Can cats only eat dry food twice a day?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

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 prone to diseases, so any owner should be attentive to their well-being. In addition to regular check-ups with veterinarians to monitor he alth, 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 only dry cat food can be harmful to their he alth, so they prefer to treat their pets to natural food. But it is important to understand that food from the table is harmful to animals, as it contains s alt and spices, whichdangerous for the pet. Therefore, "natural" should be prepared for a pet separately from human food and not contain various additives that are typical for human dishes. In addition, vitamins will need to be added to the animal's diet. This takes some skill and time, and many owners choose to switch their furry friends to industrial food, as it is already fully balanced by manufacturers.

Which type of food to choose - dry or wet?

Today, the industrial feed industry is growing rapidly. Brands offer a variety of types of both "drying" and canned food for cats. Owners prefer to purchase wet food, as it is more reminiscent of natural food, and "crackers" are not associated with normal food for most consumers. In fact, it is more important to pay attention to the composition of the food, since canned food can contain significantly less meat than pellets, and do not bring any benefit to the pet.

It is also important to consider the condition of the animal itself. Therefore, whether it is possible to feed cats only with dry food depends on their well-being and physical data. For example, for young he althy individuals, granules are quite a suitable option, but for small kittens it is better to give a soft paste, as well as for sick, weakened and old animals.

Myths and truth about industrial feed

Veterinarians and breeders are advised to feed pets with ready-made food, as it containsall the necessary substances for their full life. Manufacturers offer various types of prepared food for animals. Can cats only eat dry food? Will it be harmful to he alth? These questions are asked by many owners of tailed friends.

There are several myths about industrial feed. One of them says that the granules can cause diseases of the genitourinary system in cats. This is partly true, but the development of the KSD is provoked not by the “drying” itself, but by malnutrition and lack of water. Cheap food, irregular and rare 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, ensure constant access to fluids and regularly visit a specialist, then he should not develop such diseases.

Another common misconception is that processed food causes pet allergies and makes the coat dull and brittle. It also depends on the quality of the feed. Super premium food and holistics, on the other hand, do not contain substances that can provoke such reactions. And the special additives included in the composition help the animal to maintain he alth and excellent appearance for many years.

Also, many believe that various wastes are used in the manufacture of granules and canned food, for example, bones, hooves, tumors, animal corpses. However, firms that produce quality food, super-premium and above, care about their reputation and make "drying" and canned food.only from meat and do not add aromatic and flavoring components.

Rules for choosing dry food

When choosing industrial food for your pet, you can consult with your veterinarian. He will tell you, taking into account the characteristics of the animal, what kind of ready-made food is better to buy. Also, the recommendations of experienced breeders on the relevant sites will not be superfluous. They are happy to give advice on choosing the right food.

When buying, it is important to pay attention to the composition of dry food. Cats are carnivorous animals and must have a lot of meat in their diet. In super premium lines and holistics, this ingredient occupies the first line in the composition list.

It is necessary to take into account the preferences of the animal itself. If a murka does not eat a 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 are interested in whether it is possible to give dry food to a lactating cat. If she has eaten it before, then definitely yes, just need to increase the portion or purchase pellets of the same brand, designed for the needs of the "young mother".

After the castration of the animal, the owner should reconsider the diet of the pet, because what the pet ate before the operation can cause problems after it. Owners often ask if a spayed cat can be fed dry food. Of course you can, especially if she used to eat industrial food. But now you need to buy ready-made food designed for castrated animals, it is balancedprecisely tailored to their needs and contains everything they need for a fulfilling life.

Types of dry food

Pet stores offer a wide range of industrial food at different price points. Many buyers prefer to take inexpensive brands, hoping to save money in this way. However, this is not entirely true. The fact is that budget granules contain fewer meat ingredients, and in order to eat, a cat needs a portion larger than super premium food. Estimates by experienced owners show that, despite the higher cost, this "drying" is more economical, and therefore cheaper 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 ordinary supermarkets, such as Wiskas, Kitikat and others. Their composition is rather poor, such feeds contain practically no useful things, and whether it is possible to feed cats only with dry food of this level is a big question.

Premium feed - already contains a small amount of meat and nutrients. Today they include Royal Canine and Hills. Is it possible to feed a cat only dry food of these manufacturers? After the production was moved to Russia, many complain that the quality of food has fallen, because before these brands were classified as super-premium. Therefore, if the animal is completely he althy, then such granules can be given, but it is better to consider optionshigher level.

Super-premium - contain many natural ingredients, they are almost completely free of chemicals and flavors. True, animals do not eat them very willingly, since there are no aromatic components in the composition. These include ProNature Holistic, Profine Adult Cat. However, veterinarians and breeders on the question of whether it is possible to feed a cat with dry food all the time give a positive answer.

Holistics - known mostly 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 their he alth and beauty for many years.

Transition to dry food

The transition to dry food should be smooth and not cause stress to the animal. Professionals recommend adding granules to the cat's usual diet, gradually increasing their number. On average, such a procedure will take from 10 to 15 days.

For example, on the first day, add 15 granules to food. If the cat refuses to eat them, then the “drying” can be crushed and mixed with regular food. Some owners recommend soaking the pellets, this advice is more suitable for small kittens.

Special picky eaters may refuse to eat if a little industrial is mixed into it. In this case, you need to show firmness, remove the food and try to offer it after a few hours, when the animal is hungry.

It is important to understand whenthe cat will be completely transferred to dry food, she should not be given something from the table, as this can cause irreparable harm to her digestive system.

How to feed dry food?

It is better not to change the selected food. Animals don't have the same taste buds as humans do, so they don't need a lot of variety. Therefore, when asked whether it is possible to feed a cat with different dry food, many professionals give a negative answer.

Animals on pellets must have constant and unrestricted access to fresh water. If the animal drinks little liquid, then there is a risk of developing urolithiasis.

Some of the owners feel sorry for their pet, forced to use only "crackers" and pamper them with canned food. Can I feed my cat only premium dry food or any other kind and occasionally treat them to spiders? There is no single opinion here. Some of the experts believe that it is absolutely impossible, since the cat's stomach does not have time to rebuild. Some do not 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 if it is possible to feed a cat with dry dog food. Veterinarians and manufacturers are categorically against such nutrition. Murkas and Shariks are completely different species, and their needs are different. Of course, if a cat eats a few pellets from its four-legged friend, nothing bad will happen to it. But if you constantly feed her dog food, the he alth consequences can be unpredictable.

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 sure that his ward gets everything she needs. And therefore, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to feed cats only with dry food is answered in the affirmative. The animal looks good and feels great.

However, there are opponents of "drying". In their opinion, it causes addiction in pets, and also provokes various diseases. This is possible because some pellets contain strong flavors and aromas that cause the cat to consume only them. To prevent the animal from becoming an "addict", experts recommend purchasing super-premium and holistic foods, as they are completely natural.

The main disease that manifests itself in cats who prefer "crackers" is ICD. The risk of its occurrence is higher in neutered animals. However, for a cat to be he althy, he needs to drink a lot, so the owner should provide him with this opportunity.

Result

There is no unequivocal opinion in favor of this or that type of food. Some prefer to feedanimal the old fashioned way, from the table. Some "conjure" in the kitchen and create completely balanced meals for their pets on their own. But most still buy industrial food, as it is completely created for the needs of the tailed beauty.

When choosing the type of feeding, it is important to consider your capabilities and the desires of the pet. If you want to cook Murke separately, then fine. If there is no time and effort to create masterpieces of cat cooking, then it is better to purchase ready-made food, but always of good quality.