How to Feed the Cat

If we have got a kitty from a litter or another owner, when we take him home he must have at least 8 weeks of age and be completely weaned. Most of the kitties still weaning between 3 and 4 weeks, must get dry little balls or tinned humid food of those sold in shops. On taking the kitty home, it is necessary to still give him the same food: a sudden change could confuse him and provoke him stomach troubles. Until he is 3 months old, the kitty needs four light meals a day, but when he turns 6 months old, we will have to reduce the meals to two meals, increasing the quantity in each one. It is possible to leave the kitty some dry food in order for him to eat when he wants; but we must be sure to feed him at exact hours, it is easier to know if he eats very much or little.

The needs of calories of a kitty increase suddenly; from 250-400 calories when 2-4 months until 425-500 calories when 4-5 months, raising up to 600 calories when 5 and 6 months.

After a few weeks, if we want to change the diet of the kitty, it is necessary to introduce the new food little by little, mixing portions with the new meal, increasing it every time with the previous diet. It is not neccesary to give the kitten milk; a branded diet specially made for kitties provides the quantity of calcium and other minerals that he needs every day for a healthy development.

A balanced diet
The young cats have the same need of animal proteins than the adults, because they are essential for a healthy growth and development. But some owners of cats make the mistake of feeding their kitties exclusively with great quantity of red meat with the idea of all those more proteins, better.This can be dangerous: an exclusive diet of red lean meat provokes deficiencies of calcium and vitamins the same as a diet only based on fish. If one gives them too much liver, they would get digestive problems.

The best way of feeding a kitty with a balanced diet is to give him ready made food of a commercial brand, which has all the nourishing substances needed. It is always necessary to follow label instructions, specially if branded dry food is used. The best thing is to give him a diet specially done for small kitties or young cats, according to the age. It can be obtained in the veterinarian or in the good shops of pets.

It is possible that, occasionally, we might want to complement the diet of the kitty with home made food, but it is necessary to do it not so often, because if we feed him this way more than 25% of the times, the diet is unbalanced. And it can also make the kitty capricious to eat. A suitable banquet can consist of small pieces of fish, chicken or eggs cooked, mixed with a few of boiled rice or with pasta. Never give the kitty meat or raw fish.

Q/A My kitty, Little Boll, is always hungry. Can I give him anything he wants to eat?

No. Verify the instructions of the canned food that you are using and make sure that it is a sufficient quantity for the age and weight of the kitty. It is possible that the treatment has neglected antiworms of the animal. In a kitty, the increase of appetite is a symptom of worms. If still hungry and you don't know the reasons, ask the veterinarian to examine the animal.

I am in my work almost the whole day, Can I use an automatic feeding-place for my kitty Max?

Yes, providing that you have verified that it works well and that your kitty knows how to obtain his food. However, if you put dry food, the kitty can eat when he wants. Providing that it is replaced daily, it is not necessary to have an automatic feeding-place. Make sure the animal has clean water always at hand.

Is it preferable to feed the kitten with special food for kitties than the one made at home?

In most of the cases, yes. As its composition is done for the growth and has the suitable balance of nourishing substances, you can be sure that the food of your kitty is absolutely not deficient. As much of the food prepared at home is for adult cats can complement with nourishing substances and additional vitamins; but this is complicated and gives place to mistakes.

Champagne, our Siamese kitty, likes to eat the food given to our Labrador dog very much. Can we also feed her with it? Can it harm her?

I am afraid yes. The food for dogs has a very small quantity of torisina, that is an essential amino acid for the cats: without it, they can have visual or heart problems. It is a long term risk: problems can be arising between 6 and 12 months, while the cat finishes his reserves of torisina. Besides that, the cats need many more proteins than dogs, therefore his general development can remain affected. I advise you, if you can, to keep Champagne far from your dog's food.