How to feed British cats?

The British cat breed was bred by humans. Like all artificially synthesized species, they have low immunity and complete dependence on people. That is why representatives of the British breed need special care and diet. In the first days of life, the kitten feeds exclusively on mother's milk, and from the third week, complementary feeding begins. In the future, the list of products is expanding and by one year, the pet completely switches to nutrition for adults 2 times a day.

A further change in diet will occur at an advanced age, after 8–9 years of life, or if your pet is overweight. Experienced breeders know that for British cats, the best food is natural food. However, in the modern world, with its rooted rhythm of life, this often takes a lot of time, so the combination of wet and dry food with natural products is optimal. Let's look at all the feeding options in more detail.

The basic requirements for natural products should be considered. Find out what is possible for the British, and what is strictly prohibited. You will learn a description of the products that cats over one year old enter into the diet and what treats you can pamper your pet with.

In the natural habitat, all cats are predators, so the basis of the diet is meat. Choose low-fat varieties, such as beef, rabbit, farm chicken. Never use pork. Its excess fat and calorie content will quickly lead to obesity in your pet. The meat is fresh. To avoid infection with various parasites, this product must be frozen for 24 hours. After defrosting, it is best to make stuffing. For the smallest, pass the meat through a meat grinder 2 times so that its consistency is more tender.

Before serving a treat to your pet, you must pour meat over boiling water. Since the food takes on a look similar to canned food, it will be easier for the Briton to eat it. Meat should be present daily in the cat's diet. If you want to diversify the taste of your pet, you can add offal: heart, liver, lungs.

British cats are not averse to indulging in tasty fish. Choose sea and ocean representatives. Do not take river fish, as there are many small bones in it that can damage the pet. Peel the carcass of the scales and form a filet. Be sure to remove all the bones. Dip the slices in boiling water for 10-15 minutes and cool them. Fish is given about 2-3 times a week.

Cereals contain the necessary complex carbohydrates, as well as B vitamins, so their inclusion in the diet is considered mandatory. Cats willingly eat buckwheat, oat, rice, barley groats. They are pre-boiled in slightly salted water.

A varied menu of your pet is the key to a long and healthy life. Vegetables help restore the lack of vitamins and carbohydrates. You should be aware that the use of potatoes, onions, and herbs is strictly prohibited. Cats eat well different types of cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini, as well as carrots and beets. Vegetables should be included in the diet about 3-4 times a week.

Whole cow milk is given by kittens for up to one year. Older individuals do not need it, as it often causes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, dairy products are an indispensable source of calcium and animal protein. Include kefir, cream, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese without additional ingredients in the form of sweeteners, fruit slices, preservatives. All this should have a low fat content. On average, dairy products are needed 2-3 times a week. From additional products give a yolk of chicken or quail eggs, greens in the form of fresh grass. It can be grown independently or purchased at a veterinary pharmacy.

Feed manufacturers today have created several food lines. For British cats, premium feeds are used: Bosch, Innova Evo, Royal Canin (foreign production), Hill's, Iams Cat, Orijen, Acana, Farmina, Go, Optimal, Pro Plan - and other dry foods daily. Canned meat must be selected by age. And you can also use baby food “Agusha”, “Grandmother's basket”, “Theme”. Preserves choose the same manufacturer as the main feed. Experienced breeders do not recommend a combination of natural and dry feed.

The basis of the diet can be both natural and dry food. In some cases, a combination is possible. Remember that when breastfeeding, you must additionally give fresh grass or special fiber. There are no problems with the use of industrial feed with cat food. Many are exactly why they transfer their pets to such a menu. However, cats are much more accustomed to natural food.

Do not worry, which is too difficult, because at home it is very simple to make a tasty menu and feed the cats of the British breed. The diet includes allowed foods, pamper the pet with his favorite dishes.

Cats that are older than one year old eat 2 times a day. At the same time, meat or offal is given at each meal.Combined with vegetables 3-4 times: pumpkin, carrots, various types of cabbage, or with cereals 3-4 times a week: buckwheat, barley, oat. Be sure to weekly receive sea fish, it is advisable to use fillets. Once a day give fresh grass or dry fiber. Natural herbs are crushed with a blender.

You should not give milk, but various sour-milk products will become an exquisite dish for your Briton. Do not give your cats baked goods, chocolate, and various confectionery sweets. Fruits should be included in the diet no more than once a week. Vitamins and minerals are given only with the permission of the veterinarian. Most often they are required in the spring.

Pregnancy is a very important period in the life of every British cat. It is very important to maintain the correct menu, while avoiding excess calorie content. If you systematically overfeed your pet, this will lead to a large growth of kittens and to the fact that complications can occur during childbirth. Do not give vitamins, their excessive accumulation in the cat's body can also damage kittens.

Remember that the older the cat, the less it moves, therefore, the calorie intake should be reduced in order to prevent the development of obesity. If you feed your pet dry food, transfer it to a special line for seniors. Such a power system is available from the manufacturer Hill's. When breastfeeding, consult your veterinarian for a competent transition to dry food. If you do not want to do this, then reduce the amount of animal fats in the pet’s menu, while increasing the amount of vegetables, herbs, fiber.

Such representatives of the British are very lazy and inactive, which must be taken into account in choosing a pet's diet. If you decide to use dry food, then just choose the right product line from your favorite manufacturer. When feeding with natural products, you need to reduce the amount of fatty foods. Introduce an additional portion of fish and dairy products into the diet. From meat, use beef, chicken, rabbit. Watch carefully that the pet does not begin to gain weight.

For a competent diet, you should know the list of prohibited foods, which will help not harm your pet. The use of the following products is strictly prohibited:

• fresh meat;
• pork is a too fatty product rich in pathogens;
• river fish, as it contains small bones that can injure;
• milk;
• onions, potatoes and herbs - contain substances toxic to cats;
• confectionery;
• salted, smoked products;
• dry food, canned food, preserves of manufacturers Whiskas, KiteKat, Friskies, since they use cheap products that turn into carcinogens during processing.

These foods can not be fed to the British, as this will immediately affect their health, can lead to obesity and infection by bacteria. Do not feed your favorites with human food. Salted or smoked ingredients will cause disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

The main advice you can hear from veterinarians is not to overfeed your Britons. Calorie content of 300 kcal per day provides physical activity, well-being, does not allow overfeeding a pet. It is necessary to clearly maintain a balance between proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as micronutrients to maintain the health and development of the cat. Remember, in addition to quality food, your pet should always have access to clean water.. Use a separate bowl; water should be changed at least once a day.It is best if it is a liquid purified through a filter. But boiled water is not recommended, because it lacks important elements.

Do not get involved in vitamins and food additives. Dry feed is already enriched with the necessary substances. When breastfeeding, it is most often recommended that vitamins be taken in the spring or during illness. The most commonly prescribed drug is Kitzim. It is based on brewer's yeast and contains a complete list of B vitamins, as well as some minerals: calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese. Well-fed representatives of the British breed, veterinarians immediately put on a diet.

For information on how to feed British cats, see the next video.