply of clean water with each meal. The place of feeding could be anywhere as per the feeding guidelines - kitchen, bedroom, a small corner, etc.

Adjustments For Growing Cats

After the young cat is six to nine months, the owner should shift it from free-choice to portion controlled feeding. The caloric needs of a cat decline as the body weight increases. A kitten should have an hourglass shape when seen aerially or from above. The ribs shouldn't be seen, but felt. If you can see them, your kitten is thin, increase her nutrient intake. If they can't be felt and flesh covers it, reduce the caloric intake to avoid obesity and other health problems.

Treats And Dog Food

Feed treats or snacks for cats are appropriate only when rewarding the pet during training, but the quantity should be less. Also, as per feeding guidelines, you should not give any dog food to cats as cats require higher protein intake than dogs. Beta amino acid taurine and amino acid arginine are animal proteins that should be provided to cats. For these proteins, vegetarian foods are not a suitable substitute. These amino acids are required for the healthy functioning of the liver of the cats. Animal source fats like arachidonic acid are also required. So, dog vegetarian foods won't work either.

Overall, you need to take care of the kitten; and follow strict feeding guidelines for her to be fit and healthy as she grow into a cat.