Castration is a serious surgical intervention in the vital functions of an animal’s body. This is not just ridding the cat of sexual desire by removing the testicles. Such interventions have an impact on subsequent behavior, habits and functioning of the body. The owner needs to understand how to feed a castrated cat correctly, how to care for him, and what his needs are.
Why you need to review the diet of a neutered cat
Surgery is necessary to solve behavioral problems in the male. As a result, the active and sometimes overly aggressive furry becomes much calmer. Sometimes owners notice that the alpha male turns into a completely inert creature who prefers to spend a lot of time on the couch.
This is due to the fact that the removal of part of the reproductive organs entails a suspension of the production of sex hormones and a serious restructuring in the male’s body.
Changes also occur in the genitourinary system due to narrowing of the urethra. If the diet for castrated cats contains food with a large amount of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, then sand begins to form in the kidneys and urinary organs.
Having lost his masculine instinct, the mustache begins to look for another activity and finds it in rest and food. If the owner does not control the pet’s appetite, then the latter turns into a fat man with chronic diseases.
Natural food for animals
Veterinarians recommend switching castrated cats to special food, since owners cannot always choose the right products for the correct diet of their pet. It is not uncommon for owners to give their pets what they themselves eat. They do not know that many foods from the human table are harmful to the pet. They can even lead to severe chronic diseases.
Therefore, if the owner loves his cat, then he should cook for him separately. It's easy and won't take much time. What to feed a sterilized cat from homemade food? The basis of the diet is lean meat. You can buy beef, rabbit, horse meat, and turkey meat for your pet. If the cat is not allergic to chicken, then you can also offer him breast. High-quality fermented milk products are also beneficial for animals: fermented baked milk, kefir, unsweetened yogurt.
If your cat loves fruits, then sometimes you can treat him with a piece of apple. Every day, meat should be served with a vegetable side dish of squash, zucchini, pumpkin, and carrots. You can also add a small amount of porridge – buckwheat or rice – to the bowl. Since the owner will not be able to completely balance natural nutrition in terms of minerals and trace elements without special knowledge, he will need to purchase vitamins for cats. They can be purchased at a pet store or veterinary pharmacy.
Feeding a cat immediately after castration
It is important to consider not only what to feed, but also to monitor the portion size and frequency of feeding.
First postoperative day
On the first postoperative day, the cat should not be given food. But he must consume water in the amount necessary for him. After anesthesia, the pet experiences extreme thirst, but at first he has no appetite. After a few hours, you can give the fluffy a little low-fat kefir, weak beef or chicken broth.
The next day, the animal is offered its usual food, but better - pureed. You shouldn’t change your pet’s diet right away to avoid it experiencing additional stress.
First 3-4 days
For several days after castration, fatty foods should be removed from the fluffy's menu. So, delicious sour cream, fatty pieces of meat or fish are still prohibited. During this period, it is necessary to increase the amount of protein in the feed. Chicken or turkey fillets are best suited for this. If your cat eats store-bought food, it is better to buy him a dietary pate during rehabilitation.
Gradually it will be possible to transfer your pet to a new diet. If you do this right away, the cat may experience stress. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract due to the sudden introduction of new foods are also common.
Period after recovery
A pet that has fully recovered from surgery is accustomed not only to other foods, but also to a certain feeding regimen. He will begin to beg for tasty morsels more often and sit at the bowl waiting for more. Many owners follow the lead of the glutton and begin to feed him more and more often. But it's not right.
Neutered animals, due to their hormonal background, gain weight faster. A well-fed pet is most often affected by life-threatening pathologies such as diabetes and disorders of the cardiovascular system.
The nutrition of the mustache after surgery should not exceed the volumes that were before surgery. If your animal is constantly hungry, you should contact your veterinarian and review its diet.
What to choose – natural or industrial food?
There is no consensus among cat lovers and veterinarians about what type of feeding is best for a neutered cat. Dry mixtures and natural products have their positive and negative sides.
Pros and cons of dry food
Most owners prefer to switch their pets to dry kibble, as it is much more convenient - there is no need to waste time and energy on constant cooking. Other advantages of this type of nutrition:
- balanced composition - there are both meat and vegetable ingredients;
- ease of use - it’s easy to calculate the daily portion and dispense it in parts;
- the presence of vitamin and mineral supplements;
- Wide range of flavors – even a picky cat will find his favorite treat.
But there are also quite significant disadvantages:
- if you don’t know, you can buy a low-quality (for example, expired) product;
- lack of super-premium and holistic class goods in regular supermarkets - you need to go specifically to pet and veterinary stores;
- a capricious cat may get bored with different tastes, and will have to endlessly select different foods - and this is not very healthy.
Feeding low-quality industrial formulas will lead to the development of dangerous pathologies of internal organs even in a healthy pet. Therefore, you cannot save on feed.
Pros and cons of straight women
It is important to understand that human food is not suitable for cats. The owner will have to independently develop a balanced menu for his pet so that it includes all the necessary components to maintain his health.
The advantages of using natural oils include:
- confidence in the composition of the dish;
- variety of products for cooking;
- a more natural diet for a carnivorous animal.
But there are also disadvantages:
- difficult to balance the menu;
- the need for additional use of vitamin-mineral complexes, and after testing and consultation with a veterinarian;
- time and effort are wasted on preparing food.
Proponents of natural food talk about the cat’s natural need for protein foods of animal origin. Indeed, meat makes up the main part of the diet of a domestic carnivore, but its choice must also be approached responsibly.
The cost of feeding natural food and dry food is approximately the same. Therefore, owners are guided not by price, but by the feasibility of a particular type of food.
What can you feed your cat using natural food?
It is difficult to formulate a natural diet in such a way that your mustachioed friend receives a sufficient amount of useful elements. Most likely, you will have to contact a veterinarian.
Authorized Products
Proper nutrition for neutered cats should contain at least 50% protein products: beef, veal, turkey meat or offal. A cat's diet also needs carbohydrates. They can be added to dishes in the form of cereals, vegetables and fruits.
The best cereals for fluffies are buckwheat and rice. Vegetables are offered boiled and chopped. Such products help normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent the formation of constipation. However, grains and plant fibers should not be present in large quantities in a cat's diet because they are difficult to digest.
Fermented milk products with low fat content are useful for castrates. Cats happily eat sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese and kefir. Whole milk is not suitable for everyone due to lactose intolerance. You can give quail or chicken eggs no more than once a week.
Prohibited Products
For castrated males, there are a number of components that should not be part of their diet. They cause serious harm to health and contribute to the development of diseases.
First of all, food from the master's table is strictly prohibited for animals, because it contains salt, seasonings, preservatives and flavorings. You should not give your pet:
- fatty, smoked, fried meat;
- river fish, and it is better to exclude sea fish;
- flour products;
- sweets - even yoghurts;
- smoked, salted, pickled products;
- legumes and soybeans;
- sausages.
Not all cereals may be suitable for making porridge. For example, semolina and corn grits have a bad effect on the digestive system, as they pollute and clog the intestines. Pasta is not allowed in a castrato's diet. Pieces of sausage or other industrially produced meat delicacies should not be offered as treats.
What should you not give to cats?
Some owners feed cats from the common table, not realizing that they are causing irreparable harm to their health. Many foods simply cannot be given to animals. What can you feed a sterilized cat? Either with special dry food or balanced natural food.
List of prohibited products:
- semi-finished products;
- sweets, cookies, cakes;
- roast;
- salty;
- smoked meats
Also, veterinarians do not recommend giving fish to sterilized pets. It is believed that seafood can contribute to the development of urolithiasis in animals. Any products made from flour, such as bread, pies, and flatbreads, are prohibited. These foods lead to weight gain in cats.
Selection of dry and wet food
There are enough industrial dry and wet mixtures in pet stores to make a choice. Which of these can be fed to cats after castration is up to the owner to decide, but first you can take a closer look at the most popular products.
Royal Canin Neutered Adult Maintenance
This is a wet food from a well-known manufacturer, intended for sterilized animals up to 7 years old. The composition has a reduced carbohydrate content, which helps control weight.
Pro Plan Sterilized
Balanced dry food that fully meets the needs of your furry friend. It promotes urinary system health and maintains optimal weight. The granules are enriched with antioxidants, arginine and healthy fatty acids, which are vital for the domestic cat.
Brit Premium Sterilized
Dry granules intended for castrated and sterilized individuals. The products come in many flavors and contain prebiotics, brewer's yeast and fish oil. The presence of fruit extracts and medicinal herbs has a beneficial effect on the digestion and appearance of your pet.
Royal Canin Skin & Coat Formula
A product that can be given to cats with sensitive skin and coat problems. Contains B vitamins and histidine. This complex has a positive effect on the appearance and functioning of the digestive system of the domestic mustache.
CAT CHOW Sterilized
The line includes many flavors that will appeal to any picky eater. It contains a lot of protein, but the amount of carbohydrates is reduced - to prevent obesity. The products contain extracts of medicinal herbs and vegetables, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.
How to properly feed a neutered cat so that he does not gain weight
Due to changes in the hormonal system, castrates are more prone to obesity than others. A sedentary lifestyle also leads to this, because cats lose interest in active games.
Sometimes excess weight gain is associated with a breed predisposition. This is a genetic feature of Persian, British and other breeds. There are a number of signs that indicate obesity:
- saggy belly;
- excessive appetite;
- inability to palpate the spine and ribs.
The best prevention of weight problems is proper nutrition. It is important to refuse the glutton's requests for an additional portion or treat. The daily food intake should be divided into 3-4 times. This will allow the cat not to overeat and have time to spend the calories received.
Basic Tips
In order for the cat’s body to bear the consequences of hormonal changes as gently as possible, the main emphasis should be on wet food, reducing the amount of dry food. Soft, bulky foods have a “ballast” effect: they fill the stomach, making it feel full.
In addition, this way the pet’s body will receive much fewer calories per unit of food, which will help maintain the animal’s normal body weight. Keep in mind that the castrate's diet should include exclusively polyunsaturated fats (contained, in particular, in sea fish and chicken). Remember that regular lipids, as well as translipids, are a sure way to make your pet obese.
We remind you that under no circumstances should you completely exclude fats from the diet, as this will lead to dire consequences for the animal’s body.
If for some reason the cat has to be fed dry food, then it is advisable to divide the food into small portions, fed to the pet at regular intervals throughout the day. In this case, the food has time to be absorbed normally, and the released energy is processed during the animal’s active games.
Professional breeders sometimes resort to certain tricks. In particular, in pet stores you may find special toys that have compartments for dry food. They open only after the cat, for example, turns over or drops the toy a certain number of times. An interested pet will play with the “tasty” thing, burning extra calories along the way.
What food to feed a neutered cat to avoid urolithiasis
Neutered cats are more likely than other cats to suffer from problems with the genitourinary system. This is due to more concentrated urine and the fact that after surgery the animals defecate less frequently. Males also have a longer and narrower urethra, which predisposes them to certain pathologies.
As a result, salt crystals form, which eventually become sand or stones. They are very dangerous because they can move during urination, and because of this, partial or complete blockage of the urethra occurs, and consequently, injury to it.
The main symptoms of urolithiasis are:
- frequent and painful urination;
- the appearance of blood in the urine;
- constant desire to lick under the tail;
- atypical behavior (going to the toilet in the wrong place, lethargy, unmotivated aggression).
To prevent health problems, veterinarians recommend using a specialized type of food. They are selected according to the age and weight of the animal. The main condition for using medicinal mixtures is that they cannot be combined with natural food. In addition, the cat must have constant access to clean water.
Proponents of a natural menu for the prevention of urolithiasis add substances to the dish that can acidify it. The most commonly used juice is cranberry, lemon or ascorbic acid. Their use helps normalize urine pH levels, but only in very small doses and after consultation with a veterinarian.
Caring for a neutered cat
After the owner has figured out what can and cannot be fed to a castrated cat, the question of care and maintenance remains.
Obesity activity and prevention
An adult cat is no longer interested in active games and exploring unfamiliar objects. He prefers to lie on the sofa or on his owner's lap.
To prevent a mustache from recovering from a passive lifestyle, a person will have to make a number of efforts. First of all, your furry friend needs to be given more attention: involve him in games and running for something interesting within the apartment or house.
There are many devices to keep your pet interested. For example, pet stores sell special bowls that prevent you from eating the entire portion at once. To get a thorough meal, the couch potato will have to spend some time and some of the accumulated energy.
Daily regime
It has already been mentioned that the animal’s nutrition should be fractional. This will help your pet not to overeat and manage to waste calories. Between feedings, you cannot treat the glutton with delicacies and pieces from the master's table, even if he makes a painful appearance.
A mustachioed friend shouldn't feel lonely, so you need to spend more time with him. If he is used to walking on a harness, then you should not skip the walk time. This will offend the furry, and he will feel left out.
In the evening, it’s better to play properly with your tailed cat: exercise will improve his night’s sleep and help him throw out accumulated energy.
Routine vet visit
Every pet should visit a veterinarian at least once a year. During a routine examination, the doctor takes the patient’s blood and urine for tests, and also evaluates his general condition by appearance.
However, this regime of visits to the doctor is only suitable for healthy and young individuals. Elderly cats or cats suffering from chronic diseases should visit the clinic 2-3 times a year. Only in this case will the doctor be able to monitor the patient’s condition and prescribe timely treatment if needed.
Conclusion
Creating the right menu for a neutered cat is not a problem. If the owner cannot do this on his own, you can always contact your veterinarian for advice.
The article is a recommendation!
Changes that occur in your pet after sterilization
Many owners note that the cat has become calmer and more affectionate. If the pet has already begun to mark its territory, then after sterilization the unwanted behavior usually changes. Also, cats stop looking for a passion, don’t wake up their owners with screams at night, and begin to treat other representatives of their kind more calmly.
But sterilization is not just a means of correcting behavior and reducing the risk of some unpleasant diseases; it is an intervention in the hormonal balance of the animal. Therefore, after surgery, the cat’s metabolism may slow down, which will lead to obesity. But the owner can help the pet by playing with it more and choosing a balanced diet for the pet. What to feed a sterilized male cat? Before choosing a diet, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian, otherwise you may harm your pet’s health.
