A cat in the house is not only the joy of communicating with a four-legged friend, but also a huge responsibility. Miniature predators, despite their independence and the legendary “9 lives,” are very fragile creatures that are susceptible to disease, so any owner must be attentive to their well-being. In addition to regular examinations by veterinarians to monitor health, the owner should pay attention to balanced feeding.
“Natural” or industrial feed?
The choice of food for pets today is very wide. Some owners believe that feeding cats only dry food can harm their health, so they prefer to treat their pets with natural food. But it is important to understand that table food is harmful to animals, as it contains salt and spices that are dangerous for the pet. Therefore, “natural” food should be prepared for your pet separately from human food and not contain various additives typical for human dishes. In addition, vitamins will need to be added to the animal’s diet. This requires certain skills and time, and many owners prefer to switch their furry friends to industrial food, since it is already fully balanced by manufacturers.
Which type of food should you choose - dry or wet?
Today, the industrial feed industry is growing rapidly. Brands offer a variety of types of both dry and canned food for cats. Owners prefer to purchase wet food, since it is more reminiscent of natural food, and “crackers” are not associated with normal food by most consumers. In fact, it is more important to pay attention to the composition of the food, since canned food may contain significantly less meat than kibble and may not provide any benefit to your pet.
It is also important to take into account the condition of the animal itself. Therefore, whether cats can be fed only dry food depends on their well-being and physical characteristics. For example, for young healthy individuals, granules are a completely suitable option, but it is better to give soft pate to small kittens, as well as to sick, weakened and old animals.
...and how to do it
Cats are naturally endowed with self-esteem and tact. Therefore, if you accustom her to the correct feeding regimen, then your pet will not have to fight for “survival.” Satisfied and well-fed, she will never beg for food or, even worse, “steal” food or “inspect” trash cans. To ensure normal, nutritious nutrition for your handsome tailed cat, consider three rules.
- Daily norm. The weight of the required feed depends on the body weight of the animal. For 1 kg of live weight take 30-60 g of food. If the daily norm is calculated taking into account the energy value, then the following ratio is used: per 1 kg - 60-70 kcal. The dosage of the food is written on the packaging. Therefore, do not forget to compare the results obtained with the recommended norm.
- Water mode. Your pet should always have access to clean water. Don't forget to change it periodically. And be sure to watch the amount you drink. Low water consumption is a strong signal to visit the veterinarian.
- End of the meal. After serving a bowl of food, wait 15-20 minutes. This time is enough for the cat to be completely satisfied. Remove the bowl even if the animal has not eaten everything. Further eating, regarded as “lazy”, is no longer satisfying hunger, but overeating, leading to obesity.
Myths and truths about industrial feed
Veterinarians and breeders advise feeding your pets ready-made food, as it contains all the necessary substances for their full life. Manufacturers offer various types of prepared food for animals. Is it possible to feed cats only dry food? Will this be harmful to health? These questions are asked by many owners of tailed friends.
There are several myths about industrial feeds. One of them says that granules can cause diseases of the genitourinary system in cats. This is partly true, but the development of urolithiasis is provoked not by “drying” itself, but by poor nutrition and lack of water. Cheap food, irregular and infrequent drinking, as well as table food are the main causes of problems with the genitourinary system in a pet. If you treat him with high-quality food, provide constant access to fluids and regularly visit a specialist, then he should not develop such diseases.
Another common belief is that industrial food causes allergies in the pet and makes the coat dull and brittle. Here everything also depends on the quality of the feed. Super-premium and holistic foods, on the contrary, do not contain substances that can provoke such reactions. And the special additives included in the composition help the animal maintain health and excellent appearance for many years.
Also, many believe that various wastes are used in the production of granules and canned food, for example, bones, hooves, tumors, and animal corpses. However, companies producing high-quality food, super-premium class and higher, care about their reputation and make “dried” and canned food only from meat and do not add aromatic and flavoring components.
Feeding principles
Good dry food contains all the necessary components to maintain health and replenish your pet's energy reserves. Owners who have chosen this type of feeding must follow several basic rules:
- do not mix “drying”, pates or homemade dishes in one bowl;
- provide the cat with sufficient drinking regime, since the pet must consume at least 20 ml of water for every kilogram of weight;
- do not change the type of feeding and brand of food unless necessary;
- Follow the daily intake of granules indicated on the packaging.
Everyone loves to eat.
A cat should eat according to a schedule, the number of meals per day depends on the age of the pet: kittens aged 3-4 months eat four times, 5-6 - three times a day. After six months, babies should gradually be transferred to an adult, two-times-a-day regimen.
It is optimal because the cat is an obligate (obligate) predator. Her digestive system is designed to digest animal protein. The process takes 10-12 hours. The digestion time of high-quality dry food is as close to natural as possible, so the specified interval between meals must be observed. Pregnant and lactating females should be fed three times a day.
Provided that these rules are followed, “drying” has many advantages. The main ones:
- convenience and ease of use;
- the ability to control caloric intake;
- enrichment with vitamins and microelements;
- long shelf life;
- taste attractive to pets;
- stable functioning of the digestive tract.
The disadvantages of “crackers” are their low water content and the presence of a huge number of poor quality products on the market.
Rules for choosing dry food
When choosing commercial food for your pet, you can consult a veterinarian. He will tell you, taking into account the characteristics of the animal, which ready-made food is best to purchase. Also, recommendations from experienced breeders on the relevant sites will not be superfluous. They will be happy to give advice on choosing the right diet.
When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the composition of dry food. Cats are carnivorous animals, and their diet must contain a lot of meat. In super premium and holistic lines, this ingredient ranks first in the list of ingredients.
It is necessary to take into account the preferences of the animal itself. If Murka does not eat turkey, then it is unlikely that he will chew “drying” based on it with pleasure.
The condition of the animal itself is also important here. Many people are interested in whether it is possible to give dry food to a nursing cat. If she ate it before, then, of course, yes, you just need to increase the portion or purchase granules of the same brand, designed for the needs of a “young mother.”
After castration of an animal, the owner should reconsider the pet’s diet, because what the pet ate before the operation can cause problems after the operation. Owners often ask if it is possible to feed a sterilized cat dry food. Of course you can, especially if she has eaten industrial food before. But now you need to purchase ready-made food designed for castrated animals; it is balanced specifically for their needs and contains everything they need for a full life.
Types of dry food
Pet stores offer a wide range of industrial food in different price categories. Many buyers prefer to buy inexpensive brands, hoping to save money. However, this is not entirely true. The fact is that budget granules contain fewer meat ingredients, and to get enough food, a cat needs a larger portion than super premium food. Calculations by experienced owners show that, despite the higher cost, such “drying” is consumed more economically, and thus costs less than inexpensive food.
All food presented in specialized stores is divided into 4 classes:
Economy class are well-known brands that can be purchased not only in pet stores, but also in regular supermarkets, for example “Wiskas”, “Kitikat” and others. Their composition is quite poor, such food contains practically no useful substances, and whether it is possible to feed cats only dry food of this level is a big question.
Premium food already contains a small amount of meat and nutrients. Today these include Royal Canine and Hills. Is it possible to feed a cat only dry food from these manufacturers? After production moved to Russia, many complain that the quality of food has dropped, because previously these brands were classified as super-premium. Therefore, if the animal is completely healthy, then such granules can be given, but it is better to consider options of a higher level.
Super-premium - contain many natural ingredients, they are almost completely free of chemicals and flavoring additives. True, animals do not eat them very willingly, since they do not contain aromatic components. These include ProNature Holistic, Profine Adult Cat. However, veterinarians and breeders give a positive answer to the question whether it is possible to feed a cat dry food constantly.
Holistic breeds are known mainly only among breeders. These are brands Orijnen, Acana. Such granules are produced only from natural ingredients without the addition of preservatives and enhancers. The cost of food is very high, but they are completely harmless to pets and help them maintain health and beauty for many years.
Which one is better?
All dry food is divided into four classes:
- economy;
- premium;
- super premium;
- holistic.
This gradation is not officially approved; it is often used by manufacturers to raise the prestige of their products. When choosing “drying”, experienced owners pay attention primarily to the composition of the feed, and not its class.
Kitty cat
Economy
The first group includes products sold in supermarkets:
- Whiskeys;
- Kitekat;
- Friskies;
- Darling;
- Felix;
- Cat Chow;
- Sheba;
- Perfect Fit;
- ProTail;
- Our brand and others like it.
They attract owners with low prices, bright packaging and active television advertising. However, such food is useless for animals, and if consumed continuously for a long time, it is extremely harmful.
Having carefully read the composition of an economy class product, you can find out that meat and offal in their composition account for only about 15%. Moreover, this category includes all waste from the meat industry (horns, hooves, beaks, intestines with their contents, blood, etc.). The bulk of cheap feed comes from cereals, vegetable fats, and processed vegetable products. These components will not add health to your pet. The main harm is caused by various chemical dyes, preservatives, and flavoring additives. The latter explain the high degree of habituation to low-quality food of usually selective cats.
This composition “hits” the internal organs of a small predator. Irreversible consequences occur in the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and stomach. There are quite a lot of owners who claim that their pet has been eating cheap food for many years and everything is fine with it. Veterinarians say this is a temporary effect. The consequences of constant consumption of such feed are inevitable. They don't always come right away. In animals with strong immunity, they may be delayed, but improper nutrition will definitely affect the life expectancy of your furry pet.
Royal Canin
Premium
These foods differ from the economy version in a better composition, but this is also not an ideal option for adequate nutrition for a cat.
This group includes products from such brands as:
- Royal Canin;
- Hills;
- Pro Plan;
- Organix, Happy Cat;
- Schesir;
- Night Hunter;
- Nero Gold and others.
In addition to offal, they contain meat, but not much of it. Premium food also contains a lot of grains, but also contains vegetables, eggs, and vitamins (the packaging indicates which ones and in what quantities). The content of harmful synthetic additives and soy is minimal. The downside is the lack of information about what specific preservatives were used in production.
It is worth noting that the composition of premium food varies greatly (even in the lines of the same manufacturer). This allows you to choose a completely acceptable product at an affordable price.
Landor
Super premium
This category includes high quality products. Breeders consider super-premium feed to be optimal in terms of price-quality ratio.
The most famous brands in this group:
- 1st Choice;
- Bozita;
- Landor;
- Savarra;
- Brit Care;
- Leonardo;
- Vet Life.
They contain the bulk of the composition of natural meat, vegetables, seeds, oils, and herbs. There are few cereals, the manufacturer chose the most suitable for cats (barley, rice, oats). Natural substances are used as preservatives, without “chemicals”. The feed components are varied.
Akana
Holistic
Products of the highest quality are produced under the following brands:
- Acana;
- Grandorf;
- Orijen;
- Wildcat;
- Applaws;
- Farmina N&D;
- Go Natural;
- Nutram.
The share of natural, dehydrated meat in holistic foods reaches 80%. Also in the composition of different types of food there are: fish, vegetables, oils, fruits, fats, berries, vitamin supplements. There are practically no grains, some have a little rice. Products for such feed are grown in environmentally friendly areas.
Some companies (such as Champion PetFoods) produce products according to the WholePrey principle. The uniqueness of the development lies in the fact that the food is as close as possible to that obtained by a predator in its natural environment. To do this, not only muscle fibers of meat are added to the feed, but also cartilage, entrails, etc.
Holistic formulas are by far the best option for constant feeding of cats, but they are quite expensive.
Medicinal foods should be included in a separate group. They are intended for individuals with various chronic diseases. They can only be given to cats as prescribed by a veterinarian!
Transfer to dry food
The transition to dry food should be smooth and not cause stress to the animal. Professionals recommend adding granules to your cat’s usual diet, gradually increasing their quantity. On average, this procedure will take from 10 to 15 days.
For example, on the first day add 15 granules to your food. If the cat refuses to eat them, then the “drying” can be crushed and mixed with regular food. Some owners recommend soaking the granules; this advice is more suitable for small kittens.
Particularly picky people may refuse food if a little industrial food is mixed into it. In this case, you need to be firm, remove the food and try to offer it a few hours later, when the animal is hungry.
It is important to understand that when a cat is completely switched to dry food, she should not be given anything from the table, as this can cause irreparable harm to her digestive system.
The importance of water
When feeding pelleted diets, it is important to give your pet enough water. Lack of fluid leads to diseases of the genitourinary system.
If a cat refuses to drink water, dry food is contraindicated. You should consult your doctor for advice and choosing the right nutrition system.
Some pets do not want to drink water from a bowl and require tap water or drink from a can. You should not prohibit your animal from using such methods of obtaining liquid. The only contraindication is water from the bathroom, where you can pick up germs and be poisoned by detergents.
For restless pets, it is recommended to purchase a drinking fountain. Animals like running water, some like to play with the stream of liquid. In any case, the desire for clean drinking water should be encouraged, especially in animals that eat dry food.
How to feed dry food correctly?
It is better not to change the chosen diet. Animals don't have as developed taste buds as humans, so they don't need a lot of variety. Therefore, when asked whether it is possible to feed a cat different dry foods, many professionals give a negative answer.
Pellet-fed animals must have constant and unlimited access to fresh water. If an animal drinks little fluid, there is a risk of developing urolithiasis.
Some owners feel sorry for their pet, who is forced to eat only “crackers” and pamper them with canned food. Is it possible to feed a cat only premium dry food or any other type and sometimes treat them to spiders? There is no clear opinion here. Some experts believe that it is absolutely impossible, since the cat’s stomach does not have time to rebuild. Some people don’t see anything wrong with this, but advise giving canned food of the same brand as dry food.
You must also follow the dosage indicated on the package. However, it is important to understand that the amount of food depends on the condition of the animal.
Very often, owners with several pets ask whether it is possible to feed their cat dry dog food. Veterinarians and manufacturers are categorically against such nutrition. Murki and Shariki are completely different species, and their needs are different. Of course, if a cat eats a few pellets from its four-legged companion, nothing bad will happen to it. But if you constantly feed her food intended for dogs, the health consequences can be unpredictable.
Feeding a cat with kidney failure dry food
Feeding a cat with kidney failure is necessary with special types of food - holistic. They allow you to reduce the amount of protein and urea in the body, reducing the load on the kidney structures.
The basis of feed for kidney failure is corn grits and soy protein. Feeding a cat with chronic kidney failure leads to the onset of intoxication as a result of incomplete removal of protein breakdown products.
The nutritional and energy value of this type of food is due to the vitamin and mineral complexes contained in corn flour, sugar beet pulp, fish oil and chicken extract. It is recommended to feed a cat with this food so that it gains weight if it is underweight or exhausted.
Owner reviews
Owners who prefer to give their tailed pet dry food write very different reviews.
Many are satisfied with industrial food, as it saves time, and the owner himself is confident that his ward receives everything she needs. And therefore, when asked whether it is possible to feed cats only dry food, the answer is yes. The animal looks good and feels great. However, there are also opponents of “drying”. In their opinion, it causes addiction in pets and also provokes various diseases. This is possible because some granules contain strong flavoring and aromatic components that force the cat to absorb only them. To prevent your animal from becoming a “drug addict,” experts recommend purchasing super-premium and holistic foods, since they are completely natural.
The main disease that manifests itself in cats who prefer “crackers” is urolithiasis. The risk of its occurrence is higher in castrated animals. However, for a cat to be healthy, he needs to drink a lot, so the owner must provide him with this opportunity.
Mr. Cat recommends: the pros and cons of different types of nutrition
There are two types of food for feeding pets: natural and industrial. Among breeders and veterinarians there are adherents of each species, and it is difficult to say which diet is healthier and more correct. Of course, we are talking about good super premium or holistic food. If the funds allow you to feed your cat only economy or not very high-quality premium, then it is better to stick to natural food.
Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages and everyone will choose the most acceptable diet for their pet.
| Advantages | Flaws |
| Natural | |
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| Industrial | |
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Each owner knows the characteristics of his pet, food preferences, and attitude to water. The most common problem with dry-fed animals is insufficient fluid intake. These cats are usually fed wet foods of the same brand.
Bottom line
There is no clear opinion in favor of one type of nutrition or another.
Some people prefer to feed the animal the old fashioned way, from the table. Some people “work magic” in the kitchen and create a completely balanced meal for their pets on their own. But the majority still purchase industrial food, since it is completely tailored to the needs of the tailed beauty. When choosing the type of feeding, it is important to consider your capabilities and the desires of your pet. If you want to cook Murka separately, then fine. If you don’t have the time and energy to create masterpieces of cat cooking, then it is better to purchase ready-made food, but always of good quality.
