Cats and male cats of the British breed have the best health. Unlike most brothers of other breeds, they are not prone to any genetic diseases, and they are exposed to few pathologies during their lives. But this does not mean that there is no need to monitor their health. A systematically incorrect diet can negatively affect the condition of the strongest animal. Owners of British dogs should know how to properly organize their pet’s diet so that it maintains its health.
BRITISH KITTENS, CATS, CATS CARE, FEEDING, NUTRITION: RULES FOR BRITISH
British cats, whether cats, cats or kittens, need daily care and feeding (nutrition). This needs to be done correctly, because this is not a newly acquired toy, but a small living creature. You need to take the care and feeding of British cats seriously. It must be remembered that this is a purebred animal, and one might say “artificially created” by man. The immunity of all purebred animals without exception is very weak. And the fact that a barn cat is considered normal is not suitable on the menu of a British kitten.
Nutritional features of elderly and sick British cats
Adults and elderly individuals require special care and nutrition. They should receive a balanced diet, essential minerals and vitamins. Food for such pets should contain little fat and more protein and carbohydrates. Britons' tastes can change as they age. They become capricious and picky. They often refuse their usual food.
This can happen due to the presence of chronic and age-related diseases. An elderly body absorbs vitamins, micro- and macroelements worse. This is due to deterioration of absorption of the stomach and intestines. In this case, it is necessary to include additional vitamin and mineral supplements in the diet. To slow down the aging process of the body, the animal should receive:
- vitamins B, E, C;
- beta-carotene;
- glucosides.
An older animal should be seen by a veterinarian and its health status checked regularly. The specialist will adjust nutrition in the right direction depending on individual problems.
WHEN SHOULD I START COMPLETE FEEDING FOR BRITISH KITTENS?
When to start complementary feeding for British kittens is a question that worries happy owners after joining the cat family. At first, this is the concern of the cat's mother. And the longer she plays this role of nurse, the better.
Complementary feeding should begin at about 3 weeks of age, preferably with milk for kittens. If suddenly the kitten refuses to eat, then you should wait a little and offer it again for a couple of days; most likely the kitten is getting enough of its mother’s milk.
Feeding a British baby at 1 month
Any living creature needs breast milk after birth, and the British baby is no exception. In the first month of life, a cat should be under the reliable care of its mother cat. Her milk contains all the components necessary for growth and development.
During this period, it is important to provide the cat with proper nutrition so that the remaining milk can receive all the necessary substances, thanks to which the kitten will develop a strong immune system.
If the nurse has some health problems, or for some reason the kitten cannot be under the care of the parent, the owners of a furry pet should develop a healthy diet for the newborn. So, what to feed a British kitten in the first month of life:
- In pet stores you need to purchase special milk for newborn kittens. This product contains a correctly selected composition of components, close to breast milk.
- Gradually, mashed egg whites and liquid semolina porridge cooked in skim milk can be added to the diet. Portions should be minimal. The number of feedings per day is 3-4 times. These foods are also included in the diet of breastfed kittens.
FEEDING BRITISH: BRITISH KITTENS, CATS, FROM BIRTH TO ONE YEAR
Feeding of the British: British kittens, cats, cats from birth to one year we will divide them in detail and describe them in the table.
Until the age of 3 months, a British kitten receives nutritious food in the nursery, and then the new parents monitor its nutritious nutrition.
| Feeding Brits by age | How many times to feed a Briton: British kitten, cat, cat | Diet of a British kitten, cat, cat: British food at a certain age | What do British kittens eat: balance of dry and wet food |
| British kitten 0-3 weeks | What to feed small British kittens? — We don’t feed, the mother cat takes on this important function. | ||
| British kittens, feeding at 3-4 weeks | We start feeding once a day; by the end of the 4th week, complementary feeding should be 3 times a day. The main food is still the milk of the mother cat. | British kitten diet:
| 100% wet food |
| Feeding British kittens at 1-1.5 months | Complementary feeding 3-6 times a day (depending on the frequency of feeding the mother cat). Kittens gradually refuse their mother's milk. | What to feed a one-month-old British kitten - Diet of a British kitten:
| 100% wet food |
| Feeding British kittens at 2 months | What to feed a British kitten - Complementary feeding 6-8 times a day in small portions | British kitten diet:
| 100% wet food, some of which is soaked dry food (so that kittens get used to the taste of such food) |
| Feeding British kittens at 3 months | Complementary feeding 6 times a day | British kitten food:
| 90% wet food, 10% dry food |
| Feeding British kittens at 4-6 months | Complementary feeding 5-6 times a day; by the end of the 6th month, feeding a British kitten is reduced to 4 times a day | British cat diet:
| 70-80% wet food, 20-30% dry food |
| Feeding British kittens at 6-10 months | British kittens are fed 3-4 times a day | Diet of British cats:
From 6 months we remove milk from the diet! | 60-70% wet food, 30-40% dry food |
| Feeding a British cat 10-12 months | The British cat is fed 2-3 times a day. Feeding British cats after 10 months can already be practically equated to adult nutrition. | Diet of British cats:
| 50-60% wet food 40-50% dry food |
| Adult British cat, feeding after a year | Feeding remains this way throughout the animal’s life. Feeding a British cat after a year - 2 times a day. | Diet of British cats:
| At least 30% wet food, the rest dry food |
Store-bought feed
Only high-quality premium and holistic industrial feeds are suitable for constant nutrition. Giving an animal economy-class food is highly discouraged, since it is not of high quality and the composition is unbalanced. In the future, if such food is regularly consumed, serious health problems may arise.
When choosing ready-made food, you can consult a veterinarian, or study the assortment in pet stores and choose food designed for the British breed. If a kitten purchased from a nursery has already been accustomed to dry food and eats only this way, you should feed the baby the same brand that the breeder used.
Recommended industrial feeds for the British breed
On mobile, you can scroll the table horizontally with your finger.
| Food name/class | Features and Benefits | Flaws |
| Royal Canin British Shorthair (premium) | A special food developed only for the British breed. The food granules have a large, curved shape, which is why the animal cannot swallow it whole, and the granules themselves promote active cleansing of the teeth and oral cavity. The composition contains taurine, Omega-3 acids, which strengthen the heart and circulatory system. | Natural meat and fish are replaced with proteins of plant origin. |
| Go! Natural Cat Chicken, Fruit, & Vegetable (holistic) | Protein – 32%. Components:
The composition contains taurine, which strengthens and supports the functioning of the heart. Suitable for feeding kittens and British adults. | Some components of the food are allergic and can cause allergies. |
| Hill's Nature's Best™ With Real Chicken Adult Cat (Premium) | Protein – 30%. Components:
The composition contains many vitamins and mineral elements. The food is intended for British children from 12 months, taking into account all their physiological characteristics. | The presence of corn in the composition can provoke an allergic reaction. |
| Earthborn Holistic, Primitive Feline Natural Cat Food (holistics) | Protein – 44%. Components:
Balanced composition, including calcium, vitamins, phosphorus. Suitable for animals that must follow a diet. | High price. |
| Bosch Sanabelle Grande (super premium) | Proteins – 31%. Components:
Mussels help strengthen joint and cartilage tissue. The food contains Yucca extract, which reduces the odor of cat excrement. Helps prevent the formation of kidney stones. | Quite a high cost. Lack of information from the manufacturer regarding the type of antioxidant included in the feed. |
Ready-made dry and wet food for little British dogs
According to veterinary experts, Petreet Natura, Royal Canin Kitten, Brit Care Kitten, Purina Pro Plan are suitable for British kittens.
HOW TO FEED CORRECTLY A BRITISH: BRITISH KITTEN, CAT, CAT
How to feed a British cat correctly: British kitten, cat, cat? First of all, you need to remember that Britons, like other cats, are predators. There is no need to insist that your pet eat cereals, cereals, vegetables, eggs, etc. The main diet of British cats is meat: beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit, fish, liver, heart, etc. Properly feeding a British cat means maintaining a balanced diet, periods between feedings, not overfeeding and monitoring the animal’s weight. Also read about everything a kitten needs in a new home.
Feeding a British baby at 2 months
The first month of the furry baby's life has passed. His body now requires additional elements. Before feeding a 2-month-old British breed kitten, you need to study the list of acceptable foods necessary for proper growth and development.
Starting from 4-5 weeks of life, solid food can be gradually introduced into the menu. It is better to start with low-fat beef, previously frozen and finely chopped. For one feeding, a serving of 10-15 g is sufficient.
Your baby's diet should also include:
- fresh milk;
- delicious milk porridges cooked with low-fat milk;
- natural soft cheese;
- low-fat cream;
- egg yolk;
- fresh cottage cheese.
You can supplement the menu with pates and canned food purchased from specialized pet stores or veterinary pharmacies. The manufacturer's recommendations regarding age restrictions must be indicated on the packaging.
Experienced breeders do not advise buying cheap products of questionable quality. If you want to pamper your furry baby, buy him a good product from a reliable manufacturer!
Important:
- when introducing new foods into your lop-eared pet’s diet, monitor his body’s reaction;
- do not exceed the permissible limits when feeding the baby, overeating can be fraught with consequences;
- Don’t be lazy to cook separately for a purebred cat; he should not eat food with seasonings, spices and other additives typical of foods consumed by humans.
HOW AND WHAT TO FEED A BRITISH KITTEN, CAT, CAT (BRITISH SHORTHAIR)
See the table for how and what to feed your British kitten, cat, cat. In addition to dry food, there are many useful and necessary products that your pet needs.
| Nutrition | Comments | How often can you feed your kitten this food? |
| Dry food | Premium/super premium class: Orijen, Acana, Farmina, Go, Eukanuba, Bosch, Innova Evo, 1st Choice, Hill`s, Optimal, Balmax, Animonda, Iams Cat, Royal Canin (not Russian!), Hill`s, Pro Plan ) Be sure to buy food according to the age of the kitten! | every day |
| Beef raw | Finely chopped or twisted through a meat grinder (be sure to freeze for at least 24 hours, you can first pour boiling water over it) | every day |
| Meat raw or cooked | Turkey, lamb, rabbit (any meat must be frozen for at least 24 hours) | 3-4 times a week |
| Canned food | Especially for kittens, preferably from the same manufacturer as the food | every day |
| Preserves | Especially for kittens, preferably from the same manufacturer as the food | every day |
| Children's canned meat | Orshansky, Agusha, Babushkino Lukoshko, Bellakt, etc. | every day |
| Boiled chicken | Can be done with broth | 2-3 times a week |
| Yolk | Raw/cooked, can be mixed with kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream, etc. | 2-3 times a week |
| Fermented milk products | Sour cream, kefir, cottage cheese, natural yogurt, cream, yogurt, fermented baked milk (all without additives) | 2-3 times a week |
| Vegetables | Zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, cabbage | 1-2 times a week |
| Cereals | Rice, oatmeal, buckwheat | 1-2 times a week |
| By-products | Liver, heart, chicken gizzards, kidneys, tongue, tripe (beef and chicken) | 1 time per week |
| Omelette | Egg with milk, without salt, seasonings, etc. | 1 time per week |
| Cheese | Not greasy | no more than once a week |
| Boiled sea fish | Only fillet, cook for 5-10 minutes, optional with broth | no more than once a week |
| Fresh water | Change the water at least once a day | always freely available |
| Grass | You can buy already sprouted or grow it yourself; the grass can also be replaced with a special paste for digestion, sold at any pet store | every day |
| Vitamins | Beaphar vitamins are excellent today. Required according to age and weight! | according to instructions |
What to feed and diet
Like any other breed of cat, British cats can be fed natural food or industrial products. Each option has advantages and disadvantages. Using natural food will help save money, and the owner will also be sure that the pet is receiving high-quality food without chemicals.
The downside of the solution is that cooking will take a lot of time, and ready-made food is stored for only 2 days. If it is not possible to constantly cook, weigh portions and count calories, it is better for the British to give super-premium or holistic class industrial food.
Difficult choice
Food for British cats should be selected taking into account the characteristics of the breed, age, weight and health of the pet. It must contain useful microelements, vitamins and amino acids that will help support the body and strengthen the immune system.
Regardless of the chosen diet, adult healthy individuals are fed 2 times a day - morning and evening. Since cats of this breed are prone to gaining excess weight, it is strictly forbidden to overfeed them, as well as starve them.
In order for the animal to get used to the diet, it is recommended to give food at the same time. This approach will make your pet disciplined and minimize the risk of digestive problems. The amount of the daily dose is calculated by the formula - 40-60 g per kilogram of weight. The resulting figure must be divided into 2 meals.
Natural products
Many breeders prefer natural products because they consider them safer and healthier. A natural dog can really benefit an animal, but only if it is chosen correctly.
Natural nutrition
Feeding British breed cats with food from the human table is strictly prohibited, as this can provoke the development of various pathologies. The following products should predominate in the animal’s diet:
- Meat. The British can be fed exclusively lean meat, so it is recommended to stick to chicken, turkey or beef. Meat should make up at least 65% of the total daily nutrition. If there are veins in the raw product, it is recommended to remove them or cut them into small pieces.
- Vegetables, legumes, fruits. Compared to meat, such products are not as well absorbed. However, they must be present in the diet, as they serve as a source of vegetable protein. Vegetables and fruits make up about 20% of the daily dosage.
- Porridges make up about 10% of the diet. Buckwheat, rice, oatmeal and porridge cooked with milk are considered the healthiest for cats. To ensure that the animal does not refuse the treat, the porridge must be mixed with minced meat or chopped meat.
- By-products (liver, kidneys, heart). It is recommended to feed your Briton such foods no more than 1-2 times a week, and it is advisable to chop the food. Not only do organ meats contain nutrients, but they also help prevent plaque.
- Fermented milk products (cheese, kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream). You can feed your cat milk no more than 2 times a week; you can give no more than a teaspoon of one product or another at a time.
- Yolk. It is allowed to use chicken and quail eggs (both raw and boiled). They should be given to your pet at least once a week.
In order for the animal to willingly eat the offered treat, the volume of the side dish should not exceed a quarter of the entire dish.
On a note! Many owners of British dogs complain that their pet's belly sag greatly (this feature can be quite pronounced). There is no need to worry about this, since a hanging belly is a physiological norm for this breed.
Feeding dry food
If the owner decides to feed the cat dry food, it must be selected specifically for the breed, paying attention to the manufacturer and composition. The most preferred foods are super-premium and holistic foods. Since the British are picky about food, it is recommended to buy food in small packages and see what your pet likes best.
Dry food
The best dry food for British cats are:
- Earthborn Holistic. Contains more than 40% protein and a minimal amount of carbohydrates. The food is made from meat, brown rice, flax seed and eggs. It also contains vegetables and fruits, ascorbic acid and vitamin E, which strengthen the pet’s immune system. The product is small granules and is ideal for animals with stomach problems.
- Go. The main ingredients are chicken, rice, apples, rolled oats and alfalfa. Thanks to this composition, Go food rarely causes an allergic reaction. Protein content is about 32%. The food is suitable for pets of all ages and contains taurine, which strengthens the myocardium and has a positive effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- Bosch Sanabelle Grande. The percentage of protein in it is at least 31%. Due to its low mineral content, Bosch Sanabelle Grande can be given even to pets who have an increased likelihood of developing stones in the urinary system. A distinctive feature of the product is that it contains mussel meat, which strengthens joints.
Veterinarians advise purchasing food that contains a minimum amount of plant carbohydrates, since they can also contribute to excess weight gain.
Wet food
In order for your pet to be healthy, active and live for many years, veterinarians strongly do not recommend feeding it exclusively dry food. The best option is to alternate such food with wet canned food, which is an intermediate option between industrial and natural food.
Wet food
Good quality wet food is more beneficial for cats than super-premium dry food, but it is also more expensive. The main advantage of canned food is that it contains about 80% moisture, while dry food contains only 6%. Moreover, unlike drying, they can be combined with natural food.
The most suitable wet food for British cats:
- Happy Cat (with lamb, beef, duck, sea fish). The product is manufactured by a famous German brand and belongs to the premium class category. Despite the affordable price, canned food has a natural composition and contains components that are beneficial for cats. Disadvantages of Happy Cat food: it is difficult to find on sale and it can cause an allergic reaction in some pets.
- Animonda (turkey, rabbit, beef, chicken, trout, salmon, shrimp flavours). The food of the German brand Animonda is of high quality and belongs to the super-premium class. Canned food is made exclusively from proteins and fats of natural origin, making them not only nutritious, but also healthy.
- Leonardo. It is considered one of the best brands producing super-premium products. The food is made from high-quality meat (mainly chicken), with seafood, fish oil and fish as additives. If you feed your pet canned food and Leonardo dry food, you don’t have to worry about his health.
- Applaws. Produced in Britain and belongs to the holistic class. This food contains a lot of natural meat, there are no chemical additives or dyes. Its main disadvantages are high cost and rarity.
- Bozita. Swedish food that undergoes strict quality control, which guarantees the absence of harmful additives and substances.
Important! If your pet has a mixed diet, dry and wet food must belong to the same class.
What should you not give?
To prevent the development of health problems in a pet, the owner needs to not only know what food is best to give at home, but also understand which foods are prohibited for the British.
Satisfied and full
Cats of this breed are strictly prohibited from giving the following:
- bones of fish or poultry (an animal can choke on them or injure the walls of the gastrointestinal tract);
- fatty meat (especially lamb);
- foods with high fat content;
- spicy, smoked and fried foods;
- sweets and baked goods (can cause problems with teeth and the immune system);
- potatoes (excessive amounts of starch are poorly absorbed in the animal’s stomach);
- eggplants, onions, garlic, citrus fruits;
- raw river fish (can lead to infection with parasites).
Owners who care about the health of their pet should absolutely not feed it with economy-class products, since most of it consists of inorganic and harmful components that can provoke the development of various pathologies.
How to feed?
Adult British pets over a year old are fed 2 times a day - morning and evening. If the owner uses dry food, it should make up about 60-70% of the daily diet, the rest is best given canned.
Canned food
The amount of food is calculated individually for each case, since the dosage depends on the type of product, age and weight of the pet. The average daily dose is 200-240 g.
NUTRITION FOR BRITISH KITTENS, CATS, CATS: PROHIBITED PRODUCTS FOR BRITISH people
Prohibited foods for feeding British cats (British kittens, cats, cats) should be remembered and avoid feeding the animal with them. This can lead to serious consequences!
CAN BRITISH FISH?
Can Brits eat fish? – You can, but only boiled seafood and definitely fillet.
River fish themselves live in a not very clean environment, and for a purebred British kitten this can be critical. Be sure to boil the fish, because... we don’t know where it was lying, what hands touched it and what else it might contain. After keeping it in boiling water for 10 minutes, you can safely give it to the kitten. Be sure to remove any bones; fish bones are quite sharp and can injure your pet.
CAN A BRITISH KITTEN HAVE MILK?
Can a British kitten have milk? – It’s also possible, but only up to six months. It is not recommended to continue giving milk, as it is poorly digested in cats. It is better for the British to replace milk with fermented milk products.
What not to feed a British kitten:
|
Basic principles of natural nutrition
In the wild, felines eat raw meat, and carbohydrates enter their bodies in a semi-digested form. Animals eat a variety of foods, but not all types of meat and vegetables are suitable for them. This knowledge forms the basic nutritional principles for creating the best food for British cats:
- The diet includes both meat, vegetables, and grains, forming a balanced menu.
- Poultry and beef are healthy meats; pork should be excluded.
- Oatmeal, rice, and buckwheat are most beneficial for cats.
- It is worth choosing non-starchy vegetables. For example, beets, cabbage, cucumbers, carrots.
- Dairy products should not be fatty or sweet. The diet may include not only milk, but also kefir, fermented baked milk, and cottage cheese.
If the owner chooses natural food to feed the cat, then it should not be food from the human table. The animal must be cooked separately. Therefore, you should evaluate whether there is enough time for this.
How to properly handle products:
- Meat and vegetables are given both raw and boiled. It often contains parasite larvae, so it is better to freeze it and then pour boiling water over it.
- The fish must be boiled before the bones are removed. Lean ocean fish are best.
- To make the coat shiny, animal bran, rich in B vitamins, is added to dairy products.
Fact! According to research, food from the human table is absorbed by the animal’s body only by 30%. If the cat is prepared separately, then the percentage increases to 55. Ready-made specialized food is absorbed much better: dry by 85%, and wet by 97%.
Prohibited Products
To avoid health problems for a British cat, it is important to know what should never go into his bowl:
- pork;
- sweet pastries and chocolate;
- raw eggs;
- Coffee and tea;
- alcohol;
- tomatoes, potatoes and citrus fruits;
- nuts and spices.
Cheap food rich in plant components is also not the best choice. According to reviews from veterinarians, a combination of dry and wet food is optimal for a British cat.
FEEDING NEUTERED BRITISH CATS AND STERILIZED BRITISH CATS
Feeding castrated British cats and sterilized British cats is practically no different from ordinary ones. The most important rule is to monitor the weight of the British, since all spayed and neutered animals are prone to obesity.
If, indeed, a castrated British cat or a sterilized British cat begins to gain excess weight, you should switch to low-calorie food; now there are special series of food for such animals. Contains more vegetables and less fat. This way you can regulate your pet's weight. You should also think about vitamins. Professional advice on an individual basis can be obtained at a veterinary clinic.
Feeding a British baby at 4 months
At the fourth month of life, the fold-eared purebred cat is already a fully formed animal, with beautiful shiny fur and adult behavior. It has already increased significantly in size, its weight exceeds its original parameters by about three times. At this age, you can safely add special dry food for British kittens to your diet. The number of feedings is reduced, and the dosage of portions is increased.
The main menu continues to be dominated by products acceptable for feeding kittens 3 months of age. Approximately 25-30% of the total diet consists of dry food. During this period, the owner needs to decide on the manufacturer of cat food, giving preference to proven brands. You can consult your veterinarian on this issue, not forgetting to take into account personal observations of your furry pet.
High-quality food is sold at a higher price, but this is not a reason to save on the health of your new friend. You should not buy food for your domestic cat in dubious places; it is better to purchase nutritious products from pet stores that are certified for animal products.
Breeders do not recommend purchasing feed in bulk at local markets. The quality of such products is very questionable, which means that feeding these compounds can negatively affect the health of the animal.
WHAT TO FEED A PREGNANT BRITISH CAT
What to feed a pregnant British cat: the diet remains the same. Add more beef, beef heart, liver. We do not overfeed the British cat - if you give too much excess food, and also high-calorie food, the kittens will grow too large and it will be difficult for her to give birth to them. Vitamins are also not recommended.
What is really important is the transition from regular dry food to food for pregnant women. Now almost every manufacturer has provided for this and has released special lines of food for pregnant cats, for example, Royal Canin QUEEN.
| In our cattery you can “buy a real British kitten.” We have many different colors, we will help you choose and answer all your questions! |
Nutritional features of a pregnant cat
A pregnant cat needs special and enhanced nutrition. The diet should include veal, chicken, and beef. Sometimes you can feed fish, as long as there are no bones in it. It is recommended to give the “future mother” dairy products - kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream and others. There must be vegetables. This is necessary to ensure that the body receives the necessary vitamins.
Bone meal can be used as an additional additive. Sometimes pregnant cats may have problems with bowel movements. To eliminate this problem, broths containing meat and warm milk are introduced. Sausage, sweets, and foods with seasonings should be completely excluded. Such foods can cause diseases such as kidney stones and heart failure.
A nursing cat needs an enhanced diet.
What to feed a cat after giving birth
During the first few days, the cat may completely refuse to eat. There's nothing wrong with that. The main thing is that the cat drinks water during this period. Mom needs to give food more often - 5-6 times a day. Veterinarians advise switching the cat to liquid food in the first weeks.
New products are gradually being introduced - meat, vegetables. If the cat is on a ready-made diet, many manufacturers have specially formulated foods in their product line.
Prohibited Products
British cats should not be fed the following foods:
- fatty meat;
- bones;
- river fish;
- fatty fermented milk products;
- egg white;
- sausages;
- conservation (for people);
- fried foods;
- spicy and salty foods;
- sweets, chocolate;
- baking, baked goods;
- food from your table.
The right approach to feeding a British breed cat is the key to good health and long life for a furry family member!
Dry and wet food for the British
A more simplified method of feeding a British cat is based on ready-made food. This option is great for owners who are unable to regularly prepare healthy food for their pets. The main thing is to choose the right food and calculate the daily intake in accordance with the age of the kitten.
Responsible manufacturers create high-quality products that contain all the vitamin and mineral complexes necessary for the British. The range of such products includes a wide variety of compositions in dry and canned forms. When choosing, be sure to study the manufacturer’s recommendations published on the packaging!
Which food to choose, dry or wet, is up to you! You can combine these two types in an approximate ratio of 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30%. If the British cat is fed exclusively dry food, it is necessary to provide the animal with free access to clean drinking water.
The canned product is placed in a clean bowl in strictly measured quantities for one feeding. It is unacceptable to leave food “for later”; after each feeding, the animal’s bowl is cleared of product residues and thoroughly washed with clean water.
Advice from experienced breeders:
- For favorable growth and development, combine dry food with wet food. It is better to serve canned products for breakfast and dinner, and during the day you can feed your pet with dry food.
- Even if you feed your cat exclusively prepared food, regularly add pieces of fresh meat to the standard diet.
- The best food for a purebred British dog is premium (for example, Whiskas, Hills). Do not buy the budget version of the product, as these formulations do not contain enough necessary elements for proper growth and development. After feeding with cheap food, complications in terms of physical health are often observed. If you consume low-quality products, your kitten may develop urolithiasis and other chronic ailments.
- If you plan to castrate a mature British cat, buy special food with the appropriate label. These products contain a balanced complex of essential microelements, taking into account hormonal changes in the animal’s body. Similar rules are followed for cats that have been sterilized.
Should vitamins be added to the British diet?
Vitamins, interval complexes and other biological supplements must be included in the diet of a cat that is on a natural diet. Conventional products do not contain enough useful elements, so compensation is required. The need for vitamins in the British also increases during the growth period (from 3 to 6 months), during pregnancy and lactation, after surgery or a serious illness. Cats of this breed most often lack vitamin B, so it is necessary to purchase medications that contain it.
Before starting any medication, it is recommended to show the animal to a veterinarian. The doctor will determine the need to use certain supplements, and will also select vitamins taking into account the individual characteristics of your pet.
Useful vitamins for British cats:
- Vitamins Kitzim. They are made in the UK, contain magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, taurine, B vitamins. Can be used for kittens, pregnant and lactating cats, and adult animals.
- Beaphar. This is a food supplement with biotin and taurine for adult cats produced in Holland. Contains B vitamins, as a result of which it has a positive effect on the animal’s fur, preventing its loss.
- Canina. These vitamins are produced in Germany and contain biotin, phosphorus, calcium and fiber, vitamins B12 and A. They are used in adult and elderly cats and kittens to prevent skin problems.
- Omega Neo is a domestic product. The tablets contain essential fatty acids omega-3, omega-6, vitamins A, B, E, taurine. Used to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent joint diseases in adult cats.
- Veda Biorhythm - Russian vitamins developed specifically for kittens. They are used during the growth period as they improve the absorption of nutrients. Veda Biorhythm contains B vitamins, L-carnitine, taurine.
Do not forget that in most cases, vitamin and mineral complexes are taken in a course of 1–3 months. This allows you to create a depot of active components in the cat’s body. Longer use may lead to undesirable consequences. One of my colleagues, who got a British cat, purchased several different vitamin supplements at once on the advice of a veterinarian. She regularly added them to her pet’s food for six months. Gradually, the owner noticed a change in the pet’s appearance and behavior. He became more inhibited and aggressive, his fur looked unkempt. The woman took the cat to a veterinary clinic, where doctors diagnosed hypervitaminosis due to the abuse of biological additives. After stopping the pills, the animal immediately began to feel better.
Photo gallery: Vitamins that are good for Brits
Omega Neo contains essential amino acids
Kitzym vitamins are best suited for British cats Veda Biorhythm vitamins are created specifically for the growing kitten’s body
Diet depending on age
The development of the digestive system in British kittens occurs gradually, so some types of foods can cause colic, bloating or indigestion.
1-2 month
A 1-2 month old kitten is fed liquid milk porridges, pureed soups with chicken broth, cottage cheese mashed with low-fat sour cream or milk.
3 months
From this period, babies are given meat, in addition to cereals and soups. It is frozen and scraped with a sharp knife or passed through a meat grinder.
6 months and older
Kittens of this age can already be given all of the above products, paying attention to temperature and freshness.
We distinguish cats of the Scottish breed from the British
The "British" ears are set wide apart, and the cat can turn them. The Scottish breed is characterized by a special feature: the ears look “forward”, but cannot look “to the sides”.
British Shorthair
Scottish lop-eared
In general, the ears of the “Scots” are set high, and they are close to each other. The Scottish Fold also has a narrow ear base.
We list other important signs:
- The British breed is characterized by “wide bones” and a dense build. The coat is short, and the undercoat resembles velvet. The tail should be wide and short.
- The Scottish Fold cat is in some ways the opposite of the “British cat”. Its characteristics are long limbs and a tail, as well as an elongated body.
If you look only at the ears, the name speaks for itself: the fold-eared breed cannot be confused with anything else.
Breed "Scottish Fold"
Things to consider
When choosing food, it should be remembered that the type of food that the owner uses in the first 6 months of a kitten’s life has a strong influence on the British cat’s food preferences. They may choose one type and refuse to eat all the others. To switch to a new type of food, they need a long time and gradual replacement of attractive food with a desirable product. You can avoid the formation of food preferences if you use complex commercial feeds.
It is also necessary to take into account that a kitten is a small tiger cub that needs a large amount of animal protein to grow. For health and vigor, a kitten needs 2 times more protein than a puppy, the same applies to fats.
This is due to the fact that the cat’s body is not able to independently synthesize essential amino acids such as taurine and arginine. Therefore, the British diet must include meat. In the wild, cats fed on animals and birds, eating them whole, which enriched the body with all the necessary micro- and macroelements.
Already in childhood, the British kitten is distinguished by its massive skeleton and well-developed muscles. To form a strong skeleton, the baby needs calcium and phosphorus. But they are not absorbed if there is not enough vitamin D3.
However, its excess can lead to negative consequences. To avoid this, you need vitamin K2, which is able to direct calcium to where it is needed, and not to the formation of kidney and gallstones. Magnesium is necessary for the biotransformation of calcium and phosphorus.
In addition to these nutrients, the diet of a strong Briton should include vitamins:
- A – so that calcium and phosphorus are deposited in bone tissue;
- B6 - activates the production of collagen fibers - the basis of tendons, articular cartilage, skin;
- C – also participates in collagen synthesis;
- PP – improves joint mobility;
- E – helps maintain articular cartilage elastic.
If the owner chooses professional ready-made food of high quality, then he will not have to calculate the amount of vitamins the baby needs - they are all there. But if the owner decides to feed the small predator with natural products, then he will have to introduce vitamin and mineral supplements into the diet.
The best vitamins for British kittens are Gimpet Baby Tabs. Children are gradually accustomed to them. Tablets (up to 10 pieces per day) are crushed and added to food. They differ in color and, in addition to basic vitamins and minerals, amino acids, contain additional:
- pink – fruit puree;
- green – seaweed.
Another feature of the British must be taken into account when drawing up a feeding schedule and calculating portions. Kittens of this breed grow simply rapidly. To provide the body with the energy and “building materials” necessary for growth and tissue formation, the amount of food should be large and amount to 10% of the kitten’s body weight per day. But since the baby’s stomach has a small volume, the daily requirement must be divided into portions:
- up to 6 months – by 4-6;
- from 6 to 8 months. – by 3;
- from 8 months - on 2.
Food can be left in constant access. The baby will eat exactly as much as necessary. Little Britons are not prone to overeating.
