What can British cats eat. So, the little Brit can be given

British cats are one of the most interesting representatives of the cat world. This applies not only to their unique appearance, but also to their character. Surprisingly smart and peaceful, they will keep company with any person, make friends with children. Natural patience allows you to endure any of their pranks. Today we want to talk about food for your British pet should be varied, complete and, of course, tasty, because these cats are selective.

Needs of a cat

First of all, British cat food should include a lot of protein. Despite the fact that these are domestic animals, they still remained predators, disposed to animal food. The average Briton needs 125-250 grams of food per day. In some cases (pregnancy, high physical activity), this amount can be increased to 300 g. When you choose a kitten for yourself, you need to understand right away that food for British cats must be prepared specially. All seasonings, salt and other additives, which abound in our ordinary food, are harmful to them.

How to calculate the optimal portion

The diet is calculated based on the norm of 70 kcal and 10 g of protein per 1 kg of animal weight. At the same time, food for British cats can be both natural and ready-made. And it is best if you accustom the kitten to a variety of foods from the very beginning. different ages. In this case the problem balanced nutrition you are not threatened.

So, as we have already said, first of all, a fluffy beauty needs protein. These are meat, fish and eggs, cottage cheese and total which 200 g per day. Carbohydrates are also useful, as they are sources of energy. However, their number should be much less, about 50 g per day. It can be rice, oatmeal and buckwheat. Cereals are practically not digestible and are. Meat and fish are well digested raw, you just need to freeze well, but cereals must be cooked.

If you choose a natural diet

Eliminate pork or lamb from the diet, it is too heavy food. Eliminate food from your table completely or you will shorten your Brit's life.

It is highly undesirable to give to your pets chicken heads and legs, as after such food they may experience intestinal injuries. If you want your pet to just sharpen its teeth, then give a large beef bone with veins. But fish, contrary to the general opinion, is often impossible to give. Kittens can be given pre-frozen fish once a week, and adults once every two weeks. Be sure to lightly boil the fish and remove the bones from it. If your pet has urolithiasis, then the fish is completely excluded.

A natural diet, no matter how balanced it may seem, requires the mandatory use of vitamin and mineral complexes. Otherwise, the development of beriberi is very likely. If you are preparing food in advance, then divide the food into equal portions and freeze. Before giving to a cat, it is necessary not only to defrost, but also to make sure that the food is warmed up. Cold food is contraindicated for the British.

From leading manufacturers

Dry food for British cats is, on the one hand, very convenient. The owner does not need to worry that his pet has not received any important substances. In addition, purrs always eat the contents of the bags with great appetite. However, there are also some pitfalls. On the market prepared feed there are a lot of fakes, and sellers do not always comply optimal conditions storage. All this, first of all, affects the quality of the feed, and it is already reflected in the health of your pet.

What not to feed

Remember that food for must be of high quality. You can not give your pet "Whiskas", "Kitiket", "Purina" and other cheap food. The entire economy class contains a lot of dyes and flavors, ballast components and very little protein. As a result of such feeding, the animal develops urolithiasis, diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract occur. Better feed your Brit with natural food, there will be more benefits.

Optimal Diet

Royal Canin is the premium food for British cats. It has a number of competitive advantages. First of all, because this food is relatively affordable and is available in most specialized stores. In addition, it should be noted that it has a balanced composition, and food is made from quality ingredients. Based on the experience of many owners, breeders and veterinarians, we can conclude that this is one of the best feeds to date.

This brand includes several options for ready-made diets for your pet. The manufacturer offers a concentrated mousse for small kittens. After 4 months they can be accustomed to dry food of the same brand. Remember that dry food should be stored in airtight, sealed bags. Canned food is transferred to a glass jar and stored in the refrigerator.

Everything is only the highest quality

Of course, all owners want to give their pets the best. Therefore, veterinarians advise paying attention to premium food. British cats are not easily retrained, so it is better to choose only the best right away. Moreover, many veterinarians agree that Royal Canin is a good, high-quality premium food, but if possible, it is better to choose an option from the super-premium line.

Main difference

Super premium food is just perfect for the British. The main difference is high nutritional value, high digestibility. In the manufacture of this category of feed, chicken, lamb, eggs and high-quality cereals are used. Best Options feed for the British offers Eukanuba (Netherlands), Hills (USA), Pro Pac (USA). Very good and high quality rations recommended by leading breeders.

Feed-holistics

It would seem that it could be better than the diets presented above. But the best food for British cats is the super-premium elite. Holistic food is completely hypoallergenic. They include useful plants and fruits, vegetables and dietary supplements. Feed components are selected in such a way that animals receive all necessary substances. The components of the feed do not interfere with each other's absorption, which results in maximum absorption by the animal's body. However, there are still few such offers on the market. These are the famous Acana food (Canada), Chicken Soup (Diamond, USA), Eagle Pack (USA). If you are lucky enough to find this type of feed, then take this opportunity. Judging by the reviews of veterinarians, this is exactly the option that can be recommended to all Britons.

Is it possible to combine two types of diet?

A lot has already been said about mixing natural and ready-made food, but they have not come to one opinion. Many people think that it is possible to feed the animal with porridge and meat in the morning, and then put a cup of dry food for the day, but veterinarians are categorically against such a decision. You can not feed dry food in the form of a treat, not once a day, not once a month.

It is strictly not recommended to feed your animal with food from different manufacturers. The maximum that is permissible is to diversify the diet, consisting of dry food with wet canned food from the same manufacturer. At the same time, the share of canned food should not be more than 25% daily allowance.

Summing up

Judging by the reviews, the ideal food for British Shorthair cats is the products of Hills (USA). This is a super-premium food that takes into account the characteristics of this breed, and makes it possible to raise a healthy and active animal. In addition, of all high-quality feeds, it is most often found in Russian stores, which makes it easier for the owner. You only need to restock once a month, and the Briton will grow up healthy and happy.

The British breed of domestic cats is one of the most common in Russia. This is probably deserved, animals have a remarkable appearance: they have large body, a characteristic round head with not very protruding triangular ears with a wide base. There is a breed of cat with drooping ears, erroneously called British. They are quite similar to each other. In fact, when they say “British Fold kittens”, they mean the kids of the Scottish Fold breed. These cats are very similar to the "British", and they can have both folded and erect ears.

The "British" have big Round eyes, most often they are bright orange, there are also a different shade, but their color is always very bright and saturated. Finally, British cats have an amazing beauty and structure of the “fur coat”, it is very thick and soft. A properly cared for pet has a characteristic "plush" fur. In order for a pet to be healthy and look great, you need to work hard. Only if the food is complete, of high quality, and the care is adequate, will the owner have healthy and beautiful touching babies? First of all, we must remember that our domestic animals, both dogs and cats, are predators. Accordingly, they require a characteristic of this order of mammals. A cat of any breed needs complete proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

british kittens

What to feed cat babies of this breed? Now the owner of any pet There are two options for feeding your tailed friend: natural food or ready-made food. Let's analyze the first of them.

Vegetables and cereals. The cat needs carbohydrates, despite the fact that she is a predator. In the wild, she gets enough of them by eating the intestines of herbivorous prey. Domestic animals of the cat family are fed with vegetables and cereals. Cats are not very fond of vegetables, so you need to teach them with early age and give constantly. With a short absence of vegetables in the diet, the pet quickly weans. They are mixed with meat and meat products. Give carrots, zucchini, cauliflower. Porridge suitable for a cat - rice, buckwheat, oat flakes. Do not interfere with oats or wheat, dry home-grown grass.

Milk and dairy products. For kittens up to three months old, milk is included in the diet, you can give it every day, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream, yogurt will also be useful.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are necessary for the “British” baby on a natural feeding regimen.

Only if the four-legged minions eat high-quality and properly cooked food, the owner can boast that he has healthy British kittens. How to feed the latter, if the pet has a natural diet, we have sorted it out. However, if you do not have the time, energy and desire to choose, buy and cook natural food, what should you do then? In terms of the importance of the usefulness of the diet, one of the first places among purebred cats there are British kittens. How to feed them under all these conditions? A couple of words about ready-made feeds. They are wet and dry. Both can be successfully used for dry food. The advantages of dry food are that it can be stored for a very long time, does not spoil in a bowl and cleans the animal's teeth. Particular attention is paid to the quality of food, it is impossible to save on it. It is better to purchase professional foods such as Purina, Royal Canin, Hills, Iams, cheap widely advertised brands of food do not meet the needs of the cat and can cause illness.

Shorthair British are classified as elite pets. Like any thoroughbred individuals, they require heightened attention. In view of artificial breeding immunity in animals is weakened. In addition to proper care, you should provide them with quality nutrition. What food to feed british cat, and what are the age restrictions, read on.

The scourge of this variety is excessive weight gain. Therefore, before buying a pet, it is important to decide on the basics of nutrition. Mature cats can be fed industrial feed, natural food or combine them. Kittens are best given natural food.

daily to maintain normal weight Britons of moderate overweight need 300 kcal, which is 70 g of dry food.

A well-chosen diet should contain the following elements:

• essential vitamins and minerals;
• fatty acid;
• optimal protein level;
• L-carnitine.

Due to the balanced composition, it has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract, teeth and cardiovascular system. Deviation from these norms is fraught with negative changes in the physical condition of the animal.

Cats are obligate carnivores. Therefore, the diet of pets should be based on protein and a small amount of carbohydrates.

An example of a daily allowance for 1 kg of weight:

• 20 g of beef meat;
• 4 g of cereals;
• 10 g soft varieties cheese;
• 0.2 g sunflower oil.

Filtered water should be freely available.

Feeding rules

High-quality nutrition contributes to the softness and silkiness of the skin.

There are no specific restrictions for this variety. The list of dishes approved by veterinary nutritionists is standard for thoroughbred pets.

List of allowed products:

• lean meats - turkey, chicken, rabbit and beef;
• egg yolks;
• offal - wings, kidneys, heart, lungs and necks;
• wheat, rice, semolina and oatmeal;
• sea ​​boiled fish;
• germinated oats and wheat;
• vegetables;
• dairy products- kefir, cheese, cottage cheese, curdled milk and fermented baked milk.

When feeding, it should be borne in mind that the animal may have individual intolerance to individual components.

Meat

Despite the similarity with the human, the cat's digestive system has a number of specific features. The animal body is unable to perform the following functions:

• produce the amino acids arginine or taurine, which are found in meat;
• process linolenic acid from plant foods into arachidonic acid found in animal fat;
• convert beta-carotene to vitamin A.

These facts indicate that the emphasis in the feline diet should be on feeding meat.

To prevent fatty degeneration, cats need to consume large amounts of protein contained in meat.

Every day you can give beef, cut together with veins and films, or rabbit meat. Veal does not belong to the products useful for the British, since it contains few enzymatic substances. It is preferable to give chicken in boiled form, after removing the bones. The frequency of feeding chicken fillet is from 3 to 5 times a week.

Before cooking any type of meat, it should be frozen for at least 2 days in the refrigerator. This will help kill harmful bacteria. The defrosted product is allowed to be given both raw and boiled.

by-products

Representatives of this breed love such food. Should not be cut too small internal organs. This leads to the fact that the pet swallows them without chewing. Heat treatment is required. The liver is recommended to use chicken or beef, pork is prohibited.

If the color of the British coat is blue, the liver should be excluded from the diet. It leads to an undesirable change in the color of the hairline.

Fish

Considered an alternative source of protein. Despite the love of cats for this product, there are strict restrictions by the amount of use.

It is acceptable to feed ocean or sea fish - pollock, hake, cod. River fish is prohibited.

Must be boiled before serving. In its raw form, it destroys B vitamins in the body. Excessive eating provokes the development urolithiasis Therefore, you should not give the animal marine products more than 1 time per week.

Eggs

Only quail or chicken yolks are allowed. You can give both raw and boiled several times a week. Whole eggs can be used in an omelette made without salt.

Prohibited Products

To prolong the pet's life, prevent obesity and the appearance allergic reactions, a number of products should be excluded.

Spices, sugar and salt are also prohibited.

Feeding castrated and sterilized pets

After sterilization, the animal should be transferred to diet food. Due to the fact that after castration, pets become lazy and inactive, it is necessary to limit the intake of high-calorie foods. Excess weight negatively affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

After the operation, castrated pets are prone to the development of urolithiasis.

Fish can accumulate mercury. This leads to acute intoxication of the body of cats.

It is desirable to transfer the animal to natural nutrition based on the use of the following products:

• beef and poultry meat;
• cabbage and carrots;
• offal;
• soft cereals;
• dairy products.

In addition, you should include in the diet nutritional supplements containing vitamins A, E and group B.

Dry food should be excluded from the diet of males. Long term use contributes to the formation of kidney stones. In cats, due to the strongly narrowed and curved urinary canal, the risk of developing this disease increases. In addition, a sterile pet does not have a constant outflow of seminal fluid, which leads to the formation congestion in the urinary system.

Feeding Senior Cats

At the age of 8, the British begin to age. The activity of pets decreases and the metabolic rate decreases. Therefore, it is desirable to put animals on a sparing diet that regulates weight.

For organization medical nutrition help from a veterinarian is required. It is advisable not to engage in such developments on your own. It should be borne in mind that aged animals are susceptible to the development chronic diseases Therefore, the nutrition scheme should take into account the physical condition of the body.

For example, in diabetes mellitus, the animal experiences constant feeling hunger. Therefore, it is necessary to transfer the pet to a fractional low-calorie diet.

Dry food

Poor-quality dry food is replete with vegetable carbohydrates in the form of starch. The declared function of this element is an irreplaceable source of energy. In fact, it is only a cementing material for connecting the particles that form the basis of the granulated feed.

The specifics of the production of dry food do not allow reducing the percentage of carbohydrates below the bar of 40%. Such a large indicator is dangerous for the health of cats, since their liver practically lacks the enzyme responsible for processing carbohydrates into glucose.

And yet, there are foods on the market that do not contain vegetable carbohydrates, or their percentage is brought to a safe minimum.

Quality products include:

• Eukanuba with lamb meat and rice;

Among the above products, Purina stands out the largest number protein in the composition. This is due to the presence of soy on the ingredient list.

Rules for the use of granular products:

1. In addition to choosing a quality brand, it is necessary that the cat experience the pleasure of eating food.
2. Before you give preference to any food, you should buy several different options in economical packages and watch your pet's reaction.
3. It is important to make sure that the food is available for sale.
4. Once a particular variety has been approved, you should not feed your cat any other manufacturer's food. The digestive system of pets is difficult to adapt to a different type of food.
5. The best option would be food without vegetable carbohydrates.
6. Dry products must be alternated with pouches.

With long-term feeding of exclusively granulated industrial food, the following complications may occur:

• fatty degeneration of the liver;
• dental diseases;
• pathology of the kidneys and urinary tract.

To keep your pet healthy, you should choose premium or holistic food.

Drinking regime

The body of representatives of the cat family consists of 70% water. However, in cats, especially in the British, the feeling of thirst is weakened at the genetic level. Animals do not absorb enough fluid to keep their bodies functioning properly. As a result, they form kidney or bladder stones.

The owner of the cat must take control of the drinking regimen. It should be understood that the term "liquid" refers to water. Sour milk or broths do not have the qualities inherent in this hydrological element.

When feeding with dry food, the amount of water consumed should be increased at least 2 times: for 50 g of granules, from 100 to 150 ml of liquid is needed.

Feeding kittens

Compared to adult cats, the nutritional pattern of babies is radically different.

The frequency of feeding pets depends on their age:

• up to 6 months - 6 times a day;
• after six months - 2 times.

A bowl of water should always be available to the public.

When to start feeding

The body of a kitten draws everything necessary elements from mother's milk.

Basic feeding rules:

• the optimal age for the transition to complementary foods is 4 weeks;
• meal schedule - every 2 hours;
• every day it is necessary to increase the volume of daily food from 5 to 15 g;
• start feeding preferably using a pipette;
• a good option are specially designed industrial formulas for kittens.

Weak pets must be supported with vitamin cocktails. An approximate composition is 0.5 ml of ascorbic acid, 3.5 ml of 5% glucose and 3.5 ml of saline. The solution is injected subcutaneously into the area between the shoulder blades. The recommended single dose is 1 ml. The injection can be done up to 3 times a day. An overdose is fraught with malfunctions in the cardiovascular system.

Features of feeding up to 1 year

Upon reaching 1 month, the kitten can be transferred to adult food. By this time, his teeth and digestive system had already strengthened.

1. From 4 to 8 weeks, the feeding schedule is from 5 to 6 times a day. The diet consists of mixtures and a small amount of finely chopped or blended chicken and beef.
2. From 2 months, switch to 4 meals a day. The size of the pieces of meat can be increased.
3. From 3 months to give finely chopped raw meat. Boiled can be crushed. Gradually introduce the following foods into your diet:
   1. boiled sea fish without bones;
   2. milk;
   3. quail eggs;
   4. low-fat cottage cheese;
   5. kefir.
4. From 6 months to adhere to 3 meals a day.
5. From 8 months - give food 2 times a day.

In the second year of life, the pet is transferred to adult nutrition.

Video - How kittens eat in the first week

The benefits and harms of milk

This product contains a large amount of protein, methionine and choline, vitamins and calcium. Despite its usefulness, at a certain age it does more harm than good.

The concentration of lactase in the body of cats begins to decrease as they grow older. This leads to a decrease in the pet's need for milk and even to its intolerance.

Therefore, fermented milk products are more useful for cats. In the process of fermentation with milk, the following transformations occur:

• the amount of B vitamins increases;
• microorganisms useful for intestinal microflora accumulate;
• there is an almost complete breakdown of lactose, which is harmful to adult pets.

General recommendations for the nutrition of the British do not differ from the rules for feeding other thoroughbred cats. It is necessary to listen to the pet's body and make timely changes to the diet in case of intolerance to any product.

The British breed of shorthair cats belongs to the aristocrats of the animal world. This is a domineering, self-sufficient, intelligent and beautiful pet. Thanks to these properties, the British breed is suitable for owners who are not used to being at home all the time.

A pet easily tolerates loneliness and does not yearn in the absence of owners. They are not characterized by the habits inherent in ordinary representatives of the cat family. They practically do not make noise, as they have a quiet pleasant voice, which is served very rarely. Pets do not have the habit of sharpening their claws on objects. upholstered furniture and don't ride curtains trying to climb the ledge in search of adventure.

Many pet lovers know that thoroughbred cats require special attention. In most cases, when buying a British cat from breeders, a person is given recommendations on what kind of food is suitable for the animal. But what if the animal has already appeared, and how to feed the cat at home british breed its owners don't know. And when malnutrition or a violation of the diet, irreparable changes in the health of the animal can occur.

Basic rules for feeding a British

The frequency of feeding purebred cats directly depends on their age. Small kittens up to six months old should be properly fed at least 6 times a day. At the same time, you do not need to clean the dishes with food after feeding. A young, immature animal should always be able to replenish lost calorie reserves.

Britons over the age of six months should eat no more than twice a day in the morning and evening. After the pet has eaten, the cup of food is removed until the next feeding. It is important to remember that for an animal of any age, you should always put a bowl of clean water, which must be changed as it gets dirty.

But regardless of the age of the pet, there are general rules feeding cats of all breeds:

• properly feed the British cat only with fresh food;
• the temperature of the food should be the same as the temperature environment in the room;
• if pet they feed food twisted in a meat grinder, then small balls need to be formed from it;
• cats do not really like boiled porridge or vegetables, so it is advisable to grind such products on a grater and mix with meat ingredients;
• the volume of the side dish should not exceed a quarter of the serving;
• next to the feeding plate should be a cup of fresh water, purified through a filter that most people use in everyday life;
• do not leave food leftovers on the plate so that harmful bacteria and microorganisms do not start;
• important to establish regular regimen feeding at the same time, which will suit both the cat and its owner;
• after the British cat has eaten, you need to leave it alone, and not try to play with it.

You can't feed your pet too much hot or cold food. Only thanks to a healthy and moderate diet, the coat of a domestic cat will be soft and silky.

What foods to feed the British at home?

Every pet owner should understand that thoroughbred cats should never be fed food from a common table. If you decide to feed the animal only natural food, then you need to be patient and understand that you will have to cook for the British separately. An incorrect or unbalanced diet can adversely affect the health of a four-legged family member.

It is important to understand that not a single British cat can't live without meat products. Previously, such food is given to the effect low temperatures in the freezer of the refrigerator, where the meat remains for at least two days. Thawed meat does not harmful microorganisms or bacteria and is therefore suitable for raw consumption by the cat. It is advisable to give preference to beef, which is cut along with films and veins. Such meat can be given daily. It is better not to include veal in the feed of a domestic cat, since it contains practically no enzymatic substances.

Healthy British cat is boiled fish. Use raw fish undesirable due to the fact that it destroys B vitamins in the body. It is advisable to use marine varieties of fish. But it is impossible for the fish to take most in animal feed. A castrated animal can be given fish no more than once a month. Chicken meat must first be boiled and the bones removed from it, if any. It is better to give it together with the broth no more than 3-5 times a week.

British food may consist from chicken and quail yolks, both in boiled and raw form. You can mix egg yolk with dairy products and give your pet 2-3 times a week. Whole eggs can be cooked like an omelette without spices or salt and also given to a British cat. Separately, the animal can be fed with fermented milk products. However, milk pure form Veterinarians do not recommend giving.

Use of dry food for feeding

If the owner of the British decides to feed the cat with dry food, then he must understand that it is important to choose its composition and manufacturer. First of all, you need to give preference to premium class feeds. It is also important that the four-legged member of the family likes it. The British are very picky about food choices. Therefore, it makes no sense to buy large packages of food, even if it is the best on the pet store counter. For starters, you should pick up several varieties in economical packages and see what the cat likes.

Also, when choosing a suitable type of dry food, it is important that it is available for sale, that is, it does not have to be searched for in different stores in the city. Once the food has been selected, it is not recommended to change it to other varieties. The cat's body gets used to one food, and it is very difficult for a cat to change to a different type of food. If a domestic cat feeds on dry food, it is important to ensure that there is always a container with clean and fresh water near the bowl.

The British breed cat is one of the most popular. You can meet such a kitty not only in our country, but also from foreign breeders. The British are affectionate and beautiful, they have a smooth and shiny coat, however, with improper nutrition, a cat can lose its beauty.

British kitten food

Just as people choose products in the store to prepare their favorite dishes, cats need to be offered a special diet. The nutrition of the animal should depend on its age, state of health and personal characteristics. Little Brits, for example, should not be fed the same food as adult cats.

British cats need to be fed based on their age, health status and preferences.

Usually Brits are taken away from a cat at a tender age. Someone follows the rules of breed clubs and buys a kitten after 3 months, while someone cannot wait and takes a very tiny baby. Nature arranged everything so that the kittens were fed by a cat. It is the mother cat who instills immunity in her cub (antibodies enter the kitten's body with her colostrum). Plus, the little Brit gets c mother's milk all the necessary trace elements.

Even a person, if he is abruptly transferred from one diet to another, can get sick. What can we say about small and defenseless kittens. accustomed to the taste warm milk mothers, babies risk serious harm when they enter the house of a new person. Responsibility for the life and health of the cat from now on lies entirely with the new owner.

In order for your little Brit to grow up strong and healthy, you need to feed him properly.

Artificial feeding of newborn British

artificially feed british kitten need not only in cases where he moved to new house. There may be several reasons for this:

• mother cat died;
• the kitten and his mother are incompatible by blood type;
• did the cat cesarean section;
• she fell ill and was treated with medicines that are incompatible with breastfeeding;
• the mother cat has no milk;
• She herself pushed the kitten away.

Medical reasons - caesarean section, incompatibility of blood types and illness of the cat-mother - oblige a person to feed a kitten only for a while. If the cat's milk is still not lost, then you only need to maintain lactation until the moment when she can feed her cubs herself. In the event that lactation has stopped or the cat has died, you will need to feed the kittens until they reach 5 weeks of age.

Kittens up to 1 month old are considered newborns.

Newborn kittens need to be fed every 2 hours. In this case, the presence of a heat source must be constantly monitored. Usually, a mother cat acts as a heater for babies, but if she is not around, then a heating pad will do. It is important to ensure that there are no drafts near the kittens. You also need to protect babies from viruses and infections. Experienced breeders usually arrange everything in such a way that it seems as if the cat "raises" the kittens on its own. This has a beneficial effect on both the condition of the kittens and the psyche of the cat that has given birth.

In some cases, the cat continues to feed the kittens herself, but there may be little milk, or the sucking process itself is not working properly. The first sign proper nutrition is a stable increase in body weight of the baby. Kittens should be weighed twice a day. The baby should add from 5 to 15 grams per day. Another sign good food is sleep between feedings. A healthy kitten (especially if it is still blind), waking up, does not squeak, but looks for a nipple, after which it falls asleep again. However, sometimes kittens do not squeak because they do not have the strength to do so. Therefore, a more important criterion is weight gain.

Baby cats can be fed or fed with a pipette. For this, industrial formulas for children (Nestogen, NAN, etc.) or special ones from manufacturers are suitable. cat food. They must be diluted strictly according to the instructions. An overdose of such food can lead to constipation, so it is important to control the entire process from breeding to consumption by the kitten. He will not eat too much, so the mixture can be given in any quantity, but every 2 hours. Leftovers after each feeding should be thrown away. Check with your veterinarian, perhaps the kitten needs a drug that facilitates absorption. Usually in such cases, use Elvestin.

Some kitty formulas come with a teat and measuring spoon

The body of very young kittens is not adapted to digest and assimilate ordinary milk or cereals. There was a case in my family when my father had to take home several small kittens. They were still blind. We tried to pipette them. Since there was no infant formula, they bought goat milk and diluted with boiled water. It was risky, but there was no other way out. Not all kittens survived.

It also happens that at first the kitten gains weight, and then suddenly begins to lose weight dramatically and eventually dies. Most often this happens when the cat is trying to feed the cubs on its own. Approximately on the fifth day, you can determine which of the babies are stronger, they drive the weak kittens away from the sucked nipples. The kitten is not full and may lose the sucking reflex. If at the weigh-in you determined that one of the little kittens lost weight, you can do it in two ways:

• swap kittens (let weak baby today will eat from the best nipple);
• feed the kitten artificially.

It is necessary to control that the kitten eats about the same time as his strong brothers eat. Do not let the kitten fall asleep until he is full. If the baby still falls asleep before the rest, then it is possible that he is simply weak and sleeping on the nipple. This is a signal that you need to feed the kitten with a mixture.

Sometimes, in addition to complementary foods, a kitten also needs vitamins.

If artificial feeding with the mixture did not help, and the kitten is still losing weight, then you can consult a veterinarian about taking vitamins. Experienced breeders sometimes give weak kittens "vitamin bombs": ascorbic acid (0.5 ml), glucose (5%, 1 ml) and saline (3.5 ml). The solution is drawn into a 5 ml syringe and injected strictly subcutaneously between the shoulder blades. For 1 time, you can enter no more than 1 ml (a larger volume can have a bad effect on the work of the heart). You can give such an injection up to 3 times a day, but usually 1 time is enough for the kitten to become more active and stick to a strong nipple.

Features of nutrition of a kitten for the first few months

By the month, the little Brit will already have grown and strong teeth (they begin to grow at about 3 weeks), so he can be transferred to more “adult” food. However, the baby's stomach is still not adapted to solid food, but there is already a need for proteins and carbohydrates. From their use in correct quantities depends on how the body of the cat will be formed in the future.

From 1 month old, a kitten needs to be fed 5-6 times a day. He can already be given beef and chicken meat. Moreover, the protein product must be frozen and scalded after defrosting. In order for the animal to bite and chew meat, it must be chopped in a blender or cut into thin slices. However, veterinarians do not really welcome the feeding of such small kittens with meat. It is best to feed the cat with a special mixture, but feed it with a small amount of meat, because he needs to get used to solid food.

From two months the kitten needs to be transferred to four meals a day. The size of the pieces of meat can be gradually increased. By 3 months, the cat should eat no longer chopped meat, but finely chopped. Grind only boiled meat. Also, other foods should be introduced into the kitten's diet:

• sea ​​boiled fish, deboned;
• low-fat cottage cheese (small portions are given every day);
• milk (up to six months);
• non-acidic kefir;
• quail eggs.

From two months old, a little Brit can start giving new foods

From six months old, a British kitten can be transferred to three meals a day, and from eight months old - to be fed twice a day, while you need to observe whether the cat is full. In any case, it is recommended that the pet be completely transferred to two meals a day by 1 year. From 8 months, milk should be completely excluded, and more fermented milk products should be added to the diet - the body of a maturing cat does not absorb milk. If necessary, a grown kitten can be transferred to industrial feed, and use cat grass as a source of vitamins.

I buy cat grass seeds and grow them on my windowsill. Sometimes, if there were no seeds in the store, I buy already grown weed. My cat is 10 months old and has been eating grass for 2-3 months. Moreover, she somehow independently determines which sprouts she will eat, and which ones she will pinch off and spit out. In medium bags (for 40–45 rubles) there are usually 300–400 seeds of various cereals. I plant everything, and my cat only eats those with a green lower part of the sprout.

Drinking regime

The body of a cat is 70% water, it is needed for normal operation of the whole organism: maintaining body temperature, digestion processes, assimilation of vitamins, etc. However, in cats, the feeling of thirst is weakened at the genetic level, they can drink very little (less than required), which causes problems:

• urine becomes concentrated;
• infections develop in the bladder;
• stones are formed and the work of the kidneys is disturbed;
• gets upset water balance organism.

In addition to nutrition, drinking is also important.

The growing body of a kitten requires even more water, as his body grows, and the metabolism depends on the amount of water received. Volume required fluid depends on the type of food, temperature and humidity, physical activity and other factors. If the kitten eats wet food and not dry food, then he may not drink water at all. However, the term “liquid” refers to pure water. Broth and milk do not carry the qualities that water has.

If the kitten eats only dry food, then there should be 2-3 times more water. For example, if a pet eats 50 g of food, then about 100–150 ml of water is needed. With wet food, the liquid may be slightly less.

A kitten should always have clean water in a bowl.

Most a budget option- tap water, but it's no secret that it's not of good quality. AT tap water many harmful impurities, including chlorine and fluorine. In the worst case, it may contain pathogenic bacteria, threatening pet's life. Pure water can be store or natural:

• bottled water;
• distilled water (the purest);
• spring or well water (the most useful).

If it is not possible to get such water, then tap water can be purified. Some people boil it, but there is an opinion according to which beneficial properties are also killed when boiling. Therefore, tap water can be filtered, for example, by buying a special drinking bowl for cats. In such devices there is a motor that dispenses the already purified liquid in batches.

Cats drink only the freshest water. For example, my cat does not like to drink from a bowl at all, but she really likes tap water. She sometimes chokes and sneezes, but does not leave until she is drunk. Fortunately, I have a built-in water filter. If your cat also likes to “catch” a trickle from the tap, then you, too, can think about installing a filter.

How to understand that a kitten does not tolerate a particular product

Allergies are common in British kittens. If the kitten was fed artificially, the risk of getting sick increases, since he did not receive proper immunity. However, product intolerance can be confused with another similar disease. For example, if the animal is breathing heavily, then it may have asthma, not allergies. Diseases of kittens can be identified by several symptoms:

1. The kitten sneezes, and repeatedly.
2. Discharge comes from the nose.
3. The kitten constantly combs some place, it can even roll on the floor or on the rug. Where the cat itches, redness, a rash (dermatitis) may appear, while you won’t see it right away, it can pour out gradually, so you need to sometimes examine the animal.
4. Rapid fatigue.
5. Cough, wheezing at rest and after physical activity.
6. Diarrhea, involuntary bowel movements, loss of consciousness, the heart is working intermittently.
7. Wet armpits.
8. The skin can smell something sweetish and rather unpleasant.
9. Not a very pleasant smell comes from the mouth.
10. The kitten rides backwards on the floor, as if riding a sleigh.

Some kittens may have an individual intolerance to a particular product.

Sneezing may not be a reaction to food, but to another irritant ( cigarette smoke, filler, etc.). If you still suspect an allergy to a certain product, then remember what you have been cooking lately. This is not necessarily some kind of treat from the kitten's diet. It is possible that this is an allergy to the food that was on your table, for example, oranges. In this case, it is necessary to limit the contact of the kitten with the irritant product. If the sneezing has not stopped, nasal discharge has begun, and other symptoms have appeared, then you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

British kittens may be allergic to pollen

A common symptom of food intolerance is persistent itching. If the kitten itches, and there is redness on the body (on the stomach, behind the ears), dandruff has appeared, and even more so diarrhea or nausea, then this is definitely an allergy to food. This most often happens when a kitten is given inexpensive food. Corn is added to its composition, and it can cause this kind of allergy. It is necessary to change the food to a better one, and if the kitten has sores in the places of scratching, then you need to take it to the veterinary clinic - let the veterinarian prescribe a healing ointment. Drugs intended for humans should not be given to kittens. It is impossible to start such manifestations of intolerance, otherwise the baby's liver may suffer.

one more a serious symptom allergies can become "riding on the carpet". If the kitten rubs its back on the floor and squeaks during a bowel movement, then this may indicate inflammation of the perianal glands, which usually occurs in case of an allergy to food, shampoo or fleas. This rarely happens in cats, but if you notice it, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. I have friends who took the cat by surprise when he did this. They filmed their pet and found it funny. And some even begin to scold the pet for such tricks, although he is not to blame.

Nutrition for an adult British cat

Adult cats can also be fed commercial or natural food. Some British cat owners feed their pets a combination (dry food + natural food), but veterinarians believe that this is wrong. In industrial feeds, all the rules and ratios of trace elements have already been observed, but such food cannot be called complete. Therefore, many breeders and pet owners choose natural food. By the age of one, you should already decide how you will feed your Briton.

diet adult cat must contain only the highest quality products

Any domestic cat retains the needs of a predator. If a cat lived in the wild, she would eat protein food and sometimes carbs. Meat proteins would be ingested raw, and plant components would be digested. With this in mind, felinologists have long defined the rules for feeding domestic cats. But you need to make the diet of your pet, taking into account the needs of the British breed.

Raw meat and fish on the British menu

Raw meat should be given to a cat, but it must be processed

If your British cat has a blue color, then you need to exclude the liver from the menu. Liver leads to a change in coat color (as well as buckwheat). The rest of the offal, thermally processed, can be given. Meat food in the diet of the British should be at least 50%.

An alternative source of such building material like a protein, a fish can become. Cats love any fish, but there are rules about this product too. Only good quality sea or ocean fish (hake, cod, pollock, etc.) can be included in the diet of a British cat. It is better to boil it before serving.

I usually buy salmon, salmon or cod for the whole family, and for the cat I always prepare the fourth part (if I bought cod, I save 1 steak). I boil the fish in unsalted water, and then I clean it from the bones. If you boil it for at least half an hour, then the fillet itself is separated from the ridge and ribs. I divide the finished fillet into portions (1/4 of a medium salmon is divided into 4-5 servings). After that, I wrap each portion in a separate film or put it in a small jar and send it to the freezer. I give fish to my cat once a week (too much can lead to urolithiasis). Fish prepared for 1 time is enough for a whole month.

Ready feed

British cats are relatively unpretentious in food. Most owners of such cats buy ready-made food of medium quality. It is inexpensive and convenient (saving time and effort for cooking). If your cat does not have an individual intolerance to the ingredients, then you can easily pick up such food for her. The stores have a huge selection of cat food. However, more experienced breeders The British believe that not all industrial products are suitable for cats of this breed. It is best to purchase food that does not contain vegetable carbohydrates. In addition, dry food should be alternated with wet food.

If you feed a cat with industrial food, then this should be the best product.

When choosing ready-made food for a pet, you need to be guided not only by the principle of economy. Every time I buy food for my cat, I carefully read the label. It is important that the list of ingredients does not include any ingredient that is unfamiliar to me. It is also important to control the expiration date and storage conditions. Sometimes the food smells bad and the cat doesn't like it. This may indicate that the product was stored improperly, and therefore “disappeared”. At home, I store opened and pegged bags in a dry, dark and cool place.

Experienced cat breeders buy feed in medium-sized packages. If you buy the smallest bags, you will often have to go to the store. And if you take immediately large package, then this is beneficial, but the product may deteriorate even before it is eaten. For the most beloved pets, you can find food that is designed specifically for British cats. Breed lines of industrial feeds take into account the needs of cats of each individual breed.

How many times a day to feed a British cat

An adult is considered a cat that has reached the age of one year. Like any other pet, it must be measured and fully fed. However, sometimes owners british cats cannot control the number of feedings (for example, they are rarely at home). Sometimes such people leave a full bowl of food for the whole day. Of course, no owner wants his tailed pet to starve. But in this case, the food will become uncontrolled and the animal can “get better”. The Briton will quickly gain weight, and various health troubles will follow.

Cats love to eat often and tasty, but the owner of the animal needs to follow the regime

It is best to accustom a cat to a specific regimen from childhood. For the British, 2 feedings a day are enough (and sometimes one is enough). Most often, such animals are fed in the morning and evening. When transferred to the "adult" mode, the cat may resist and protest, but it is better to be patient and see it through to the end. Accustomed to a certain schedule, the cat will not look sad every time the owner eats something delicious. In addition, some cats may voice their demands. And if the pet is silent, then she will try to steal something edible. British cats are very smart, they remember where what "yummy" is.

But, of course, the two-feeding schedule only applies to healthy and adult cats. Pregnant, sick or elderly cats need special care.

Allowed and prohibited products

So, it became clear that cat food should be prepared only from suitable products. Permitted ones include the following:

• lean meats (chicken, beef, rabbit, turkey, etc.);
• organ meats (kidneys, lungs, hearts, necks, chicken wings, etc.);
• boiled fish of low-fat varieties;
• boiled egg yolks;
• vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, etc.);
• cereals (rice, oatmeal, semolina, millet, etc.);
• fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, curdled milk, cheese);
• germinated wheat, oats or special grass.

If a cat has chosen a favorite product, this does not mean that it is good for her.

Despite the fact that egg white counts pure protein It is strictly forbidden to give it to a cat. The British can only be offered boiled yolks. Vegetables are also given raw, but a rare cat will agree to eat, for example, raw carrots. Usually vegetables are boiled and given with meat (garnish). Some cats also eat fruit. You can give some fruits as a treat (the main thing is that they are not allergenic).

I once had a cat that ate cucumbers. She did not care about the state of the vegetable, she could eat sluggish, yellow or bitter. I heard that some cats are afraid of cucumbers like fire. This means that the cat herself will determine which vegetable she will eat, and which she will refuse.

Photo gallery: useful products

You need very little cereal, you can cook porridge with vegetables from them and serve as a side dish for meat Fish should be sea or ocean Offal is better to give chicken or turkey Dairy products should be low-fat, without sugar and additives. Almost any vegetable can be given to a cat (they are full of vitamins and healthy fiber)

Some people think that if the food is dietary (for example, a simple chicken soup), then it will not harm the cat, but this is a delusion. At least there is salt in the soup, and the British cannot. It can lead to a violation of the water-salt balance and urolithiasis. Of course, sometimes you want to pamper your pet with something tasty, but the fleeting gratitude of a cat does not justify such a risk.

Photo gallery: harmful products

Legumes can cause serious disorders digestive system river fish cats should not be given either raw or boiled Pork in any form should be excluded from the cat's diet Cats should not be given any food from the human table Potatoes and other starchy foods have a high glycemic index, they increase blood sugar levels

My cat loves sweets to shivering, even though sweet is harmful to animals. Sugar damages teeth, and its regular use can lead to the development of diabetes. If she saw a candy wrapper or someone eating candy, she will not calm down until she asks for at least a small piece. Now if I buy a home chocolate candies, you have to take a little "cow" or creamy toffee. When the cat starts to beg, we give her a quarter of a creamy candy, and while she is trying to chew it, we already have time to hide everything else.

The owner of the Briton needs to keep an eye on drinking regimen pet. Of course, when natural feeding a lot of liquid can get into the cat's body, but nothing can replace clean, fresh water. The water bowl must always be full.

If the cat refuses water, perhaps the bowl does not seem clean enough to her. Wash cat dishes and change water every day. If these procedures did not help, try putting the bowl in another place or replace it. Some cat owners put water containers in different places(for example, in the kitchen, in the hallway and on the windowsill in the bedroom). By the behavior of the animal, you will quickly understand which container he likes more than the others.

Features of nutrition of elderly and sick British cats

At 8-9 years old, the British cat becomes weaker. The activity of the animal decreases, as does the metabolic rate. The animal no longer needs as much energy as before. Therefore, older Britons are recommended to be translated into special diet or an industrial feed formulated with reduced physical activity in mind.

Older British cats need a special diet

Usually, in order to develop a dietary diet for a cat, they turn to a veterinarian. This is especially true when your pet is sick. For example, if he has diabetes, you need to coordinate the diet with the use of "anti-diabetic" drugs. In such cases, only a specialist can give the right advice.

Other British people may have hyperthyroidism. It is a disease associated with dysfunction thyroid gland. A cat suffering from this disease is almost constantly hungry, but it is impossible to feed it all the time. Overfeeding an old or sick cat will lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, because a weak cat is not able to absorb all the food eaten. After the disease is cured, the appetite will return to normal.

Another one common problem elderly cat - weak teeth. They can be affected by caries or a stone, in addition, an old cat may have gums that hurt. Such a pet should not be fed dry solid food, because chewing it will cause discomfort or pain. An option in this case would be to switch to wet food or soaking dry food in clean water. If the Briton eats natural food, you need to “soften” it as much as possible.

It is not at all necessary to reduce the amount of food “forcibly”, just adjust the menu. And if your cat does not leave an empty plate, it means that it is full. In addition, now in stores you can find special feed for older cats and cats. My mom lives old cat Dusya. Mom fed her natural food, and sometimes dry food. Now Dusya has become old, so they buy her special wet food in jars. And if you still have any doubts, you can always contact your veterinarian.

Nutritional features of the cat-manufacturer

A sire cat must have "strength", so it needs to be fed abundantly. AT daily ration the Briton needs additional doses of vitamin E and protein - the vitamin will increase fertility, and protein (meat) will increase the strength of the future father. In addition, additional trace elements and carbohydrates can be introduced, which will have a positive effect on the vigor of the manufacturer. To understand exactly what supplements your cat needs, you need to talk to your veterinarian. The specialist will examine the pet and determine which microelements the animal lacks.

The stud cat needs to be fed densely and satisfyingly

You need to take into account the individual characteristics of your Briton. The amount of food offered to him may be normal, but if the cat needs to more food he will let you know. In this case, do not refuse him. The animal must go to mate with good mood. And some cats, on the contrary, refuse to eat before meeting with a cat. Usually such animals "lean" on dinner with a double appetite.

Features of the nutrition of a pregnant cat

A pregnant cat needs a lot of food. After all, several rapidly developing kittens grow in her stomach, and this takes a lot of strength and energy. Therefore, the expectant mother should be fed not 2, but 3-4 times a day. If the pet is not full, then you need to increase the number of meals, and not the amount of servings. Cats do not follow the figure, so if a pregnant cat wants to eat, you will definitely understand this.

Besides food, expectant mother need unlimited access to fresh water. This is especially important when she eats dry food. By the way, now they are also sold for pregnant cats (taking into account the characteristics of their body). Some owners of British women choose children's cat food - they are also suitable for pregnant women.

A pregnant cat needs not only food, but also peace

Before the birth, the cat may refuse to eat. This is normal, so there is no need to worry. If during the birth itself (and they can last a day or more) it seems to you that the cat has weakened, then you can support it. Of course, during the period of labor it will not be possible to feed her, then you can offer her cotton swab dipped in sweet water. This will not saturate the cat, but if she sucks at least a little or licks the stick, then her strength will increase.

When the offspring is born, the cat will start eating. The appetite will return, and then it will become even better than it was during pregnancy, because it will take a lot of effort to feed the babies.

Cat food is similar to human food. Toddlers eat often, teenagers eat a lot, and adults should have a strict schedule. Only by following these simple rules can you save the health of a British cat. Control over the nutrition of a pet should begin from birth to old age.