The British cat is one of the most interesting breeds, which combines an unusual appearance and a unique character. Many people want to get these smart and peaceful animals.
If a kitten is purchased from a professional nursery, the new owners are given all the recommendations for its care and feeding. In other cases, the natural question arises of what to feed a British cat at home.
Each cat breed has its own specific needs that must be taken into account when creating a diet.
The British require food with a high protein content and do not forget that even domestic cats are carnivores by nature.
For a medium-sized cat, 150-250 g of food per day is required, in some cases this figure increases to 300 g.
Before getting this animal, you need to understand that food for the British must be prepared separately, without salt, seasonings and other additives unnatural for animals.
As with other breeds of cats, British cats are prohibited from giving food from their own table. Improper nutrition can negatively affect the condition of the animal.
- Food should always be fresh.
- If the products are given in crushed form, it is better to make balls from them.
- The meat part of the serving is about 75%, the rest can be vegetables and cereals.
- Drinking clean water should always be available.
- Food is given only at room temperature, not hot or cold.
- Porridges and vegetables that the animal does not like can be grated and mixed with meat.
- Uneaten food should be disposed of, but not mixed with a new portion.
- It is advisable to eat meals at the same hours.
Feeding a British kitten
British breed kittens require a special approach to organizing their diet.
A young animal requires additional vitamins and minerals, which are necessary for its growth and development. A special approach should be carried out up to six months of age, and in some cases up to a year.
What to feed kittens up to 3 months is usually of interest only to people involved in breeding them.
The acquisition of the British begins precisely at this age and is explained by a number of factors:
- A kitten requires mother's milk for up to 1.5-2 months/
- Use of complementary foods in the form of cream, special milk and other products;
- Special nutrition for kittens is the key to their health, and it is not always within the power of beginners.
Starting from the age of three months, about 10% dry food is added to the kitten's daily diet. And the menu itself looks like this:
- pure milk;
- porridge with milk;
- boiled beef and chicken;
- natural fermented milk products;
- boiled or chopped fruits and vegetables;
- boiled sea fish;
- boiled yolk.
Dry food
The British can also be fed with ready-made industrial super and super premium food. But choosing the optimal type of food is not an easy task. Not only should it be of high quality, but the cat should also like it. Therefore, without deciding on the brand, you should not purchase large quantities.
Another condition for food should be its availability. The fact is that it is not recommended to regularly change manufacturers and the feed itself. This inconsistency negatively affects the animal's gastrointestinal tract and can lead to serious problems in the future.
Feeding with food is much more convenient than natural food. And the point is not only in saving personal time on its preparation, but also in the optimal ratio of all necessary vitamins and microelements. With ready-made industrial feeds from the British, all the necessary substances are obtained.
An adult animal can be fed both dry and canned food.
- Eukanuba;
- Nutro;
- Royal Canin;
- Eagle Pack;
- Hills.
Usually, high-quality food for British cats is marked: super or super-premium class. But it is strictly not recommended to give food such as Friskies, Kitty Kat and other inexpensive analogues.
They contain waste from meat production, including skins, wool and feathers. Their regular use can lead to pathologies of the genitourinary and other important systems of the body. Among canned foods, canned food from Gourmet, as well as Petrit treats, are of high quality.
This group is also given to pregnant cats and those who have already given birth and are in the process of feeding kittens.
What should you not feed?
First of all, a British cat should not be fed low-quality food.
Also, the following products should be excluded from the animal’s diet:
The approximate diet for an adult British cat is as follows:
- Morning. Frozen or boiled meat, peeled boiled fish, chopped boiled vegetables, yogurt or cottage cheese, hard cheese, egg yolk. If necessary, complex vitamins.
- Evening. Industrial dry food, a small portion of natural food. Also, do not neglect vegetable oils, vitamins and brewer's yeast, which have a beneficial effect on the digestion process.
When feeding a Briton with natural products, the average daily norm is 150-300 g, depending on the nutritional value of the products, as well as the characteristics of the animal (weight, age, pregnancy, etc.). As for industrial food, the consumption rate is indicated on the packaging and depends on the weight of the cat. Each feed manufacturer has its own one-time standard.
When organizing proper nutrition for a British cat, the animal will receive all the necessary nutrients and vitamins. A balanced diet is not only a well-groomed appearance and activity, but also the key to health and longevity.
British Shorthair cats are in demand among breeders because of their balanced nature, endurance and independence. Pets of this breed are unpretentious in their care: they require a nutritious diet, moderate physical activity, and daily brushing of their fur.
Due to a sedentary lifestyle or poor diet, Britons develop diarrhea, hair loss and dullness, teeth deteriorate, and obesity begins.
British cats appeared in the United Kingdom in the 19th century. They have retained a recognizable appearance to this day: they are distinguished by a large stocky body, a sloping muzzle with round bright eyes, tightly knit fur, and medium size (3-7 kg).
Kittens of the British breed at the age of several months. Proper care relieves naturally strong animals from health problems.
How to care for a British dog:
Healthy eating rules
The ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals in the diet should cover the daily needs of the pet. Meat is the basis of the British diet; vitamins, minerals, and plant fiber are obtained from vegetables, cereals, and dairy products.
How to choose a nutrition plan for a British cat:
- choose between natural and prepared food (dry, canned food); combining both methods is not recommended;
- up to 6 months, kittens eat milk, then it is replaced with milk porridges and fermented milk products;
- with a natural diet, the ratio of animal and plant products in the diet should be 70% and 30%, respectively;
- oatmeal, barley, pearl barley, rice, buckwheat - healthy cereals for the British;
- allowed fermented milk products - low-fat cottage cheese, sour cream, cream, kefir, cheese;
- vegetables allowed include pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, spinach, beets, and zucchini.
Natural nutrition
Natural food is a diet consisting of food traditional for carnivorous mammals, prepared by the owner for the pet.
The advantages of this method of feeding are a physiological set of products with a predominance of meat, organic components, and a high liquid content in food.
Examples of natural nutrition for British cats Among the disadvantages:
- at home it is difficult to maintain a balance of nutritional value and microelements in the diet; the size and weight of portions will have to be measured and correlated with tables of calorie content of foods;
- there is a risk of buying stale meat, which can lead to poisoning of your pet;
- the cat will need additional vitamins;
- whimsical British people often refuse food that does not attract them by smell or appearance;
- balanced natural nutrition is expensive.
Meats suitable for British breed cats include beef, poultry (turkey, chicken, partridge), rabbit, and offal. After purchase, the meat is thoroughly washed, frozen, and before consumption, removed from the freezer and treated with boiling water.
Dry and wet food
Industrial food contains all the nutrients cats need.
Available for sale:
- Dry granulated food.
Prices for dry food vary - from expensive holistic and premium products to budget food. Food costs will be lower, it is more convenient to feed such food, and the concentrated aroma will attract any pet. The disadvantages of this method of feeding are a lack of fluid; if the cat does not drink enough water daily, there is a risk of urolithiasis and allergies.- Canned food.
Wet food is hermetically packaged in bags or jars; it contains all the substances the animal needs, a sufficient amount of moisture and fat, and there are no synthetic meat substitutes or vegetable fats. Among the disadvantages of a wet diet are the high price (an adult cat needs food worth 100-150 rubles daily), and the short shelf life of the contents of an opened package.- Wet food for additional feedings.
Such food does not replace proper nutrition and is often used as a reward. Their fat content is low (up to 3%).
Pedigree feed lines
Some manufacturers offer diets for cats, developed taking into account the physiological characteristics of the breed. The Royal Canin breed food series includes the following products:
- British Shorthair - food for British cats over 1 year old, the composition is selected taking into account strong muscles, a weakened cardiovascular system and maintenance of dental health;
- Kitten British Shorthair is a food for kittens up to 12 months, its easily digestible components are aimed at supporting the bone and immune systems of a growing British cat.
Also, these foods are suitable for fold-eared and straight-eared Scottish cats, as the manufacturer warns about on the packaging.
Food for feeding British cats up to 1 year The diet for little Britons is selected taking into account the reduced load on digestion, since gastrointestinal enzymes at this age cannot cope with solid food.
Diet in the first month
Newborn kittens feed on their mother's milk. Its composition supports the development of the immune system, which is necessary during the active growth phase, so it is important to provide a nursing cat with adequate nutrition.
If a one-month-old kitten is not near its mother, the pet owner will have to take care of the right food on his own.
What to feed a 1 month old British kitten:
- a cat's milk replacer, which can be purchased at a pet store, feeding frequency is 6-7 times a day;
- after 2-2.5 weeks, it is allowed to introduce boiled yolk or liquid semolina porridge with milk, complementary feeding starts with 0.5 tsp, then the portion increases;
- by the end of the first month, it is allowed to introduce 10 g of beef or chicken fillet into the diet; the products are pre-frozen, doused with boiling water before eating and chopped in a blender.
From a month to six months
An older kitten eats less often (3-4 times a day), gradually learns to chew food, so it is recommended to finely chop the meat and grate vegetables. At 2 months, mother's milk or its substitute is retained in the diet; low-fat fermented milk products (cottage cheese, cream, cheese) and vegetables are allowed.
At this age, kittens are introduced to canned foods suitable for feeding animals up to 4 months. A serving is 15-30 g.
At 3 months, the amount of wet food increases to 25-45 g. It is allowed to introduce meat by-products and boiled sea fish (bones are removed). Dry food for the first feeding of four-month-old kittens is soaked, serving weight is 15-20 g.
Kittens are introduced to new foods gradually, observing the body's reaction in order to prevent allergic reactions or digestive disorders.
3 month old kitten At 5 months, the amount of dairy food in the diet is reduced to a minimum; dry or canned food and meat products predominate. It is recommended to choose a good brand of food and not change it so that the kitten’s stomach adapts.
Diet from six months to a year
After 6 months, a grown-up Briton is not given milk; it is replaced with fermented milk products (cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream, soft cheese). The remaining foods introduced into the diet are preserved, but the serving size is increased.
The owner will have to decide whether he will combine ready-made food with natural food and how many times a day or whether he will switch the pet completely to ready-made food. It is also recommended to choose vitamins for the kitten or grow cat grass, and provide the animal with constant access to fresh water.
Upon reaching the age of 1 year, the number of feedings is reduced to 2-3; cats of this breed should not be overfed, because they tend to be overweight.
Caring for a kitten in the early stages
To ensure your pet’s comfort, you should take care of his sleeping place in advance, equip a corner for feeding and toileting, and buy toys.
How to care for a British kitten so that adaptation to a new home is painless:
Bedding for British kittens. A place to sleep - also known as a sleeping house
When a Briton gets into a new home for the first time, he will try to hide somewhere and choose a secluded corner in the apartment. It is better to place a bed or soft house next to this place so that the kitten quickly gets used to being there and feels safe.
Bowls
The feeding area is equipped with bowls for food and drink made of plastic, metal or ceramics. Metal and ceramic bowls last longer, do not scratch and are less dirty.
Plastic ones cost less, but quickly fade and wear out. To prevent containers from slipping and food from spilling, special mats are used.
British kittens are naturally clean and may refuse to eat if it is weathered. It is recommended to clean up any leftovers after feeding and change the water regularly.
Toys, scratching posts or houses
Little Britons are playful and enjoy communicating with their owners. Suitable toys:
It is important to monitor the condition of the toys so that the kitten does not swallow the broken part. Racks covered with twine or soft houses will help. You can buy them at a pet store or make your own.
Toilet
A traditional litter box with low sides is suitable for a kitten, as it will be easier to jump into. Over time, you can change it to another option:
It is better to equip the toilet in a quiet place in the apartment so that the kitten gets used to it faster and does not get used to using other places for natural elimination, for example, the space behind the sofa.
What to feed an adult British cat
Adult British cats eat 2 times a day. Their diet consists of a combination of canned and dry food in a ratio of 1 to 3. With natural nutrition, it is important to control the composition of nutrients, nutritional value of food, and provide the pet with additional minerals.
What vitamins are suitable for British cats:
- combined vitamin complexes for British breed cats;
- natural dry brewer's yeast is sold in pharmacies and added to food to improve the condition of the coat;
- unrefined vegetable oils promote intestinal motility (1 time every 2 days, 0.5 tsp per serving of meat or wet food).
Diet from year
One year old British cat If dry food predominates in the diet of a one-year-old British cat, it is better to choose products with an organic composition. Feed producer classes:
With a natural diet, the basis of the diet is beef and canned meat for children. Fish, cheese, omelet, offal are included in the diet once a week, yolk, fermented milk products, vegetables, cereals - every other day.
Diet for older cats
By the age of 10, the caloric content of the diet decreases, because the mobility of a British person in old age decreases.
Adult British cat At this age, animals are given the following brands of food:
Pouches and canned food for older cats are offered by Hill’s, Royal Canin, Organix, and Nero Gold. The composition of such food is better suited for the digestive and genitourinary systems of older British cats, facilitates the digestion of food, and reduces the risk of developing urolithiasis.
Ready-made diets are enriched with vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and antioxidants.
If your pet eats natural food, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian and adjust the diet taking into account age-related changes in the body.
After castration and sterilization
The diet of a castrated or sterilized British breed cat does not change. It is important to control the animal’s weight and not to overfeed it, since after surgery the physical activity of the British decreases and the pet quickly gains weight.
Manufacturers Optimeal, ProPlan, BritCare, CatChow have created ready-made diets with lean meat, reduced carbohydrates and cholesterol, and additional enzymes to improve food absorption.
Dry or wet food for such animals will help prevent excess weight gain.
What to feed a pregnant cat
The calorie content of a pregnant British cat's diet increases by 10-15% due to beef meat and offal. Additional intake of vitamins during pregnancy is limited. Feeding frequency remains the same to prevent the cat or kittens from becoming overweight.
Ready-made food for pregnant or lactating cats is produced by the brands ProFine, Josera, Royal Canin, Purina, CatChow, Happy Cat.
What not to feed a British cat
It is important not to use the following products in the diet of British breed cats:
- legumes (soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas);
- smoked, fried foods high in unsaturated fats;
- salt, herbs, spices;
- onions, garlic due to phytoncides in the composition;
- potatoes, radishes, tomatoes;
- whole milk;
- raw eggs (only boiled yolk is allowed);
- corn, semolina porridge;
- sweets, pastries, chocolate, pasta, alcohol.
List of foods that you should not feed British cats Raw meat, offal and fish are also not suitable for the British diet. Before use, all products must be washed and thermally treated (pour boiling water or boil).
Anyone who has become the happy owner of a purebred British representative of the domestic cat family asks the question: what to feed a British kitten? And this question requires an immediate decision so as not to harm the pet from the very beginning - after all, ill-considered nutrition can lead to big problems with the animal’s health, expensive treatment and the most unpredictable and sad consequences.
Of course, British cats do not all eat the same thing. Each pet may have its own taste preferences. But the general feeding rules for animals of this breed must still be followed. So, what to feed a kitten and an adult British cat so that they are healthy and live without problems? And how to feed them? Because the number of meals per day and the total weight of what was eaten play an important role.
Rules for feeding British kittens:
- The daily food intake should not exceed 300 grams for adults (and ideally 200-250) and 150 grams for kittens.
- No feeding from the master's table! For the British, even if they are on a natural diet, they cook separately.
- Only fresh food - be it dry food, wet food or specially prepared natural food.
- If it is meat, then only frozen and then scalded.
- The fish is only boiled and only from the sea.
- Chicken eggs (boiled only) or quail eggs (in any form) are given to the animal no more than once a week.
- Milk - only babies and adult pets of the British breed are allowed only fermented milk products, and even then not often.
- Nothing smoked, canned or sweet.
- Use only premium dry food.
- Only fresh water in a convenient container should always be freely available to the animal.
Feeding rules depending on the age of the British
Forming the correct diet for a small kitten of the British breed is the task of every owner of such a cat. And of course, on this issue you should immediately consult with the owner of the nursery where the baby was purchased. The question of what to feed a British kitten arises sharply from the first days of the furry baby’s stay in the house. It is good if at the nursery the child has already been accustomed to some specific food. And it’s not a fact that the current owners will have the opportunity to feed him exactly that. And if the baby was taken very young, then you will have to act almost at random, guided only by general nutritional recommendations for age. Therefore, it is always better to find out in advance what to feed a British kitten for a month, two, three, six months and beyond.
1 month
If a very tiny fluffy Briton appears in the house, you need to know how and what to feed a 1-month-old British kitten? A small purr should eat at least 5 times a day. And you need to feed him porridge and liquid pureed chicken soup. Only cooked specifically for him, and not left from the owner’s plate! And food should be at room temperature - in no case from the refrigerator, and not straight from the stove. Gradually and little by little add cereals and vegetables. When owners are interested in what to feed a British kitten at 1 month old, they most often want to know whether he can already be given dry and wet industrial food? Or is it better to stick to a natural diet?
Experts agree that it is better to introduce ready-made food to kittens at a later age.
2 months
Two-month-old British kittens are fed, in principle, the same way as monthly ones. Therefore, the question of what to feed a British kitten at 2 months should not bother owners who have already chosen a diet for their pet. Even the frequency of feedings changes only by 3 months. In the meantime, it should still be 4-5 times a day. In general, what to feed a British kitten at 2 months is a matter of when the animal appears in the house. If he is just 2 months old, then he should be given the same cereals and soups as if the baby was taken into the family when he was one month old.
Six months
Those who have been keeping a small representative of the British breed at home for 6 months now certainly need to know what to feed a British kitten at six months. Moreover, starting from 3 months, quite significant changes occurred in his diet relative to infant nutrition. 
At 3 months, the kitten begins to be given scraped, frozen and pre-scalded red meat (beef - 30 grams per day, no less). Plus finely chopped boiled chicken breasts (also about 30 grams). And porridge soups are a must. At the age of three months, you can already introduce your baby to wet industrial food by choosing good canned food from a well-known manufacturer with a special mark “for kittens.” Great options:
- Bozita mini (120-130 rubles per package of 190 grams) is a super-premium class that has a beneficial effect on the quality of “British” wool;
- and Royal Canin Kitten Instinctive (in sauce or jelly, 85 grams - 52-55 rubles per pouch) and Babycat Instinctive mousse (190 grams - approximately 95 rubles per can).
The choice of dry or wet industrial food, when the question is what to feed a British kitten for six months, depends mainly on the financial capabilities of the owner. Veterinarians certainly recommend premium and super-premium food, but this, of course, is expensive. Although treatment in case of problems with digestion, liver or kidneys (due to poor nutrition) can be many times more expensive. And breeders of British cats are well aware of the weak points of these animals - namely the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. So you have to get used to feeding these big plush creatures well from their very childhood.
From one year and older
When a British kitten grows up, the needs of his body change. Next we will talk about what to feed an adult British cat from 1 year old. Everything is simple here:
- Or natural food (especially if he has been on it since the age of a kitten), but then it is always freshly prepared, balanced and with the right amount of vitamins and microelements.
- Or dry food selected according to the pet’s taste and the owner’s means (but always professional, premium class, at a minimum).
- Either dry + wet food. Premium class, one manufacturer, in the proportion 70x30. Preferably after consultation with a veterinarian.
Having decided what to feed a British cat, owners are often interested in the frequency of the animal’s feeding. Breeders are confident that two meals a day are enough for adult Britons.
Proper diet for a British kitten
In general, the correct diet for a British kitten is a complex thing. These purebred representatives of the cat family are very picky eaters. They can take and refuse food, to which they seem to have become accustomed. And here you need to manage to “walk between Scylla and Charybdis” - since changing food can cause digestive upset in your pet. 
Many veterinarians and breeders are confident that the correct diet for a British kitten is necessarily natural food. Who would argue, especially when it comes to really high-quality food:
- frozen scalded beef meat;
- boiled sea fish in small quantities;
- vegetables except potatoes;
- cereals;
- fermented milk products;
- eggs infrequently, etc.
And be sure to include vitamins and microelements in the dosage required to ensure the normal functioning of the cat.
But the question of what to feed a Briton correctly is asked, as a rule, by busy people who cannot afford to spend all day at the stove and kitchen scales trying to feed their pet. And by asking about this, the owners of these animals hope for competent professional advice on choosing dry and/or wet food.
What ready-made food should you feed your British cat?
What food should I feed my British kitten? Dry or wet? From which manufacturer? And in what quantity and proportions? This is what interests owners of cats of the British breed. The top 5 professional super-premium dryers that are suitable for feeding the British look like this: 
- Complete Royal Canin British Shorthair 34 (and Royal Canin Kitten British Shorthair for kittens of this breed) - from 450 rubles per kilogram.
- Pro Plan (from Purina) with chicken, turkey, duck or salmon - from 250 rubles. per kg.
- Eukanuba for adult cats, containing a high percentage of natural meat and animal proteins (priced from 2.5 thousand rubles per 10-kilogram bag - that is, 250 rubles per kg).
- Balanced Hill’s (any of the line for adult animals that a particular cat will like) - from 600 rubles. for 1.5 kg.
- Hypoallergenic Acana - from 890 rubles per pack of 2.5 kg.
And what kind of food to feed the Briton (from those presented above) is up to its owner to decide. Provided that the cat does not have health problems. Then you will have to select medicinal, specialized food. And only after qualified veterinary consultation.
In this article we will talk about what to feed a British kitten so that the baby grows healthy and strong. Feeding kittens begins from the 3rd week of a kitten’s life. By this time, the kittens’ milk teeth begin to grow, and on the 5-6th day, this process is completed.
The first food given to kittens is:
- milk powder diluted with boiled water
- human infant formula.
You need to start with 1 ml. 2-3 times a day, gradually increasing the dose. Starting from this time, it is already possible to add raw frozen beef and chicken to the kittens’ diet.
Starting from 4 weeks of age, porridge and fish can be introduced into the kittens' diet, then the nutrition of British kittens will look like this: 2-3 times a day milk or porridge and 2 times meat or fish, with the addition of one drop of fish oil for each kitten Don't forget that kittens always have access to clean water.
What to feed a British kitten: a sample list of products
- porridge with milk, oatmeal, semolina, sometimes rice
- dry oatmeal, ground in a blender as an additive to minced meat
- low-fat fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, baby curds, sour cream)
- -1-2 times a week it is recommended to add raw or boiled egg yolk to the kittens’ diet
- raw frozen, or chicken, and turkey (preferably lean breast)
- raw or boiled rabbit meat, beef, cut into thin strips, ground beef, only homemade
- chicken livers, stomachs, hearts, necks, boiled
- boiled doctor's sausage, children's sausages (can sometimes be given as a treat)
- Give seafood carefully; kittens may develop diarrhea.
Starting from 1.5 months, you need to give vitamins for kittens, and in the case of the British, these should be vitamins with a high calcium content; it is better to give preference to natural vitamins from Canina and Gimpet.
If you decide to feed British kittens with industrial food, then it should be exclusively premium cat food - Innova, Orijen, Acana. Before making a choice in favor of one food or another, check out the cat food ratings.
- cats eat fish only in fairy tales; excessive consumption of fish can lead to metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency and the development of urolithiasis in a cat;
- In nature, adult cats do not drink milk and can do just fine without it;
- inexpensive colored dry food can only harm the kitten, there is nothing natural in it;
- It should also be remembered that foods such as seaweed, carrots and liver darken the tone of the blue color of the British.
Remember: food for kittens is not salted!
Meat and meat by-products that are given raw must first be frozen.
You cannot feed your kitten only meat and fish, or only cereals. You shouldn’t get carried away with fish at all; its excessive consumption leads to inflammatory kidney diseases and urolithiasis. Castrated animals should not be given fish at all.
Food should be slightly warm or at room temperature. Do not give food that is too hot or cold (from the refrigerator).
All food for the kitten is ground very finely, large and small bones are carefully removed. For an adult cat, food is cut into small pieces. Don't give big pieces!
Raw meat is given in its pure form, cooked meat or fish (boiled) can be mixed with vegetables, cereals, etc.
Kitten 1.5-2 months. fed 5 times a day (or free access to food). By six months, gradually reduce the number of feedings to 3 times a day. From 8 months Feed like an adult cat 2 times a day.
Remember: a cat is a carnivore, and it does not have to eat borscht, pasta or coleslaw. A cat has its own special diet, and you should take this into account when feeding your pet, and not try to accustom it to what you and I eat - this is HARMFUL for cats and leads to various diseases.
The British cat breed was bred by man. 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 onwards, complementary feeding begins. Subsequently, the list of products expands and by one year the pet completely switches to adult food 2 times a day.
Further dietary changes will occur in old age, after 8–9 years of age, or if your pet becomes overweight. Experienced breeders know that the best food for British cats is natural food. However, in the modern world, with its fast pace 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 feeding options in more detail.
Rules for feeding natural food
The basic requirements for natural products should be considered. Find out what the British can do and what is strictly prohibited. You will learn a description of the products that are introduced into the diet of cats older than one year and what treats you can pamper your pet with.
Meat
Before serving the treat to your pet, you need to pour boiling water over the meat. This will make the food look like industrially canned food, making it easier for Britons to eat. Meat should be present in a cat's diet every day. If you want to diversify your pet’s taste sensations, you can add offal: heart, liver, lungs.
Be sure to freeze them first and pour boiling water over them.
Fish
British cats are not averse to indulging in tasty fish. Choose sea and ocean representatives. You should not take river fish, as it contains many small bones that can harm your pet. Remove scales from the carcass and form fillets. Be sure to remove all bones. Place the pieces in boiling water for 10-15 minutes and cool them. Fish is given approximately 2-3 times a week.
Porridge
Porridges are used 3-4 times a week.
Vegetables and fruits
A varied menu for your pet is the key to a long and healthy life. Vegetables help restore the lack of vitamins and carbohydrates. You should know that the use of potatoes, onions, and herbs is strictly prohibited. Cats eat well various types of cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini, as well as carrots and beets. Vegetables should be included in the diet approximately 3-4 times a week.
Select fruits individually. Use unsweetened fruits no more than once a week.
Dairy
Whole cow's milk is given to kittens up to one year of age. Older individuals do not need it, as it often causes diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, dairy products are an essential source of calcium and animal protein. Include kefir, cream, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese in your diet without additional ingredients in the form of sweeteners, pieces of fruit, or preservatives. All this should have a low fat content. On average, fermented milk products are needed 2-3 times a week. Additional products include the yolk of a chicken or quail egg, and greens in the form of fresh grass. You can grow it yourself or buy it at a veterinary pharmacy.
What food should I give?
Feed manufacturers today have created several food lines. For British breed cats, premium food from Bosch, Innova Evo, Royal Canin (foreign production), Hill's, Iams Cat, Orijen, Acana, Farmina, Go, Optimal, Pro Plan - and other dry food is used daily. Canned meat is necessary choose by age. You can also use baby food “Agusha”, “Babushkino Lukoshko”, “Tema”. Choose preserves from the same manufacturer as the main food. Experienced breeders do not recommend a combination of natural and dry food.
However, you should remember that commercial foods do not provide your cat with a full range of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Diet and diet
The basis of the diet can be either natural or dry food. In some cases, a combination of them is possible. Remember that when breastfeeding, it is necessary to additionally give fresh grass or special fiber. When using industrially produced food, there are no problems with feeding cats. This is why many switch their pets to such a menu. However, cats are much more accustomed to natural food.
Don’t worry that it’s too difficult, because at home it’s very easy to create a delicious menu and feed British cats. The diet includes permitted foods and pampers your pet with his favorite dishes.
Cats older than one year eat 2 times a day. At the same time, meat or offal is given at every meal. Combine with vegetables 3-4 times: pumpkin, carrots, various types of cabbage, or with cereals also 3-4 times a week: buckwheat, barley, oatmeal. Be sure to eat sea fish weekly; it is advisable to use fillets. Give fresh grass or dry fiber once a day. Natural greens are crushed with a blender.
You shouldn't give milk, but various fermented milk products will be a delicious dish for your Brit. Do not give your cats baked goods, chocolate, or 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 a veterinarian. Most often they are required in the spring.
Diet of a pregnant cat
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 calories. If you systematically overfeed your pet, this will lead to large growth of kittens and complications may arise during childbirth. You should not give vitamins either; their excessive accumulation in the cat’s body can also harm kittens.
If your cat eats dry food, it is considered mandatory to switch to special food for pregnant women. They can be found from any manufacturer.
Diet for elderly pets
Remember that the older the cat, the less it moves, therefore, the caloric content of the diet should be reduced to prevent the development of obesity. If you feed your pet dry food, switch him to a special line for seniors. The manufacturer Hill's has such a power system. If you are breastfeeding, consult your veterinarian for a proper transition to dry food. If you don’t want to do this, then reduce the amount of animal fats in your pet’s menu, while increasing the amount of vegetables, herbs, and fiber.
Menu of castrated and sterilized cats
Such representatives of the British are very lazy and sedentary, which must be taken into account when choosing a pet’s diet. If you decide to use dry food, then you just need to choose the appropriate 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 fermented milk products into your diet. For meat, use beef, chicken, rabbit. Watch carefully to make sure your pet doesn't start to gain weight.
Prohibited Products
To properly prepare a 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 from Whiskas, KiteKat, Friskies, as they contain cheap products that turn into carcinogens when processed.
These foods should not be fed to Britons as it will immediately affect their health and can lead to obesity and bacterial contamination. You should not feed your pets human food. Salted or smoked ingredients will cause disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
