What to feed lop-eared kittens. Nutrition fold and straight Scottish kitten or cat

The breed, originally from Scotland, conquers an increasing number of people. Cute appearance and good character encourage many to get this furry miracle. However, the first thing you should be familiar with is information on how to choose the right food for a Scottish Straight kitten.

What feeding is contraindicated

It’s worth starting with how a straight-eared baby should not eat in any case:

• Excessively - this, by the way, is the most common mistake of the owners of small Scots. For some reason, it seems that a growing organism needs as much food as possible. Meanwhile, the kitten often simply does not know the measure, eating much more than the norm, if it is not controlled. By the way, an adult cat is sometimes also prone to overeating and its diet should be controlled.
• Smoked, salty, fried, spicy food is not only undesirable, but strictly prohibited. Any similar food from the table, which seems very tasty to a person, can harm the kitten. And given that the development of small Scottish cats begins in the womb, it is also extremely important to protect a pregnant cat from such food. And in principle, even an adult representative of the cat family will not benefit from such food.
• Bones - no way! They can hurt.
• Expired food - it is undesirable even for an adult cat, and even more so it will harm the delicate stomach of the younger generation. Even food that has recently begun to spoil should be discarded.
• Unprocessed meat - it should be completely excluded from the diet. If an adult cat eats a raw piece of meat with pleasure and without negative consequences, the kitten will get indigestion.
• Fatty meat - just like raw meat, is accepted by the cat's stomach without gratitude.
• Cream, sour cream - possible, but undesirable. The fact is that the listed products, according to some experts, are too heavy for the cat's liver.

How to feed very small straights

Until the little Scot is 2.5-3 months old, he must not be separated from his mother. This is because mother's milk during this period of time is the most important food. However, anything happens, and sometimes the crumbs are left without a mother for a month, and even earlier. Or mother's milk is not enough. In such cases, the owner will have to organize the nutrition of the baby himself. How to do it? By following the instructions below:

• Scottish Straight kitten food at this time may consist of milk formula for human babies. You can read about how to properly dilute the mixture on its packaging.
• As for the frequency of feeding, it is recommended that when caring for a small kitten, adhere to a certain frequency. So in the first three weeks, the straight should eat literally every 2 hours. Then the interval between feedings can be slightly increased, and as a result, a monthly Scottish pet eats from 3 to 6 times a day.
• Before the cat reaches 3 months of age, it should not be given ready-made dry or even natural food. A gradual transition to types of nutrition other than mixtures should be carried out exclusively from 2.5-3 months.

The main nuances of feeding

Now let's talk about how, ideally, a small scottish is fed from 3 to 12 months, about the main nuances:

• If the owner of a fluffy ball decides to opt for dry food, he must consider the correct way to present it. So, top dressing should be carried out by pre-wetting the crackers in milk, yogurt, or at least water.
• It is preferable to ask the breeder in advance about the menu he has compiled. At first, it is highly desirable to adhere to this menu when compiling the diet of a fluffy newcomer. Otherwise, an unexpected abrupt change in diet will most likely lead to indigestion.
• The consistency of food should be such that it is convenient for the baby to take it. That is, porridge should be given not coolly cooked, which adults are sometimes served with, but liquid. And the thinner the porridge, the better.
• A healthy diet must include vitamins. Ready-made food already contains them in a sufficient proportion. But fans of natural feeding will have to think about how to further balance the pet's food. For this purpose, there are special vitamin kits. However, it is the veterinarian who should choose such a set, since it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the animal.
• Regardless of which complex the doctor prescribes, it is advisable to give kittens fish oil. This fat is extremely useful for the younger generation in that it is a source of vitamin A and D.
• Let's talk about water next. Probably everyone has heard about the fact that it needs to be changed daily. But some breeders agree that it is preferable to change it twice a day.
• The fact that it is preferable to choose between natural and ready-made feeds has also been heard by many. But the fact that you can combine both dry and wet food of the same brand in the menu is probably not known to everyone. Meanwhile, sticking to one specific manufacturer is highly desirable.
• If you're testing something new or making a transition, it's a good idea to start small. Intolerance of an individual nature has not been canceled, and a pet may simply not like a new food. Experts advise introducing new components to the menu gradually, starting with a proportion of 30% of the total amount of food.
• At first, the baby will stubbornly not understand that solid food should be eaten. But do not be afraid if the kitten plays with the pieces. This is normal - he should get used to it soon.
• As soon as the kitten is 5 months old, the frequency of feeding should be set within 5 times a day, at 9 months it is enough to feed 4 times already. By the year, the straight is ideally accustomed to the adult regimen, that is, to eating 2-3 times a day.

Natural food for Scottish Straight kittens

Let's talk about natural food, which is preferred by most owners. So, what can you give a Scottish kitten?

• Meat for a kitten, as well as for an adult, is extremely important. Breeders insist that meat should be present in the diet every day. But, of course, it must undergo preliminary processing, that is, be boiled or at least scalded. If the owner prefers freezing, then he must freeze the meat for at least 3-5 days. Dosage - about 30-40 g at a time. Pieces, of course, must be carefully crushed. As mentioned earlier, the product should be lean, that is, beef, turkey, chicken are great.
• Offal suitable beef or chicken is the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys. Especially useful is the liver, which contains a lot of trace elements and vitamins. However, breeders emphasize that, despite all the benefits of this product, it should not be given more than once a week. Otherwise, problems with the baby's stomach cannot be avoided.
• But with the fish you need to be careful. The fact that it is good for kittens to give such food is both true and myth. Yes, it is a protein, but it is absorbed quickly, which can lead to kidney problems. Ideally, you can treat your pet to such food about once a week. Varieties need low-fat - hake, carp, perch. And, of course, it is important for kids to pre-boil the fish.
• Dairy products also belong to the category of myths. Yes, milk is generally healthy, but it can only be given to kittens up to 3 months old. What many, unfortunately, do not know. If the owner feeds the baby himself, then until the indicated age he can still give boiled milk, but later on milk should be weaned. Otherwise, intestinal upset becomes a frequent companion of the Scottish. The way out of the situation is to honor your pets with sour cream, kefir, cottage cheese. It is preferable that products contain a small percentage of fat. Cottage cheese and kefir can be picked up by those that are often fed to human children. By the way, a pregnant cat should also consume such cottage cheese.
• Vegetables are very healthy for kids. Except for potatoes. Three times a week, you can grind raw vegetables on a fine grater or puree boiled vegetables. Pumpkin is especially useful - it is a good remedy for worms.
• From cereals, you should choose oatmeal or buckwheat. You can cook them in milk or water. And together with meat broth and vegetables, you get a great dish!

Special prepared food: what to prefer

The most important rule in this case is that the food must be “premium”. Although such food is more expensive, it certainly will not harm and will benefit. As for the consistency, breeders especially like to feed their little wards with mousse - it is most convenient to eat it.

Feed for babies must necessarily be calculated for their age, since granules for adult animals are larger and, as a result, uncomfortable. As for brands, you should pay attention to the following:

• "Hills" - contains an excellent balance of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium. It has a therapeutic line of feeds, but you should first consult with your veterinarian about the advisability of using them.
• "Royal Canin" - contains enough fiber and an acceptable dosage of fast-digesting proteins. Contributes to the creation of an optimal balance of intestinal flora, normalization of the animal's stool.
• "Innova EVO" - enjoys the location of experienced breeders due to the composition of fresh meat and vegetables, oils, minerals, vitamins. Fats and oils have a good effect on the immunity of kittens, and the absence of harmful impurities and even flavor and odor enhancers serve as a guarantee of high quality food.
• "Matisse" - most of the composition is occupied by chicken meat and fat, rice, fish, eggs. In addition, the food contains a whole complex of vitamins and calcium.

Scottish is a breed that attracts with its beauty and dignity. However, for all this, only a good pedigree is not enough - care is also of no small importance. But there is nothing difficult in the matter of proper feeding, if you deal with it in advance, and not improvise on the go.

What to feed a Scottish fold cat (Scottish Fold)? Unfortunately, not all owners of these cats think about it, believing that such an unpretentious animal can be fed as much as necessary. And such confidence ends sadly - with health problems and visits to the veterinarian.

Scottish folds are famous for their good health, but to maintain it, proper, balanced and selected nutrition is necessary for this breed.

How to feed a Scottish Fold cat?

There are three main ways to feed:

1. Natural food.
2. Natural raw food. They consist of pieces of natural raw meat, as well as vegetables, offal, egg yolks, omega-3, taurine and vitamins and are healthy nutrition for an active and long life of cats. These feeds are not subjected to heat treatment, are stored and delivered frozen. On the Russian market, this type of feed is represented by the company.
3. Dry or canned food.

Mixing natural food and ready-made food is not worth it: the stomach of these cats hardly adapts to the constant change of food. Choose one option and stick to it, changing your diet or manufacturer as little as possible.

In feeding - a fairly unpretentious breed, it does not require pickles.

The debate about what kind of food is better to feed the Scottish Fold cat has been going on for decades, but veterinarians have not been able to come to a consensus. Many experts advise choosing exclusively ready-made food for pedigreed cats, since they include all the substances necessary for the animal. And a balanced branded food, of course, will contain much more substances the cat needs than scraps from the owners' table. Indeed, there are many arguments in favor of packaged food:

• Their use does not require additional feeding with vitamins.
• A jar of canned food or a bag of food can reduce the time it takes to prepare food for a pet by several times.
• It reduces to zero the risk that the animal, due to carelessness or negligence of the owner, will receive something tasty, but harmful.

You can buy ready-made food for your cat at the best price in the following online stores:

Despite all the advantages of ready-made feeds, natural products effectively supply the cat with essential trace elements and vitamins. After all, genetically any cat is a predator, and its digestive system is ideally suited for processing natural food - primarily meat.

Feeding a Scottish Fold cat with human food (prepared for people) is not worth it. Some of the foods that are perfectly digested by us can be harmful to the health of the animal. And, more importantly, animals need a completely different combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for a healthy life than humans.

If you decide to feed your pet with natural products, then make sure that the diet is based on the physiology of the animal, and not formed from the food left after your hearty lunch or dinner.

Feeding with natural food

On how to properly feed a Scottish Fold cat, it is better to consult an experienced veterinarian. The health of animals depends largely on the amount of nutrients they receive with food.

1. At least half of all food should be meat.
2. Vegetables are required - an average of 20 - 25%.
3. And a third of the entire diet should be filled with cereals.

For a full life, a Scottish Fold cat should receive per day per 1 kg of weight:

• 4 grams of proteins.
• 2 grams of fat.
• 12 - 15 grams of carbohydrates.

The volume of a single serving is also better calculated depending on the weight of the animal. This breed has a tendency to become obese, so owners will have to make sure that their pet does not overeat. That is, a cat weighing 5 kg should eat about 100 grams of food in one sitting, no more. And the daily portion for him will be about 200 - 250 grams.

What foods can be given to the Scots?

Food that can be fed to a Scottish Fold cat should be without the addition of salt or any spices. Any seasonings are contraindicated for cats.

• One of the most important components of the diet is meat. The main requirement for it: not too high fat content. Ideal for this breed of chicken, turkey, beef and veal. But pork and lamb should not be given in any case.
• 2 times a month you can pamper your pet with boiled (but not raw and not fried) fish. More often not worth it: this product creates an excessive load on the cat's liver. Please note that only sea fish, and exclusively low-fat varieties, are suitable for feeding the Scottish Fold.

Important! Before feeding a Scottish fold with fish, make sure that there are no bones left in its pulp, even small ones: otherwise the cat may choke or scratch the delicate tissues of the mouth with a sharp end.

• Porridges are vital for cats: rice, buckwheat or barley groats. It is best to mix cereals with meat and vegetables: add 1 share of other products to 2 shares of porridge.
• These cats digest oatmeal quite poorly, and it is better to give it only during indigestion: at these moments it really benefits and helps to speed up recovery. Also note that rice in large quantities can cause constipation.
• In no case do not give cereals with a high protein content: peas, beans, lentils. Many cats love these foods, but the result is bloating and painful colic.
• All cats love dairy products. But Scottish folds are contraindicated in pure cow's milk, as well as fermented milk products with a high fat content (for example, cream). It is best to give kefir, fermented baked milk and low-fat sour cream.
• But vegetables can be given any, except for tomatoes, eggplant, garlic and onions.
• Add a little boiled, finely chopped egg to your pet's food (no more than 1 per day). Quail is best suited to help maintain immunity, but, in extreme cases, chicken can also be given.

Scottish folds should not be fed cold or too hot food. All food should be slightly warmer than room temperature.

Food for pregnant and lactating cats

But what to feed a lactating Scottish Fold cat? In general, the diet for recently born lop-eared beauties does not change much. However, it is worth adding a spoonful of bone meal to a single serving, and pouring a few drops of fish oil on food once a week. Do not forget about vitamins: during this period, animals need additional support with microelements.

Be sure to increase the proportion of dairy products. And, of course, the volume: for a mother cat, it grows 3 or even 4 times, because she has to feed not only herself, but also her kittens. In order not to be mistaken, give your pet food on demand.

However, there is an easier way to provide the Scottish Fold with good nutrition: temporarily transfer the cat to high-quality ready-made food for pregnant and lactating cats.

The feeding of Scottish kittens differs from the diet of their outbred counterparts, since the breed appeared as a result of a gene mutation, and this suggests some peculiarities in the animal's diet. The range of cat food is varied, so it's easy to get confused. Only high-quality balanced nutrition can provide a thoroughbred kitten with everything necessary for normal growth and development.

A lop-eared kitten that you acquired at the age of 2 months (it is not worth weaning it before) should be transferred from mother's milk to a more varied diet. To avoid possible digestive problems, it is advisable at first to feed the pet with the same food that was given to him at his previous place of residence. It can be as specialized food for kittens, as well as canned food or oatmeal with lean parts of boiled chicken.

Feeding a Scottish kitten with natural food

This food option is quite laborious, since it will take some time to prepare it. The diet of Scottish Fold kittens should consist of the following products:

1. Boiled poultry meat. For cooking a small pet, it is advisable to use chicken breast.
2. Frozen beef. This product should be given raw to kittens every other day for 30-40 g.
3. Lean fish. It should be in the pet's diet in boiled form no more than once a week.
4. Boiled liver. This product should also be given to the pet no more than once a week, since more frequent eating of the liver will lead to an upset of the digestive system of the little Scot.
5. Chicken egg yolk. It can be added to the main meal (boiled) or served neat 2 times a week.
6. Low-fat cottage cheese. This product is necessary for the normal development of the kitten, so cottage cheese should be given at least 2-3 times a week. If the pet is reluctant to eat cottage cheese, it can be replaced with sour cream, fermented baked milk or kefir with a low fat content.
7. It is recommended to give boiled milk and milk porridges to kittens up to 5 months.
8. Kashi. Several times a week, a small Scottish fold should eat a small portion of oatmeal, rice or buckwheat porridge mixed with boiled fish or meat.
9. Vegetables. Grated boiled carrots and cauliflower with the addition of boiled meat or fish without bones must be included in the diet of a thoroughbred pet.

When feeding kittens with natural food, it is necessary to ensure that minerals and vitamins enter the pet's body, and for this it is necessary to give appropriate supplements.

Ready feed

The advantages of this type of food are the convenience of feeding and excellent taste. Pets are happy to eat the contents of packages and jars. But ready-made feeds also have negative sides, and above all, this is a large number of fakes that do not always correspond to the declared quality, besides, not all sellers comply with the conditions for storing feeds, which can affect the health of the pet. Of all the existing ready-made foods for kittens, veterinarians and experienced breeders advise:

1. Royal Canin. Straight kittens up to 6 months old should be given Royal Canin Babycat Instinctive in the form of canned mousse and gradually accustomed to Royal Canin Kitten Instinctive 12 dry food. When the kitten is 6 months old, he can be given Royal Canin Kitten 34 - these are small pieces in gravy that the pet absorbs with pleasure, and dry food Royal Canin Kitten 36. These foods are required to be given to a pet up to 1 year old. Dry food for Scottish Fold kittens after opening the package should be stored in hermetically sealed bags, and canned food after opening a jar or bag must be transferred to a glass container with subsequent storage in the refrigerator.
2. Innova EVO. These ready-made foods contain a small amount of carbohydrates, so that the Scottish kitten will not gain excess weight, even if he overeats this brand of food. Dry food Innova EVO is enriched with calcium and contains only natural ingredients: chicken or turkey meat, fruits and vegetables.
3. ORIJEN CAT and KITTEN. There are also no preservatives in the ready-made food of this brand, but there are amino acids necessary for the pet, so this type of food is great for feeding Scottish Straight and Fold kittens.
4. Purina Pro Plan Dental Plus. The nutrition is designed for Scottish kittens and helps to keep the pet's oral cavity in good condition. The manufacturers of this dry food claim that after transferring a pet to this brand of food, dental deposits in cats can be reduced by almost 50%.
5. hills. Ready-made feeds from this manufacturer contain a large amount of carbohydrates, so if the pet has gained excess weight, it should not be given. But it is perfect for feeding animals that are in good shape, as Hills feed has a balanced content of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Combined feeding is a type of nutrition in which the kitten is given not only ready-made food, but also something from natural food. Usually dry food is used as the main pet food, and natural products are used as bait several times a day.

Rules for feeding Scottish kittens:

It is necessary to feed Scottish kittens aged 2 to 5 months 3 times a day, and after 6 months the animal can be transferred to two meals a day. Eliminate the possibility of feeding your pet from your table. If for an ordinary yard cat such food will be perceived as a treat, then for a Scottish kitten eating food from a person’s table can have negative consequences.

Prohibited Products

In no case do not give your pet bones, smoked meats, fatty, salty and spicy foods, as they are harmful to the animal. Do not give your kitten food that has gone bad or expired dry food. Be wary of milk in a lop-eared kitten's diet. The body of a small pet does not absorb milk well, and in some cases it may not be digested, so the benefits of this product for the Scottish breed remain in doubt. Lactose, contained in dairy products, can provoke a fermentation process in the body of a kitten, which will lead to an upset stomach in a pet. Therefore, it is best to exclude milk from the pet's diet or give it, but as rarely as possible. You don't need to feed your kitten raw meat. Not in all cases, you can be sure of the good quality of this product. If an adult cat willingly eats a small piece of meat, then it can lead to indigestion in a kitten, besides, meat products are the main cause of toxoplasmosis in an animal.

Feeding Secrets

How healthy and beautiful your pet will grow up depends on the quality of feeding. The first food is best fed by hand rather than a bowl. This will bring the kitten and his new owner closer together, help establish contact between them, and establish a positive character in the pet. Before feeding a Scottish kitten, give him the command - "come here", and when the animal sits opposite you, put a bowl on your pet, giving permission to eat. Such training will help a grown kitten to protect himself from eating poor-quality, and possibly spoiled food from someone else's bowl and trying to steal food from your table. You can start training your pet from the age of two months. You should not feed your pet more than the established norm or feed him from your table. Despite the fact that the "Scots" are unpretentious, this breed has a tendency to obesity, cardiac and genitourinary pathologies. Therefore, the pet's diet at any age should be clearly balanced, and the kitten's nutrition and adherence to the food intake should be treated with particular care.

Scotland gave the world fine whiskey, the Ivanhoe novel and a cat that proudly bears the name of this country. The Scottish Fold cat, as a breed, was formed less than a hundred years ago, but has already become a favorite all over the world.

However, since the charming Scots are a young breed, not everyone is familiar with the feeding habits of this breed.

These cats, of course, do not disdain the national haggis, but the Scottish dish of lamb giblets is not the best food for a Scottish beauty.

In this article, we will tell you how to properly feed a Scottish Fold cat.

Since the representatives of this breed have always been famous for their size, feline nutritionists warn the owners of the Scots - watch your diet so that your pet does not get tired on full grubs. If, touching the back, you do not feel the spine and ribs of the cat without pressing, then it's time to sound the alarm - your pet is obese. How to deal with it - the veterinarian will tell you, but you can prevent the disease if you initially make the right diet for a Scottish cat.

Building a natural diet

Start feeding a Scottish Fold cat with mathematical calculations - the fact is that the energy requirement of a young Scot (7-12 weeks of age) per day is 838 kJ. Adult Scot consumes already 335.2 kJ. Based on this and armed with special tables, you need to make a menu.

First, the lop-eared Scot has meat!

30 grams of meat - a kitten, 150 grams - an adult animal per day. Raw frozen beef, boiled chicken meat are excellent sources of protein.

As for offal, the Scottish cat can cook lungs and kidneys without restrictions. The boiled heart is offered to the pussy only once a week, and the boiled liver is given in a very dosed way, because this product can change the color of the coat in light-colored Scots. From regular feeding with liver, the exquisite color can turn brown or turn yellow.

You can give fish. But rarely. And it is better not to give at all if you are thinking about the prevention of urolithiasis and sexual diseases. The fact is that fish contributes to a greater concentration of urea, and this is precisely what provokes urolithiasis.

What to feed a Scottish Fold cat in addition to meat?

Of course, dairy products! Since milk is contraindicated for adult Scots, they will take the necessary bouquet of usefulness from medium-fat kefir, bio-yogurt and cheese. The latter, by the way, is good to give in the form of a treat or encouragement. A cat will also like low-fat cottage cheese, especially if a loving owner mixes it with sour cream or a raw chicken egg.

Please note that protein cannot be given to a Scottish Fold cat - only boiled or raw yolk!

For the second, the Scots have porridge!

Steam oatmeal for your pet in the morning, cook rice or buckwheat for dinner, and be sure to mix cereals in a 1: 2 ratio with meat!

In order for the cat's nutrition to be properly balanced, alternate the cereal side dish with the vegetable side dish. Mix boiled carrots, cauliflower, pumpkin with meat and feed the Scot with this dish 2-3 times a week.

Remember not to salt, pepper or sweeten cat food.

And for dessert, the Scot has compote?

No, exclusively purified water! Do not give boiled water to cats. Water is present in the cat's saucer all the time, but food is only twice a day.

Scottish fold cats with proper nutrition grow up to be strong and beautiful animals!

How to feed a Scottish cat? The diet of an adult Scottish fold and straight-eared cat per day is 200-250 grams of food. Portions should be calculated individually: the daily dose is 3-5% of the animal's weight. If translated into the language of energy, then the cat's diet has a value of 335 kilojoules. This is an average indicator, because Cats have different levels of activity. So, kittens, pregnant and lactating cats, as well as cats during the breeding period need 10% of their weight. Castrated, obese, elderly and inactive cats need 2-3%.

CONTENT

We figured out how much a cat should eat. Now let's figure out what and how to feed a Scottish and British cat at home. If in the case of ready-made feeds you need to follow the instructions, then natural nutrition will have to be balanced on your own.

We note right away that cat nutrition is a very young science: it is only about 15-20 years old. Therefore, there are many unexplored issues in this topic, and even enlightened people (breeders, veterinarians and zoologists) can argue among themselves with foam at the mouth about what should be added to the diet of cats and what should not, and indeed about what it is. - Proper feeding. However, there are basics, which we will talk about in this article. We will not say everything that can be said, but we will give guidelines.

An excursion into the physiology of cats

The main mistake of many owners is that they believe that the human and feline organisms are very similar. In fact, a person is an omnivore, and a cat is an obligate ("obligatory") predator. This means that her diet consists mainly of animal products. The stomach and short intestines of cats (2.1 meters long) easily digest proteins and fats of animal origin, but he almost does not need carbohydrates.

For the rapid breakdown of proteins and the destruction of bacteria in the stomach of cats, a pH of 1-2 is maintained, that is, the environment is much more acidic than in the stomach of omnivores. Animal proteins are considered complete for cats (contain all the necessary amino acids), and plant proteins are considered incomplete. Animal proteins are found in meat and dairy products, as well as in eggs. The cat's protein requirement is 40-60% of the daily diet.

Fats in the diet of cats are an important component: the recommended fat content is on average 15% of the daily diet, the minimum allowable threshold is 5%, the maximum allowable threshold is 20%. Cats, unlike humans, do not experience cholesterol problems and do not suffer from heart disease due to the increased levels of animal fats in their food. They need fats for energy and supply of fatty acids (in particular, Omega-3 and Omega-6) to the body. The lack of animal fats in the diet leads to a huge number of health problems. But vegetable fats for cats are almost useless in terms of the absorption of nutrients. However, they can be added drop by drop to food.

As for carbohydrates, it’s worth knowing: cats’ saliva lacks the amylase enzyme necessary for their digestion. And indeed, there are no enzymes at all: food passes through the oral cavity very quickly, is swallowed. In order to break down the carbohydrates that have entered the body, the pancreas has to work. Under the action of its enzymes, they are broken down in the small intestine to glucose and other monosaccharides. If there are too many carbohydrates in the diet, then the pancreas is forced to work to the limit. But this does not mean that if you put 50% carbohydrates in your food today, your cat will get sick tomorrow. The body of a cat has a high compensatory capacity and an unbalanced diet leads to consequences only if the cat sits on such a diet for a long time.

It should be noted that some breeds react less critically to the imbalance of substances in the diet, others more. So, for example, a purebred Briton (without Scots in the family) belongs to the first group of animals, and the Scots, who often have problems with the absorption of trace elements, belong to the second group.

Although the cat's body can almost completely do without carbohydrates (it knows how to get energy from fats and proteins), in a home diet you need to provide your pet with a small amount of them. First of all, this is necessary for easy energy (rice and potatoes are good - it is permissible to add a pinch to a meat portion) and stool formation (cellulose from vegetables and bran helps to remove wool and toxins from the body, creates a feeling of satiety). Also, carbohydrate foods (greens, brewer's yeast, cabbage (you can give a pinch of grated cabbage if the cat does not have gas from it) contain prebiotics that help the growth of beneficial intestinal microflora.

An experiment was conducted during which the caudates were asked to choose any of the proposed products. On average, cats made a choice in favor of this ratio: proteins - 52%, fats - 36%, carbohydrates - 12%. That is, the figure recommended by scientists for cat fats was slightly overdone, but it is worth considering that the figures are averaged and are given as a rough guide.

Thus, the physiology of a cat suggests a diet that is almost entirely composed of animal proteins and fats. For those who give a counterargument that cats have been living with humans for a long time and should already be evolving to suit their type of nutrition, we will cite the opinion of zoologists: the physiology of domestic cats has changed little since domestication and does not differ much from the physiology of wild counterparts.

Natural and prepared food

While you do not know what Scottish fold and straight-eared cats, as well as the British, we will say a few words about two types of food. You should stick to one of them, which is closer to your lifestyle, and stick to it strictly.

The first type is natural food. But this is not food from the master's table. This is a separately prepared food for a cat from certain types of meat, vegetables and dairy. Products are served without salt and spices, which are prohibited for cats. Natural nutrition must be balanced so that all the necessary substances are present in it. And with a natural cat, it is advisable for cats to drink courses of vitamins: this ensures that all the microelements they need will enter the body, even if the owner has not made up the diet quite correctly. Although, if everything is done correctly, and useful organic supplements are offered for food, then there is no need for synthetic vitamins. Moreover, they are absorbed worse than natural ones.

What else can you feed a Scottish cat? The second type of nutrition involves the use of ready-made feed - in canned food, bags and dry pads. High quality food is made in factories from similar products that we use at home. But feeds are adapted for long-term storage, so they cannot be called perfect: long-term storage involves the addition of preservatives and not quite useful substances. In addition, many feed manufacturers, in an effort to save money, use products of dubious quality.

EXPERT COMMENT: Julia Prishchepa, host of the YouTube channel about cats "Athena-TV"

What to choose - natural food or ready-made food?

It is natural food that is most suitable for a cat, but you need to clearly know what can be given and what is absolutely impossible. Also, with a natural feeding scheme, it is difficult to balance products. For example, you need to know that if you feed a cat only raw meat, then this can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, if you are a busy person or you have many cats, ready-made balanced food will suit you. If you have 1-2 cats and have time to learn the intricacies of dietary nutrition, you can choose natural.

Scottish cat menu

Below is a menu of natural food, which is preferable. Let's list the products that an adult cat's diet should consist of.

Meat (mandatory and staple)

For Scottish and British cats, lean meats are suitable, because. the pancreas cannot cope with excess fat - as a result, pancreatitis develops. Lean meats include chicken, rabbit, quail, horse meat, turkey, and some parts of beef. The ideal meat for cats is poultry and rabbit meat. Don't give pork.

Also, breeders advise chicken. At the same time, the MURKOTIKI website, after consulting with nutritionists, does not recommend chicken meat that you are not sure about. According to the doctors who advise the site, chicken, especially broilers, contains many hormones that are stuffed into poultry in factories and even in households. Plus other harmful substances. Therefore, it is better to prefer chicken to turkey as a more environmentally friendly product. If there is access to environmentally friendly chicken, then it can and should be used.

The meat is given raw (the preferred option) or boiled, but in no case fried and smoked. Whether to feed a Scottish or British cat with raw meat, each owner is determined by himself. On the one hand, cooking kills many useful substances. On the other hand, worms are sometimes found in raw meat, which do not always die with the obligatory three-day refreezing in the refrigerator before serving to the cat. Without refreezing, that is, fresh meat, it is forbidden to feed.

It is worth noting that in meat grown on an industrial scale, worms are most often not present. According to experts, the animals in the factories are prevented and fed with special feed, so the risk of infection is minimized. But if you give a cat hunting or farm meat, there is a possibility of infection. Not every farmer regularly prophylactizes his animals, and they sometimes eat food that may be contaminated. Of course, this does not apply to all farms.

It is advisable to put the meat in a bowl in the form of pieces and large pieces so that the animal strengthens its chewing apparatus.

Bones are also regularly added to the diet. They are useful because cats brush their teeth about them, and also because in the process of eating meat from a bone, or just a large piece of meat, caudates develop jaw muscles. In addition, the bones contain useful substances. For this reason, an adult cat does not need to constantly give minced meat or small pieces of meat, because. this will lead to muscle atrophy. In addition, adult cats love meat in tangible pieces more. About how to feed cats with meat and bones, "MURKOTIKI" prepared, because. this is an important question: non-compliance with the rules can lead to the death of the animal!

Cats that are on a natural diet go to the toilet in a big way 1 time per day or 1 time in 2 or even 3 days - these are normal options. But you need to watch the stool: if the cat is prone to constipation, up to 5-10% of vegetables and (or) bran are added to the meat (some people add porridge, but this is wrong). The complete digestive cycle of a cat takes 24 hours.

If for any reason it is necessary to reduce the consumption of meat (for example, with a number of diseases), vegetables can be poured with jellied meat or meat broth at some meals so that they acquire a pleasant smell for the cat, and less meat is added. However, for any disease, a cat should not be put on a completely vegetarian diet or a diet with a predominance of vegetables and cereals.

As a daily food for cats, mixes are recommended: pieces of meat, offal, oatmeal, raw vegetables (carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, zucchini, etc.), greens, raw quail eggs. Such a mixture is prepared in advance, then refrozen in the freezer in separate portioned bags, after which it is thawed as needed, brought to room temperature and served to the pet. The meat in this mixture is raw.

Mixes are an alternative to mono-feeding, when different types of meat are not mixed in one meal. Instead, they are served at different meals. Do not confuse with constant feeding of one type of meat: this is not considered a balanced diet.According to veterinarians, both mixes and mono-feeding have the right to exist. The advantages of mono-feeding are a happy pet that rapaciously consumes whole pieces of meat, as well as the confidence that the gastrointestinal tract will not be confused by improperly selected ingredients (for example, a cat may be allergic to one of the ingredients in the mix). The advantages of mixes are that the cat receives all the necessary nutrients at every meal and there is no need to draw up and keep a nutrition schedule in mind.

Porridges are not the recommended food for predators, because are practically not absorbed and even interfere with the absorption of nutrients from other products. With frequent consumption of grains (cereals), cats are at risk of diabetes, urolithiasis, and thyroid problems. It is better to prefer bran to cereals.

Cats and fish is an established stereotype that has become the basis of more than one commercial. But, in fact, fish should not be a frequent guest on the cat's table: once a week - no more. With an overabundance of fish food, kidney problems can develop, and the cat will also begin to prefer only fish products, neglecting more healthy food.

It is important to choose the right kind of fish. It should not be overly oily. And it is worth considering that many types of fish (carp, pike, bream, whitefish, smelt, minnow, chub, catfish, gukuchan, ide, herring, herring, capelin, sardinella, smelt, crucian carp, perch, tench, burbot, chebak, sprat , sprat, anchovy, roach, bream, argentina) contain the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B1. Such fish can be consumed, but not often. But fish of the cod family should not be fed, because. it develops iron deficiency anemia and depigmentation of the coat. Salmon fish (salmon, pink salmon, trout), as well as hake, catfish, mackerel, hake, tuna, etc. are well suited to cats.

Seafood (as a treat)

Many cats enjoy eating squid, shrimp, mussels and rapans. Such food is not particularly easy for the cat's body to digest, so it should not be the rule, but the exception in the form of a treat: once or twice a month is enough.

Low-fat fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, unleavened cheese, whey, cottage cheese) are good for cats' health: they contain a lot of protein, calcium and vitamins, and also help good digestion. Fatty milk, for example, sour cream, is undesirable to use in large quantities, because. this can adversely affect the health of the pancreas.

Let's talk about milk separately. It is undesirable to give it to adult cats. From about 3 months they develop lactose intolerance. If you want to please your pet, because. he loves this product, buy special milk for cats or cream. Read.

Eggs (mandatory)

Chicken yolk, as well as quail yolk and protein should be a mandatory element of the Scottish cat's diet about 1 time per week. Chicken yolk should be given raw (if you are sure of purity) or boiled, the protein is thrown away, because. it is not good for cats. But the quail egg can be given whole and raw.

Raw eggs are an excellent source of vitamins (in particular, vitamins A, D, E and group B), as well as calcium, phosphorus, iodine, iron and other trace elements.

Vegetables are also good for your pet: they contain fiber, which helps to avoid constipation, and vitamins. Vitamins of group B are especially important in vegetables, the deficiency of which in cats is formed very easily, since they do not accumulate excesses of this vitamin, but remove them daily. That is, every day, vitamins of group B should be supplied in sufficient quantities. Veterinary expert Maria Dorosh recommends including vegetables in your cat's diet, although this is not required.

Vegetables can be served raw or cooked. It should be taken into account that vitamins are destroyed during cooking, therefore, from the point of view of saturating the body with vitamins, it is better not to cook vegetables. But the starch of boiled vegetables is absorbed better, so boiling is recommended for cats who have problems digesting food: boiled vegetables are a more gentle option for them. As soon as digestion returns to normal, you can switch to raw and lightly cooked vegetables. To make them easier to digest, they are added in small pinches and pre-rubbed on a grater.

Particularly useful are carrots (it is better to boil), beets (need to be boiled, but this product can cause diarrhea and vomiting), cucumbers (give raw), zucchini (can be boiled and given raw), pumpkin, broccoli (lightly boiled), white cabbage (its , on the one hand, they are not recommended, because it causes flatulence, on the other hand, it is an excellent prebiotic, so you can periodically add a pinch of grated cabbage).

Most often, cats refuse to eat vegetables separately, so they can be mixed with meat and poured over with meat broth to add flavor.

Cats benefit from parsley, dill, lettuce, and other green foods. Sometimes cats eat them without anything. They are sometimes played with and eaten as prey. Sometimes they prefer them instead of grass on the windowsill. Experiment.

Bran and meals (buckwheat, flax, etc.) can be added to the main diet. A pinch with food helps intestinal motility.

Dried kelp cleanses the body of toxins, helps to go to the toilet and enriches with iodine. It is enough to periodically add a pinch to food.

Vegetable oils (hemp, sesame, sea buckthorn, olive, pumpkin, but not sunflower) deliver vitamins to the body and help digestion. But we repeat, they are practically not absorbed, so it is better for them to prefer animal fats. However, many owners note positive changes in the coat when vegetable oils are added to the diet.

An important dietary supplement is fish oil (it contains essential fatty acids for the cat's body, including Omega-3 and Omega-6). It can be purchased as a supplement. Just keep in mind that fish oil quickly loses its beneficial properties after contact with air, so it’s better to buy it in the form of capsules and open one at a time before adding it to food.

Attention, life hack! It happens that the frozen meat is over, but you did not have time to prepare a new one. Then you can buy deep-frozen meat in the supermarket, defrost it and serve it to the cat.

Prohibited Products

And now about what is categorically impossible.

In no case do not repeat what is shown in the video. For the sake of a funny video, the owner fed the cat with sweet ice cream.

About gluten intolerance in cats

Some people and cats suffer from gluten intolerance - gluten from wheat, rye, oats (sprouted grass from oats is not considered) and barley. For some, gluten can cause diarrhea, for others, constipation, for others, inflammation of the intestinal walls and other unpleasant symptoms. It is not easy to make a diagnosis, because diagnostic methods are ineffective. It is difficult for people to give up gluten, because everyone loves pastries, but for cats it is very simple.

The MURKOTIKI website recommends that cat breeders make allowances for the possibility of gluten intolerance in a pet and not initially accustom it to products containing it. In particular, we are talking about wheat, because. it has more gluten. That is, no bread and pasta in the diet. In addition, it is harmful even to cats that do not have gluten intolerance.

If you are using pre-packaged foods, be aware that manufacturers have already come up with gluten-free lines. These foods are labeled “no grain”, “gluten free”, “grain free”, “gluten free” and the like. Such a line of feed is, for example, Farmina ND, 1st Choice, Acana, Orijen, Trainer. This is a super-premium and holistic class food.

In the case of natural nutrition, everything is much simpler: do not add porridge from wheat, rye, oats and barley to the meat, as well as bread. In fact, it is not recommended to do this anyway.

Diet of a sire cat

An important function of a sire cat is to pass on high-quality genetic material to future generations. Therefore, such a cat needs high-quality plentiful nutrition, rich in proteins and vitamin E, which increases fertility.

Also, food should include a lot of additional trace elements and carbohydrates, which provide the quick energy needed to build up sexual appetite and its implementation.

The diet of aging cats

Aging cats have their own diet. As a rule, its features are related to the fact that from the age of 8-12 years (each in its own way) the general activity decreases in an animal - and fewer calories are required. Usually, an aging cat and a cat spend 60-65 kilocalories per 1 kg of body weight per day, so the diet should be reduced taking into account energy costs.

The right food for an aging cat should be easy to chew and digest, but be rich in micronutrients, especially taurine, since its deficiency leads to the development of cardiomyopathy, which, for example, Scottish cats are already prone to.

If the cat has problems with teeth and gums, you need to serve ground or even liquid food.

Often, by old age, cats already have some kind of chronic diseases - the diet needs to be adjusted to take them into account.

But when a cat has become sedentary and its sexual function has faded away, food is often the only entertainment. Therefore, aging cats love to eat, although they just need to do this in limited quantities. What is the way out of the situation? How not to deprive an animal of the last joy in life? Firstly, at this time it is desirable to transfer the cat from two meals a day to meals in fractional portions, for example, 3 times a day. You can add more vegetables to food, because. their volume is larger, but the calorie content is lower. But this is only in case of irrepressible appetite.

And give the cat more affection, because. often older caudates like to eat more often also because they are paid attention at this time. Let the cat associate acts of tenderness not only with food.

If your cat, despite its age, is healthy, active and playful, then no dietary restrictions are required.

The diet of sick cats

Sick and injured cats need special nutrition, which depends on the type of pathology.With fatty liver, it is necessary to provide the cat with fractional nutrition in small portions, otherwise the disease will worsen. And if the animal has heart failure, it is recommended to transfer it to a salt-free diet (that is, not only do not add salt to foods, but also choose foods that initially contain less of their salt: for example, give up fish).

But first, you should consult with a veterinarian who will advise a specific diet in your case, because sometimes an animal suffers from two diseases at once and you need to properly combine diets.

Feeding neutered cats

Neutered animals often suffer from less movement, and since they also lose interest in sexual hunting, food remains the only joy in life. They also disrupt the production of hormones that affect the feeling of satiety. Such animals should not be overfed, otherwise they will become obese. But it’s also not good to deprive of joy, so you need to find a middle ground: you can feed a neutered cat and a sterilized cat 2-3 times a day, but in smaller portions.

Also, the animal can be transferred to low-calorie food. If this is a natural food, add more vegetables and cereals to the meat so that the amount of fiber filling the stomach is greater. If you are feeding your cat ready-made products from the factory, choose special food for sterilized animals.

Also, in the diet of castrated and sterilized animals, there should be practically no fish, because. its use increases the risk of urolithiasis, to which Scottish cats are already prone, and even more so neutered ones.

Finally

The topic of natural feeding of cats does not end there. We have given only guidelines that will help to increase knowledge further, including with the help of our articles in the "Nutrition" section. We advise you to introduce new foods into your cat's diet gradually and see how he reacts to them. Some cats are very fond of potatoes and tolerate them well, while others have problems with them. Some animals are excellent with the kidneys, while others are embarrassed by the smell of urine - they do not even fit such an offal. Some people are allergic to chicken. So everything is individual.

If you have read this long article to the end, it means that you will succeed and you are able to absorb a lot of information for the sake of your cat. But do not rush to be afraid of the fact that it is difficult to balance nutrition. We have good news for you: it doesn’t matter if you don’t succeed in balancing nutrition correctly from the first weeks - feline organisms are mostly strong and able to adapt to any conditions, and therefore an imbalance of substances will not immediately give health problems. It takes months to accumulate them. By that time, you will have time to get the necessary knowledge and by trial and error come to the best option. Periodically visit the "Food" section and find out new information.

This article has been checked and approved by an expert felinologist, owner of the Scottish cattery Kristal Rose*RU Elena Shabaeva. The cattery is registered with WCF. To ask an expert a question or get more information about him, go to his personal page on the site of Scottish and British cats "Murkotiki". ⇒