Many owners of domestic neutered cats are puzzled by the question of which brand is best to choose food for their pet. Despite the fact that the sterilization procedure is absolutely safe for a healthy young cat, sterilized individuals may experience body disorders such as excess weight or difficulty functioning of the heart and blood vessels. This is the reason for the need to create a balanced diet, which includes special food.
Most often, it is carried out as a sterilization procedure in order to prevent the occurrence of unwanted odors in the house and to rid the animal of aggression.
What can you feed a neutered cat?
When choosing a diet for a neutered cat, the simplest solution is to trust ready-made industrial food.
Among their advantages the following can be noted:
- Strict balance of vitamins and minerals.
- Moderate calorie content, preventing the development of obesity.
- The presence of additives for optimal urine pH, which serves as the prevention of urolithiasis.
Sometimes, if there are veterinary indications or due to personal preferences, the owner chooses a natural diet.
In this case, the basis of nutrition consists of the following products:
- Lean meats.
- Beef and chicken by-products.
- Dairy products.
Additionally, fresh vegetables and cereals should be included in the diet. You can give your pet a small amount of boiled sea fish no more than once a week.
Also, with a natural type of feeding, the use of vitamins is mandatory. To select them, it is best to contact a qualified veterinarian.
Differences between food for sterilized cats and cats
After sterilization or castration, cats undergo changes in their bodies, so they need to establish proper nutrition. The animal's behavior becomes more phlegmatic and aggression disappears. Such pets live longer and are less prone to cancer, but their body is prone to developing:
- obesity;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- decreased activity;
- urolithiasis.
In this regard, all good food intended for sterilized cats and female cats is developed taking into account all these characteristics of the body.
There are 4 classes of dry food:
- Economy These are cheap products, so they contain bone meal, offal, flavorings and flavoring additives. Colored granules. These include Whiskas, Friskas, Kitiket
- Premium The composition contains protein and by-products. These include Hills and Royal Canin.
- Super premium. Meat and a small amount of offal predominate. This group contains foods such as 1st Choice and Profine Adult Cat.
- Holistic. The highest class of products. They are prepared according to the development of nutritionists and include dehydrated meat and fish. It does not contain poorly digestible plant proteins (corn, gluten, wheat). Vegetables act as fiber and there are absolutely no artificial ingredients in this product.
Signs that food is suitable for your pet
The health of your pet primarily depends on feeding.
You can evaluate the results of using a new diet only after a month based on the following criteria:
- Thick, shiny coat. Indicates that the diet contains all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.
- Normal weight and good appetite.
- No problems with stool.
Be sure to read:
Can cats eat fish: how much can you give, what are the benefits and harms, what is not allowed, combination with food
Selection rules
The health of your pet primarily depends on feeding.
The cat food market is quite large. Each brand has its own line of diets, focused on the different needs of pets.
When choosing, pay attention to the following:
- The food must be marked “For castrated animals.”
- If your cat is prone to obesity, preference should be given to low-calorie brands. They are usually labeled "Light". Calorie information can also be found on the packaging.
- The ash content of the composition. This is an indicator of the amount of minerals. Ideally, it should not exceed 7%.
- The presence of the inscription "Premium". The quality of such feeds is at the highest level, since they use a minimum of plant materials and a maximum of easily digestible proteins.
Special food or natural products?
Immediately after castration, the cat owner is faced with the question of choosing a feeding method. For example, if you have enough free time and the desire to cook, you can choose a natural diet.
It should be noted right away that natural feeding and food from the table are not the same thing.
Pros and cons of a natural diet
The advantages of natural food include the following:
- The diet can be tailored to the individual needs of the pet.
- The animal does not suffer from lack of water.
- Eating natural products, including raw meat, best suits the physiology of cats.
In addition to the positive aspects, natural food also has disadvantages:
- A significant amount of time is spent on preparation.
- Unappealing taste. This problem is most often encountered by animal owners who have previously used industrial feed with flavoring additives.
- High cost of products.
Advantages and disadvantages of industrial feeds
Commercially prepared dry rations are a popular feeding method.
Among their advantages, it should be noted:
- Convenience. It is enough to simply pour in the daily portion of food and ensure the availability of drinking water.
- Attractive to cats. The food contains special flavoring and aromatic additives that animals really like.
- Balanced vitamin and mineral composition.
The disadvantages include the following:
- Dry food is not suitable for cats who drink little.
- High probability of purchasing a fake.
- Allergic reactions.
Be sure to read:
Cat nutrition after sterilization: what food to feed, what to exclude from the diet
How to prevent urolithiasis?
Neutered cats are at risk for developing urolithiasis. This is explained by more concentrated urine and infrequent urination.
As a result of this, salt crystals form in the bladder, which, as the process progresses, turn into sand and stones. Their movement during urination leads to partial or complete blockage of the urethra.
In order to prevent the development of urolithiasis in castrated animals, specialized feed should be used. Their selection is carried out in strict accordance with the weight and age of the cat.
The most important condition for their use is constant access to clean drinking water. Also, they cannot be combined with natural foods.
Supporters of natural feeding in order to prevent urolithiasis introduce special acidifying additives into the diet. For example, you can use cranberry juice or ascorbic acid. Their use helps normalize urine pH levels.
Features of the diet of a cat after castration/sterilization
After surgery, pets experience hormonal disruption, and the lost interest in the opposite sex is compensated by an increased appetite. These dietary features should be taken into account.
- Do not overfeed. If you gain weight, switch to diet food or reduce the portion, but increase the number of feedings.
- Choose a diet that is lower in calories than your usual diet.
- Limit your intake of magnesium and phosphorus, because elements contribute to the occurrence of urolithiasis.
- Provide adequate amounts of fluids. With a dry diet, the animal needs three times more water than a portion of food.
There is food for cats that says “for neutered animals” on the packaging, but you need to know that there are no significant differences in the nutritional composition of regular pets and operated ones.
On a note! The manufacturer Grandorf produces the best food for sterilized cats.
How to avoid obesity?
Most neutered cats suffer from obesity.
The following factors contribute to its development:
- Sedentary lifestyle. The pet spends most of its time in an apartment in limited space. At the same time, the owner believes that the adult animal has long lost interest in active games.
- High calorie diet. Feeding without compliance with standards, leading to overfeeding, and food from the table.
- Unbalanced diet. Vitamin and mineral deficiency lead to metabolic disorders.
- Hormonal disbalance. It can also cause excess weight.
- Breed predisposition. Due to genetic characteristics, some breeds are prone to obesity. For example, Persian or British.
You can determine if your pet is obese by the following signs:
- Saggy belly.
- Complete absence of a “waist”.
- The chest and spine are almost not palpable.
If you suspect your pet is obese, you should show it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Only a specialist will be able to correctly assess the animal’s motor activity and, based on this, calculate the amount of feed.
Prevention of the development of obesity after castration comes down mainly to strict calculation of feeding portions and stimulation of the animal’s activity. For example, you can purchase a special play complex or take your pet for walks.
Be sure to read:
Royal Canin food for sterilized cats: features, composition, wet, advantages and disadvantages
Feeding schedule
It is best to feed castrated cats twice a day - morning and evening.
But if the cat is accustomed to eating once a day, it’s okay. It is better not to change his usual way of life too much after the operation; he has already experienced stress.
If you feed your animal dry food, you can leave the granules in the bowl for the whole day - when the cat wants, then he will eat. However, in no case should you exceed the daily feed allowance. As mentioned above, cats after castration are prone to rapid weight gain. The recommended amount of feed depends on the age and weight of the animal and is usually indicated on the food package.
Natural food quickly weathers and spoils, so its remains must be removed immediately as soon as the cat has finished the meal and moved away from the bowl. Your veterinarian will help you calculate the amount of food. When creating a diet yourself, you can hardly be sure that you are not overfeeding or starving your pet.
Popular and recommended brands
The range of food for neutered cats is quite diverse. But all of them can be classified into 2 large categories: premium and economy.
Royal Canin
The products of this manufacturer are well known throughout the world. It is distinguished by consistently high quality workmanship and the presence of specialized therapeutic diets.
The product line includes dry and wet food, taking into account age characteristics. For example, Sterilized 7+ food is intended for cats over 7 years old. For pets prone to obesity – Satiety Weight Management.
Pro Plan Sterilized
A well-known brand from the company PURINA. Helps maintain normal weight and healthy urinary system.
Contains the patented OPTIRENAL component, which combines all essential fatty acids and vitamins. For cats over 7 years old there is a special line Sterilized 7+.
Hill's
A line of premium food from a Dutch manufacturer. Often recommended by veterinarians, it contains no artificial additives.
Thanks to its unique formula, it controls mineral content, which prevents the formation of urinary stones. It also contains antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system.
Whiskas
Budget food. Characterized by low price. The series for sterilized cats includes dry food and pouches. The manufacturer recommends combining them. Use wet food for morning and evening feeding, and dry food during the day.
Wet food
This complete diet does not contain salt. This helps minimize the occurrence of urinary tract diseases in the future. Due to the low fat content, this food has a reduced calorie content.
Moreover, all useful components are included in the product. The consumption of such bags is also low, since due to the reduced activity of the sterilized animal, much less wet food will be needed than before the operation.
Brit Premium grain-free - no pungent odor
This wet food is suitable for spayed and neutered cats over one year of age and up to six years of age. One bag contains everything the animal needs. The composition contains a complex of minerals and vitamins, as well as chicken meat and other additives.
They make the coat shiny and well-groomed. In addition, additional components have a beneficial effect on your pet’s vision and mood. The high protein content in the composition keeps the animal full for a long time.
This food contains a natural preservative, tocopherol. Brit Premium must be stored at temperatures from 0° to 25°C and a relative humidity of no more than 80%. Suitable for all breeds.
Can be given every day. This food can also be fed to unsterilized and neutered cats and female cats. For one adult animal with an average weight of 5 kg, you will need four to six sachets per day.
Pros:
- no pungent odor;
- does not cause allergies;
- a complex of minerals and vitamins in the composition.
Minuses:
- price.
Royal Canin for the prevention of urolithiasis - for all breeds
This complete diet is suitable for senior pets aged seven years and older. One pouch weighing 85 g contains dehydrated meat fillet, taurine, L-carnitine, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Suitable for all breeds. Does not cause allergic reactions.
The components contained in Royal Canin help reduce the formation of crystals in the urine. As a result, the animal’s genitourinary system becomes healthy. Noticeable results can be seen within seven days. The cat's fur becomes smooth and shiny.
For an adult animal weighing 6 kg, you will need 59 g per day if it is overweight. For cats or cats of normal build with the same body weight, approximately 74 g of pate should be given.
Pros:
- no pungent odor;
- full composition;
- contains L-carnitine and taurine.
Minuses:
- price.
Purina Pro Plan Nutrisavour for the prevention of urolithiasis - minerals and amino acids in the composition
One pouch of this moist, complete diet contains meat and processed meat products, including chicken, fish and its derivatives, plant protein extracts and amino acids. Purina Pro Plan Nutrisavour also contains minerals, vegetable oils, animal fats, and vitamins. Additionally, the manufacturer added taurine to the feed.
An adult cat of average weight 5 kg will need approximately four sachets per day. They must be divided into two or three doses. The animal must be fed pate only at room temperature. The shelf life is two years.
Pros:
- natural composition;
- there is taurine;
- no pungent odor.
Minuses:
- price.
Bozita - convenient packaging
This wet treat is suitable for spayed and neutered pets aged seven years and older. One package weighing 190 g contains a complex of vitamins and minerals. The composition consists of almost 90% natural chicken meat and its processed products. Suitable for all breeds. Does not cause allergic reactions.
The Swedish-made food contains L-carnitine and taurine. These substances make the coat smooth and shiny, add stamina and energy. In addition, such components keep the animal’s vision normal. Bozita contains no grain filler.
Soft pieces in a delicate jelly will please even the most demanding neutered or neutered cats. This wet diet has a reduced calorie content compared to regular food. The energy value is 370 kcal per 100 g. For one animal weighing 5 kg, you will need 380 g of the contents of the package.
Pros:
- volume;
- does not cause allergies;
- for all breeds;
- convenient packaging.
Minuses:
- price.
Perfect Fit for the prevention of urolithiasis - maintains the health of the urinary system
These spiders are suitable for cats that have been spayed or neutered before the age of six. The food maintains the health of the urinary system and digestion. It contains rice and high quality proteins for optimal development and easy digestion.
Canned complete food contains all the nutrients necessary for the health of your furry pet. For optimal weight maintenance, the manufacturer added L-carnitine to wet food. This is the best diet in terms of price/quality ratio.
This moist diet is free of soy and wheat, which can cause intestinal upset and allergies. Pouch is enriched with zinc to strengthen the immune system, vitamins C, E and other antioxidants. Plant extracts help maintain normal intestinal microflora. The energy value of Perfect Fit is 380 kcal per 100 g.
Pros:
- convenient packaging;
- consistency;
- contains taurine and L-carnitine.
Minuses:
- price.
Mnyams for the prevention of urolithiasis - without preservatives and artificial colors
This holistic treatment is suitable for furry pets with sensitive digestion. The rabbit flavored pieces in the sauce are high in protein.
The food contains no artificial colors or preservatives. Such food is easily digestible, supports optimal digestion, increases the body's defenses and strengthens the health of the gastrointestinal tract.
This diet contains a complex of antioxidants that keeps your furry pet healthy. The high content of L-carnitine stimulates metabolic processes in the animal’s body and prevents excess weight from appearing.
Pros:
- supports optimal digestion;
- strengthens the immune system;
- no preservatives or artificial colors.
Minuses:
- packaging volume.
