As a new litter season comes around once again, Veterinary experts at Natures Menu have compiled a best practice guide to feeding your beloved kittens and cats.
Melanie Sainsbury, Natures Menu’s in-house veterinary nurse, answers the most commonly asked questions regarding feeding feline friends of all ages.
How do kittens’ nutritional needs differ from those of adult cats?
The main difference between kitten and cat diets is the overall number of calories, fat and protein needed. Just like human baby diets, kittens require more of the above to get them through the massive amounts of growth that they will be doing throughout the first year of their lives.
Cat food options are a lot more varied in flavour, with many available, helping adult cats to have a differing assortment of food available. From chicken to salmon, and beef to venison – aren’t they lucky?
How often should you feed a kitten compared to an adult cat?
The best thing to do with kittens is to feed them small meals, evenly and regularly across the day. This helps to provide the right balance between topping up their tummies and overfeeding. In terms of feeding frequency, we would recommend feeding your baby cats at least four times a day when they first come home, decreasing slowly to two meals when they reach six months old.
When they reach adulthood, opt for two meals a day – one at the beginning of the day, and one at the end. This allows cats to get into a routine that is more in line with their owners’ routines, whilst giving them a long period of time during the day to play, sleep and interact with other family members.
What ingredients do both kitten and cat foods need to contain?
Cats are true carnivores meaning they thrive on a diet of high meat because it provides them with many natural nutrients they need. Many cats supplement their diets by hunting small prey, such as birds and voles in the garden, which shows that a protein-rich meat is what cats naturally seek – feeding your cat a high meat diet is what nature intended.
Many cat foods, including Natures Menu Superfood Cat Pouches, include more than one type of meat in every meal, such as turkey and rabbit, duck and pheasant, and chicken and goose.
What foods should you avoid giving cats and kittens?
Many people believe that cats should be given milk, however, the lactose contained in cow’s milk is actually very difficult for cats to digest. If you wish to give milk as a treat, be sure to purchase specifically formulated ‘cat milk’. Cat milk should only be given as a treat or meal substitute, and fresh water should always be available in several locations throughout the house and garden.
Other toxic foods include onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, and raisins. The best thing to do is check with your preferred veterinarian if you are ever unsure or wary about certain foods. Better still, stick to the food that is designed for cats!
When / how should you switch from kitten to adult cat food?
Always check with your pet food manufacturer the ideal time to switch from kitten food onto adult cat food as ranges will vary. Cats don’t really care for change (we all know how stubborn a species they are), so make the transition as gradual as possible.
Melanie Sainsbury added: “Cats are, traditionally, one of the ‘wildest’ domesticated pets, meaning that they thrive off the most high-meat and natural foods. Because of their richly protein filled diets, it is incredibly important to make sure that kittens are properly introduced to appropriate food, followed by an effective transition onto adult food.”
For more information on Natures Menu and feeding a raw and natural diet for cats and kittens, visit www.naturesmenu.co.uk and search for ‘cat’.
