Increasingly, cat lovers are choosing representatives of the Scottish breed. Such cats have a calm character and become a good friend to the family. But before you get a new pet, you should learn the rules of caring for it. Many people mistakenly assume that caring for a Scottish cat will be no different from caring for a regular cat. But purebred cats have their own nuances in care and nutrition, and if they are not followed, the pet may experience serious health problems. Therefore, when choosing food, it is better to give preference to high-quality food, where manufacturers have balanced all the necessary nutrients and vitamins required by a representative of this breed.
The best food for adult Scottish cats
As you grow older, your needs change and you have to switch to other foods. Veterinarians recommend paying attention to options of at least super premium class. As a last resort, you can temporarily buy premium food, but it is better to avoid the cheapest brands. Good food should contain at least 26-30% animal protein. Plant-based foods are acceptable, but undesirable - they are less digestible. Among carbohydrates, it is better to give preference to components such as rice and legumes - corn and wheat are not so healthy and sometimes cause allergies. Based on these requirements, we included five quality brands in the food rating for adult Scottish cats.
Feeding inoculation
For the first month of its life, a kitten feeds on its mother's milk, so it receives all the necessary minerals and vitamins that are necessary for proper development. But there are times when mother's milk is not enough, in which case you can feed with cow's milk or a special formula. As early as a month, you can gradually introduce meat, fish or cottage cheese. If the owner plans to feed the baby with store-bought food, then the norm indicated by the manufacturer should be followed.
So, the diet of Scottish Folds should include meat, fish, cereals, vegetables and dairy products. If we talk about meat, then beef or poultry is suitable here. Pork or lamb, due to their fat content, will have a bad effect on the digestive system of the Scots. The meat should be boiled, but occasionally it is allowed to serve it raw, but before that it must be treated with boiling water. The fish must be from the sea, and it can only be given boiled. Before this, all bones must be removed so that the pet does not choke. From cereals you can give rice or oatmeal, you can also add a boiled egg there. Many Scottish Folds are not averse to eating vegetables. This will be an additional source of nutrients. You can also grow special herbs at home. If we talk about dairy products, they should only be given to kittens. Adult cats do not digest lactose well.
If the owner decides to give the cat only homemade food, then he should additionally buy vitamins. They can be purchased at any veterinary pharmacy. If the animal eats specialized food, then it does not need additional vitamins.
What types of food are there?
First of all, cat food can be divided into three groups according to the type of production. The first group includes dry food. This product resembles crackers. They are quite easy to feed your pet, but you need to have a large amount of water. It is suitable for daily nutrition, and it will also help remove plaque from your cat’s teeth. Dry food from trusted manufacturers contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. In addition, such food can be left in a bowl for a long time without fear that the food will become unsuitable for eating.
Wet food is a cross between canned food and dry food. Pieces of this food are impregnated with a special sauce. Typically, such a product is produced in portions.
Well, the third type is canned food. It is made from natural raw materials and packaged in sealed jars. Canned food can be stored for a long time before opening, but after opening it is recommended to consume it as soon as possible. Also, after opening, the remaining product should be placed in glass containers to avoid oxidation.
In addition, cat food is divided into classes. The budget option includes economy class products. These foods are made from soy protein, animal by-products and grains. They come in a variety of flavors, such as fish, poultry or beef. This is obtained by adding dyes and flavors. But there is very little natural protein in such foods.
The next class is middle. Such foods are made from higher quality by-products and will not contain flavorings or dyes. Such foods differ not only in taste, but can also have a special purpose, for example, to promote wool removal.
Third class – premium products. Here, manufacturers use only natural and high-quality raw materials, and no by-products are added here. The content of cereal fillers is minimized or completely absent. Also, such food is additionally enriched with various vitamins and minerals, so the pet will not need additional supplements. Premium food differs not only by age category, but there are also foods developed for a special breed of cat. At the same time, manufacturers pay attention not only to the necessary components for a particular breed, but even form special granules, taking into account the anatomical characteristics of each breed.
The fourth class is holistic or super premium class. Feeds of this class are made not just from natural products, but from products that have passed the certification process. Such a product may contain raw meat of various varieties, vegetables, and a complex of vitamins and minerals. In most cases, such feed is transported and stored frozen.
How to choose good food
When entering a pet store, the buyer is faced with shelves with a variety of food from various manufacturers. They all have attractive packaging, but differ in price. An ignorant person will easily get confused in the choice. Therefore, to begin with, it is better to decide on the class of food. Economy or middle class products are not suitable for Scottish folds and Scottish straights. From them, cats will develop diseases of the digestive or urinary system. Therefore, it is better to take holistic or premium food. Typically, breeders make recommendations for a specific brand of food.
But still, buyers often note that many manufacturers' product quality decreases over time. Therefore, it is better to carefully study the composition. A high-quality food will have meat in the first place. If instead of “meat” it says corn or meat flour or rice, then it is better not to buy such a product. After this, you need to look at the amount of vitamins and minerals in a particular product. This parameter should be controlled depending on the characteristics of the animal and the presence of diseases.
If the pet is sterilized or neutered, then manufacturers here produce special food. Their distinctive feature is lower calorie content and more fiber in the composition. This is due to the fact that such animals become less active, but the use of regular food is also allowed, but its quantity should be reduced. Otherwise, the pet will suffer from excess weight. You should also pay more attention to such animals and try to attract them to active pastime.
Menu for kittens
A Scottish kitten should be fed in the same way as kittens of other breeds. The baby will begin to feed independently at the age of two months. It is not recommended to take it away from the cat before this time. If you get a kitten under eight weeks old, you will have to feed it with baby formula.
During the first few weeks of self-feeding, kittens eat very frequently. There should be no more than two hours between meals. Gradually the gap between lunches will increase. At the age of 3 months, the kitten eats 3-5 times a day and is absolutely happy with it.
When choosing the type of food for a kitten, keep in mind that this food will be the main one in its adult life. If you plan to feed an adult animal with ready-made food, then accustom your baby to the chosen brand right away, so as not to stress him later when changing his diet.
Combined nutrition
A combination of industrial and natural food, called a mixed or combined diet, is not the best option for feeding Scottish Straight kittens. When combining different products, various adverse effects are possible:
- metabolic disorders;
- disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- chronic diseases of the digestive system.
The only acceptable combination option is the use of dry, semi-moist and wet food when choosing a ready-made diet.
Products not recommended for Scots
In order for your furry pet to have good immunity and live a truly long life, it is important not only to organize its menu correctly, but also, which is very important, not to treat it with the following list:
- Citruses. Eating them may cause nausea and serious poisoning.
- Coffee and sweet products. Scottish Folds are also susceptible to dental disease and excess weight, so it is best to avoid sweets.
- Bones. They disrupt the functioning of the intestines and are not absorbed at all.
- Dog food. It was developed for other animals, so eating it in cats can cause heart and vascular disease.
- Fatty dishes. Scottish Folds have a weak liver, so pig meat, offal and oils can lead to disastrous results. It is worth trying to avoid this rather than treating your pet for illnesses in the future.
- And finally, cat vitamin preparations should not be replaced with those for humans, since this contributes to kidney and liver diseases.
In addition, before you start taking a course of medications, you should have your Scottish Fold examined by a good veterinarian, which will help you understand what it is missing and correctly think through a set of supplements.
It was possible to make sure that choosing the right food for good immunity of Scottish Fold babies is quite simple; these cats are not capricious. However, it is worth consulting in advance with a felinologist specializing in diets for cats. He will be able to develop a diet that is best for a particular individual.
Owners must not forget that they are responsible for the well-being of their pets and the quality of food is very important.
Breed Features
To provide a comfortable existence for a furry pet, choose a diet and nutritional systems, owners must have an idea and know the characteristics of the breed.
Scottish Straight cats are one of the most popular breeds. They quickly become attached to members of their family, need affection, attention and are happy to share the interests of their beloved owner. They do not like to be alone for a long time. Prolonged separation from a beloved owner can cause stress.
Despite the well-developed hunting instinct, representatives of the breed are somewhat phlegmatic and even lazy. Although up to a year old, inquisitive kittens learn about the world around them with interest and are quite active.
The Scots are absolutely not vindictive. They don’t do it out of spite, but they can be offended by the owner for a long time due to disrespectful attitude. Cats do not tolerate rudeness or careless boorish behavior.
Scottish kittens can be considered one of the easiest breeds to care for and maintain. Take care of your pet’s hygiene, think over its diet, pay attention to health (vaccination, deworming), purchase everything necessary for a favorable life for your cat.
Scots get along well with children and get along well with other pets, especially if they grow up together. Kittens quickly adapt to new living conditions.
With proper care and a balanced diet, straight-eared Scottish cats live 14-16 years.
