Pregnant Cat Food Recipe: 3 Easy Recipes For Your Cat
Are you looking for a Pregnant cat food recipe? If you are pregnant and want to give your cat the best food possible, this is for you!
We will be giving you a recipe that includes everything your cat needs. Follow these steps closely, and soon enough, your furry friend will be eating like royalty.
A pregnant cat requires a very specific type of nutrition. Her nutritional needs are different from the average adult cat, and it is important to feed her accordingly.
Here is a recipe that can be made at home for your pregnant cat! Its easy, cheap, and nutritious.
If youre expecting an adorable new addition to your family soon, make sure this kitty gets what she needs by following this simple recipe!
Contents
What Is Body Condition Score
Body Condition Score is a way of assessing whether your cat is at an optimal weight. Sadly, many cats are overweight , leading to diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.
A cat in ideal body condition should have a visible waist, and you should be able to feel its ribs.
If you can see your cats ribs and its backbone feels knobbly, kitty is too thin, and the amount you feed should increase.
If you cannot feel your cats ribs, and it has a rounded shape from above and from the side, kitty is overweight, and the amount you feed needs to be reduced.
Refer to the chart below to assess your cats BCS. If you need help with scoring your cat, or if you are concerned your cats body condition score is too low or too high, discuss this with your veterinarian at kittys next health check.
IMPORTANT Pro Tip
If your cats Body Condition Score is less than 3, increase the amount fed by 10%. If your cats Body Condition Score is more than 3, decrease the amount fed by 10%. Review this every few weeks.
Body Condition Score Chart
Source:
What If My Cat Is Already Overweight
If your cat is already overweight, its time to put them on a diet. Forewarning, they will hate it and likely will tell you all about how much they hate it. It will take your cat some time to get used to being on a diet. The transition period will probably require you to have a lot of patience since your cat will try everything in its power to get you to feed them. If youre used to free-feeding your cat, youll have to stop doing that and start giving them set mealtimes, so they dont overeat. While this may be more work for you overall, it will help your cat in the long run, and theyll thank you for it.
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Determining How Much To Feed A Cat
Different cats have different nutritional needs based on their size, life stage and more. Here are some factors to consider when deciding how much food your cat should eat.
- Age & Life Stage: Kittens have different nutritional needs than adults or senior cats. Pregnant or nursing cats also have different needs.
- Weight: If your cat is not at her ideal body condition, you may need to adjust what and how much you feed her, says Dr. Callie Harris, DVM.
- Activity Levels: Cats who are active and playful throughout the day may need more calories than those who prefer to spend their time napping.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: Indoor cats may not get as much exercise as an outdoor cat would, so they need fewer calories. Outdoor cats living in regions with cold winters may need more food in the cold months.
The best way to determine how much food your cat needs is to talk with your veterinarian. They can tell you how much food your cat needs based on the above factors.
They can also help you troubleshoot any problems that may arise, such as your cat eating more or less than usual.
Is It Okay If I Feed My Cat Exclusively Wet Food
It is possible to feed your cat exclusively on wet food, although this option can be expensive. Suppose your cat is not inclined to drink a lot of water or suffers from diabetes, urinary tract infections, or kidney disease. In that case, wet or canned food may be a better option than dry food due to the former having more moisture content.
Wet food also comes in many different textures, such as mousse, loaf, chunks in gravy or jelly. You can try feeding wet food to cats that dont like kibble, as wet food tends to be more palatable.
Avoid feeding your cat your food, as some of the foods we eat can be dangerous to your cats health.
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Choose Food That Meets Aafco Standards
The AAFCO does not endorse, certify or approve cat foods. Instead, they regulate the sale and distribution of animal food.
To ensure youre feeding high-quality food to your cat, look for ones that meet AAFCO standards. Pet food can only claim that its complete if it meets the minimum requirements set by the AAFCO. Look for the Nutritional Adequacy label on the food package to see if it meets AAFCO standards.
What Wet And Dry Cat Food Do Veterinarians Recommend
Regardless of whether you choose to feed a dry or canned cat food, it is important to feed a well-balanced, commercial diet to ensure that your cat gets the vitamins and minerals they need.
Reputable brands such as Science Diet and Royal Canin have been quality-controlled and specially formulated to meet a cats nutritional requirements. Your veterinarian can give you more specific recommendations based on your cats health history.
Avoid feeding a home-cooked or homemade diet unless it is specially formulated by a veterinarian who is specialized in making these diets. If you dont have help from a qualified vet, these diets can be deficient in vitamins and minerals such as taurine, which can cause heart disease in cats.
Involving your veterinarian in your decision of what to feed your cat can be very helpful in ensuring they get the most appropriate nutrition.
Here are some other things to consider.
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Cat Feeding Mistakes: Feeding Only Dry Food
âThe biggest mistake people make is feeding cats dry food,â says Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, a California veterinarian focused on feline medicine and nutrition, and creator of CatInfo.org.
As it turns out, todayâs domestic tabby evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors, a heritage that no doubt left our furry felines with their grace, hunting prowess — and low thirst drive.
âWe know that a catâs sensitivity to thirst is blunted compared to a dog,â Case says. âThey don’t voluntarily drink water like a dog would.â And because cats naturally produce highly concentrated urine âwe’re setting them up for urinary tract problems when their diet is low in liquids.â
âWhen cats present with urinary tract problems, the recommendation is to get them on a water-rich diet,â Pierson says. âHowever, why are we closing the barn door after the horse is a mile down the road? Why not practice preventive nutrition by feeding them canned food before they end up with urinary tract problems?â
Cats are designed to get their water with their food, Pierson says. Although mice, a cat’s normal food, are about 70% water, and canned food about 78%, dry food is between 5%-10% water. That’s why âcanned food does a much better job of keeping your cat well-hydrated,â Pierson tells WebMD. âThink of canned food as hosing down your cat’s bladder several times a day.â
Cat Birthday Cake Treats
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- ½ cup cooked or canned chicken
- ½ cup cooked sweet potato, pureed
- 1 cooked potato, mashed
Celebrate your kittys special day with this unique cat birthday cake. First, combine the sweet potato, chicken, and tuna and mix thoroughly. Form the mixture into small balls. Place the mashed potato into a resealable bag and cut off one corner to form a decorating bag.
Arrange the balls on a plate to form a cake for your cat. Squeeze the mashed potatoes out to decorate your kittys cake however you like. This cake is especially appropriate if your cat has friends over to celebrate because theres plenty to go around for all!
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When Should I Feed My Cat
Cats have adapted to eat small meals , interspersed with sleeping and bursts of activity. Providing multiple smaller meals in a day mirrors this natural feeding pattern and can, in turn, increase activity level and reduce the risk of obesity .
This can be achieved by leaving the calculated amount of dry food out for your cat to free feed at will. Alternatively, for cats prone to eating too much, work out at least three meal times in a day that work with your schedule and measure each meal as described above.
Heres How To Start To Work Out How Much To Feed
Several factors go into determining how much your cat needs to eat.
The starting point is to establish five facts about your cat.
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So How Many Calories Does My Cat Need
We are now ready to answer the ultimate question. First, you can look at the cans and bags of what you have been feeding your pet and evaluate how many calories it has been receiving so far. When you get the recommended number, you can compare them and see whether you will need to feed it more, less, or slightly adjust the diet.
The formula is based on the standard daily calorie intake for an average cat and its current weight, producing the amount you should feed it. This number is additionally adjusted by the lifestyle factor. Depending on it, the daily amount of wet or dry food to feed your cat may vary greatly, as the recommended calories amount may vary immensely based on the current weight and your future goals.
However, you can leave it out for now, its important to at least establish how much food it takes to keep your cat satisfied at its current weight without threatening its condition. And in a week, when you have followed this regime, you can weigh it again and see whether its losing or gaining pounds. Then, the lifestyle factor can be used to alter the calorie content based on whether you want to increase or reduce it.
If your cat suffers from serious medical issues, make sure to consult the vet, of course. Usually, though, the health condition may influence certain products and types of foods, as well as the preferred feeding schedule.
When To Feed A Kitten
Once you know what to feed your kitten and how much, its time to create a feeding schedule that works for you both.
Use your kittens name when feeding to help her learn her name, while also associating you with a pleasant activity.
Creating a routine and feeding her at the same time each day can help your kitten feel secure and will aid in forming a bond between you two that will last for many years to come.
You can feed your kitten one to three times a day, as long as you dont give her more than her total daily calorie needs.
For example, you can put dry kibble in her bowl in the morning and she can graze throughout the day. If a twice-a-day schedule works better, give half her daily amount in the morning and half in the evening.
Same for wet food or a combination of wet and dry food. Just make sure the wet and dry food combined meets the total amount of calories she needs in a day.
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How Many Times A Day Should A Kitten Be Fed
There are different milestones during the growing years of a kitten. The number of times that you need to feed your kitten largely depends on its age.
Another important point to note is not to remove the kitten from its mother before 12-15 weeks. Just because the kittens are weaned off their mothers milk at 5 weeks means they are ready to conquer the world.
Removing kittens from their mother prematurely can result in behavioral and health issues as they get older.
Lets Talk About The Dry Cat Food Debate
Many cat owners leave dry food out for their cats. Some people supplement it with wet food and some dont. Is it the equivalent of feeding your kids on a steady diet of fast food.
If you are giving your cat only dry food to eat. She is likely to be getting less nutrition to compare to other cats eating canned wet cat food. A lot of fillers are present in many low-quality dry cat food. In the wild, only five percent of carbohydrates is in cats diet. That carbohydrate she gets from ingesting the stomach contents of her prey.
As many fillers are the necessary requirement for the extrusion process to shape dry food nuggets during manufacturing dry cat food. Dry cat foods are cost-savings Since theyre a cheaper ingredient than meat.
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What Ingredients Should I Feed My Cat
Some nutrients are crucial when choosing the right cat food. Feeding your cat low-quality foods may mean some of these essential cat food ingredients are missing in their diet leading to malnutrition. Make sure your pets food includes the following:
- Protein: Protein is a vital nutrient for your pets food since all cats are carnivores. Do not feed a cat an animal product-free diet, as this is not healthy for them. The protein content should account for at least 25% of their diet.
- Taurine: This is an amino acid that is naturally present in meat. Cats cant generate enough Taurine on their own. Therefore, Taurine must be present in their diet. Taurine helps ensure a healthy vision, good digestion, a healthy heart, and a functioning immune system. It is also essential for maintaining normal pregnancy and fetal development.
- Fat: A cat generally needs around 20-24% fat content in its diet. Look for a specific fat source, such as chicken fat, when buying cat food.
- Omega 3s and 6s, vitamins, and minerals: Cats need vitamins, minerals, and omegas to maintain a healthy, well-functioning body. Deficiencies in any of these nutrients can result in health issues.
Body Type And Exercise Level
Its also essential to assess your cats body type and exercise level. Some cats, like Maine Coons, are giant and can have a healthy body weight of up to 30 lbs. If your cat is of a huge breed, theyre going to need more food to sustain them. If your cat is very active and loves to play, it will need more food than a lazy cat and naps all day. If your cat tends to play by themselves often, consider increasing their food, especially if theyre usually hungry and begging for food.
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How Much Should I Really Feed My Cat
Whether you are a first-time cat owner or youve lived with your feline friend for years, you may wonder if your cat is getting enough to eat. When it comes to how much to feed your cat, you should make your decision based on your cats individual needs, along with your lifestyle and budget. It’s a decision you want to make wisely as your cats health depends on building a solid nutrition base and avoiding unnecessary risks that could make your cat overweight.
When it comes to how much to feed your cat, there are a few things to consider:
- The age of your cat
- How much your cat weighs
- Your cats energy level
- If your cat is pregnant or nursing kittens
- If you are feeding dry food, wet food, or a combination of the two
- What nutrients your cat needs
- If your cat lives indoors, outdoors, or both
- Your budget and lifestyle
Your veterinarian or a certified veterinary nutritionist is best suited to help guide you through the process, especially when you are working to identify a balance of nutrients for your cat. Because cats are carnivores, their diet may look different than other pets. Some nutrients to look for in your cats food include:
Just as you might read your own food labels, pay attention not so much to the catchphrases on the front of the bag or can of cat food, but the label on the back. Cailin Heinze, VMD, MS, DACVN, and Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist says to pay close attention to calories.
A Complete Cat Feeding Guide Wet And Dry Food Covered
Whether you have been a proud owner of a feline for many years, have been presented with a fur pet, or have adopted one, you may be wondering, How much food should I feed my cat? The question may come as a natural inquiry when you are facing a new task introduced into your life or as a concern for a four-pawed resident of your house.
The wrong ways you could go about solving the problem are either by letting your cat eat as much as it will or relying on the general instructions you can find at the back of the package containing nutrients for your kitty. Those may work, but thats like playing a lottery. Instead, we would like to equip you with the knowledge that will let you know for sure.
Its crucial to make a feeding plan individually for your cat so that the animal receives an ideal amount of calories. That way, you can avoid overfeeding your pet, as well as denying it the necessary nourishment. Both could equally be bad for the cats current health and life expectancy, so its crucial that you know all the factors to account for.
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