What to feed Scottish Fold kittens natural food. Scottish Fold: how to properly feed a kitten from a month to a year? What not to feed

The breed, originally from Scotland, is captivating more and more people. The cute appearance and good character encourage many to adopt this furry miracle. However, the first thing you should familiarize yourself with is information about how to choose the right food for a Scottish Straight kitten.

What feeding is contraindicated

It’s worth starting with how a straight-eared baby should under no circumstances eat:

Excessively, by the way, is the most common mistake made by owners of small Scots. For some reason, it seems that a growing body needs as much food as possible. Meanwhile, the kitten often simply does not know the limits, eating much more than the norm if it is not controlled. By the way, an adult cat is sometimes also prone to overeating and his diet should be under control.
Smoked, salted, fried, spicy foods are not only undesirable, but strictly prohibited. Any such food from the table, which seems very tasty to a person, can harm the kitten. And given that the development of small Scottish cats begins in the womb, it is also extremely important to protect a pregnant cat from such food. And in principle, even an adult feline will not benefit from such food.
Bones - no way! They can hurt.
Expired food is undesirable even for an adult cat, and will even harm the delicate stomach of the younger generation. Even food that has recently begun to spoil should be discarded.
Unprocessed meat – it should be completely excluded from the diet. If an adult cat eats a raw piece of meat with pleasure and without negative consequences, the kitten will get indigestion.
Fatty meat, just like raw meat, is accepted by the cat’s stomach without gratitude.
Cream, sour cream - possible, but undesirable. The fact is that the listed products, according to some experts, are too heavy for the cat’s liver.

How to feed very small Straights

Until the little Scotsman is 2.5-3 months old, he cannot be separated from his mother. This is because mother’s milk is the most important food during this period of time. However, anything can happen, and sometimes babies are left without a mother for a month, or even earlier. Or mother's milk is not enough. In such cases, the owner will have to organize the baby’s meals himself. How to do this? By following the following instructions:

Food for Scottish Straight kittens at this time may consist of human formula milk. You can read about how to properly dilute the mixture on its packaging.
As for the frequency of feeding, it is recommended to adhere to a certain frequency when caring for a small kitten. So in the first three weeks you should eat straight literally every 2 hours. Then the interval between feedings can be slightly increased, and as a result, a month-old Scottish pet eats from 3 to 6 times per day.
Before the cat reaches 3 months of age, you should not give him ready-made dry or even natural food. A gradual transfer to types of food other than mixtures should be carried out exclusively from 2.5-3 months.

Basic nuances of feeding

Now let's talk about how to ideally feed a small Scottish cat from 3 to 12 months, about the main nuances:

If the owner of a furball decides to opt for dry food, he must take into account the correct method of serving it. Thus, feeding should be done by first wetting the crackers in milk, curdled milk, or at least water.
It is preferable to ask the breeder in advance about the menu he has compiled. At first, it is highly advisable to adhere to this menu when preparing the diet of your furry new baby. Otherwise, an unexpected sudden change in diet will most likely lead to indigestion.
The consistency of the food should be such that it is convenient for the baby to take it. That is, porridge should be given not hard-boiled, as adults are sometimes served, but liquid. Moreover, the thinner the porridge, the better.
A healthy diet must certainly include vitamins. Ready-made food already contains them in sufficient proportion. But fans of natural feeding will have to think about additionally balancing their pet’s food. There are special vitamin sets for this purpose. However, it is the veterinarian who must select such a set, since the individual characteristics of the animal must be taken into account.
Regardless of what complex the doctor prescribes, it is advisable to give kittens fish oil. This fat is extremely useful for the younger generation because it is a source of vitamins A and D.
Next, let's talk about water. Probably everyone has heard that it needs to be changed daily. But some breeders agree that it is preferable to change it twice a day.
Many people have also heard that it is preferable to choose between natural and ready-made food. But probably not everyone knows that it is possible to combine both dry and wet food of the same brand in the menu. Meanwhile, sticking to one specific manufacturer is highly advisable.
If you're testing something new or making a transition, it's worth starting with small portions. Individual intolerance has not been canceled, and a pet may simply not like new food. Experts advise introducing new components into the menu gradually, starting with a proportion of 30% of the total amount of food.
At first, the baby will stubbornly not understand that solid food needs to be eaten. But don’t be scared if the kitten plays with the pieces. This is normal - he should get used to it soon.
As soon as the kitten is 5 months old, the feeding frequency should be set to 5 times a day; at 9 months it is enough to feed 4 times. By the age of one year, the straight dog is ideally accustomed to the adult regimen, that is, eating 2-3 times a day.

Natural food for Scottish Straight kittens

Let's talk about natural food, which is preferred by most owners. So, what can you give a Scottish kitten?

Meat for a kitten, as for an adult, is extremely important. Breeders insist that meat should be present in the diet every day. But, of course, it must undergo pre-treatment, that is, be boiled or at least scalded. If the owner prefers freezing, then he should freeze the meat for at least 3-5 days. Dosage – approximately 30-40 g at a time. The pieces, of course, must be thoroughly chopped. As mentioned earlier, the product should be low-fat, that is, beef, turkey, and chicken are perfect.
Suitable by-products are beef or chicken - heart, lungs, liver, kidneys. The liver is especially useful, containing a lot of microelements and vitamins. However, breeders emphasize that, despite all the benefits of this product, it should not be given more than once a week. Otherwise, problems with the baby’s stomach cannot be avoided.
But you need to be careful with fish. It is both true and a myth that kittens benefit from feeding this type of food. Yes, it is a protein, but it is absorbed quickly, which can lead to kidney problems. Ideally, you can treat your pet to this food about once a week. Low-fat varieties are needed - hake, carp, perch. And, of course, it is important for kids to boil the fish first.
Dairy products also fall into the category of myths. Yes, milk is generally healthy, but it can only be given to kittens up to 3 months old. Which many people, unfortunately, don’t know about. If the owner feeds the baby himself, then until the specified age he can still give boiled milk, but later he should be weaned off milk. Otherwise, intestinal upset becomes a frequent companion of Scottish cats. The way out of the situation is to treat your pets with sour cream, kefir, and cottage cheese. It is preferable that the products contain a small percentage of fat. You can choose cottage cheese and kefir that are often fed to human children. By the way, a pregnant cat should also consume similar cottage cheese.
Vegetables are very useful for babies. Except for potatoes. Three times a week you can grate raw vegetables on a fine grater or puree boiled ones. Pumpkin is especially useful - it is a good remedy for worms.
From porridges you should choose oatmeal or buckwheat. You can cook them in both milk and water. And together with meat broth and vegetables, you get a great dish!

Special ready-made food: what to prefer

The most important rule in this case is that the food must be “premium class”. Even if such food is more expensive, it will definitely not cause harm and will be beneficial. As for the consistency, breeders especially like to feed their little charges mousse - it is most convenient to eat.

Food for babies must be designed for their age, since pellets for adult animals are larger and, as a result, inconvenient. As for brands, you should pay attention to the following:

“Hills” - contains phosphorus, magnesium, calcium in excellent balance. It has a medicinal line of foods available, but you should first consult with a veterinarian about the advisability of using them.
"Royal Canin" - contains enough fiber and an acceptable dosage of quickly digestible proteins. Helps create an optimal balance of intestinal flora and normalize the animal's stool.
“Innova EVO” is favored by experienced breeders due to its composition of fresh meat and vegetables, oils, minerals, and vitamins. Fats and oils have a good effect on the immunity of kittens, and the absence of harmful impurities and even taste and smell enhancers guarantees high quality food.
“Matisse” - most of the composition is chicken meat and fat, rice, fish, eggs. In addition, the food contains a whole complex of vitamins and calcium.

Scottish is a breed that attracts with its beauty and dignity. However, for all this, just a good pedigree is not enough - care is also of no small importance. But there is nothing complicated about the issue of proper feeding if you figure it out in advance and don’t improvise on the fly.

What to feed a Scottish Fold cat? Unfortunately, not all owners of these cats think about this, believing that such an unpretentious animal can be fed whatever is necessary. And such confidence ends sadly - with health problems and visits to the veterinarian.

Scottish Folds are famous for their good health, but maintaining it requires proper, balanced nutrition tailored specifically for this breed.

How should you feed your Scottish Fold cat?

There are three main feeding methods:

Natural food.
Natural raw food. They consist of pieces of natural raw meat, as well as vegetables, offal, egg yolks, omega-3, taurine and vitamins and are healthy food for an active and long life of cats. These feeds are not heat-treated and are stored and supplied frozen. This type of feed is represented on the Russian market by the company.
Dry or canned food.

You should not mix natural food and ready-made food: the stomach of these cats has difficulty adapting to a constant change of food. Choose one option and stick to it, changing your diet or manufacturer as little as possible.

The breed is quite unpretentious in feeding; it does not require pickles.

The debate about what food is best to feed a Scottish fold cat has been going on for decades, but veterinarians have not been able to come to a consensus. Many experts advise choosing exclusively ready-made food for purebred cats, since they include all the substances necessary for the animal. And a balanced branded food, of course, will contain much more of the substances the cat needs than scraps from the owners’ table. Indeed, there are many arguments in favor of bagged food:

Their use does not require additional feeding with vitamins.
A jar of canned food or a bag of food can reduce the time it takes to prepare food for your pet several times.
Reduces to zero the risk that the animal, due to the inattention or negligence of the owner, will receive something tasty, but harmful.

You can buy ready-made food for your cat at the best price in the following online stores:

Despite all the advantages of ready-made food, natural products effectively supply the cat with the necessary microelements and vitamins. After all, genetically any cat is a predator, and its digestive system is ideally suited for processing natural food - primarily meat.

You should not feed your Scottish Fold cat human food (prepared for people). Some of the foods that are perfectly digestible by us can be harmful to the health of the animal. And, more importantly, animals need a completely different combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates than humans to live a healthy life.

If you decide to feed your pet natural products, then make sure that the diet is composed taking into account the physiology of the animal, and is not formed from food that is left after your hearty lunch or dinner.

Feeding with natural food

It is better to consult an experienced veterinarian about how to properly feed your Scottish Fold cat. The health of animals largely depends on the amount of nutrients they receive through food.

At least half of all food should be meat.
Vegetables are a must - an average of 20 - 25%.
And a third of the entire diet should be filled with cereals.

For a full life, a Scottish fold cat should receive per 1 kg of weight per day:

4 grams of protein.
2 grams of fat.
12 – 15 grams of carbohydrates.

It is also better to calculate the volume of a single serving depending on the weight of the animal. This breed is prone to obesity, so owners will have to ensure that their pet does not overeat. That is, a cat weighing 5 kg should eat about 100 grams of food in one sitting, no more. And the daily portion for him will be about 200 - 250 grams.

What foods can be given to Scots?

The food you can feed your Scottish Fold cat should not contain added salt or any spices. Any seasonings are contraindicated for cats.

One of the most important components of the diet is meat. The main requirement for it: not too high fat content. Ideal for this breed are chicken, turkey, beef and veal. But under no circumstances should you give pork and lamb.
Twice a month you can pamper your pet with boiled (but not raw or fried) fish. More often it is not worth it: this product creates excessive stress on the cat’s liver. Please note that only sea fish, and exclusively low-fat varieties, are suitable for feeding the Scottish Fold.

Important! Before feeding your Scottish Fold fish, make sure that there are no bones, even small ones, in its flesh: otherwise the cat may choke or scratch the delicate tissues of the mouth with the sharp end.

Porridge is vital for cats: rice, buckwheat or barley. It is best to mix cereals with meat and vegetables: add 1 share of other products to 2 shares of porridge.
These cats digest oatmeal quite poorly, and it is better to give it only during stomach upsets: at these moments it really brings benefits and helps speed up recovery. Please also note that rice in large quantities can cause constipation.
Under no circumstances should you feed cereals high in protein: peas, beans, lentils. Many cats love these foods, but the consequences are bloating and painful colic.
All cats love dairy products. But Scottish Folds are contraindicated from pure cow's milk, as well as fermented milk products with high fat content (for example, cream). It is best to give kefir, fermented baked milk and low-fat sour cream.
But you can give any vegetables, except tomatoes, eggplants, garlic and onions.
Add a little boiled, finely chopped egg to your pet's food (no more than 1 piece per day). Quail is best, as it helps maintain immunity, but in a pinch, chicken can also be given.

Scottish Folds should not be fed cold or too hot food. All food should be slightly warmer than room temperature.

Food for pregnant and lactating cats

But what to feed a nursing Scottish Fold cat? In general, the diet for newly born lop-eared beauties does not change much. However, you should add a spoonful of bone meal to a single serving, and sprinkle your food with a few drops of fish oil once a week. Don’t forget about vitamins: animals need additional support with microelements during this period.

It is imperative to increase the share of dairy products. And, of course, the volume: for a mother cat it grows 3 or even 4 times, because she has to feed not only herself, but also her kittens. To avoid mistakes, give your pet food on demand.

However, there is an easier way to provide your Scottish Fold with adequate nutrition: temporarily switch the cat to high-quality ready-made food for pregnant and lactating cats.

Any pet needs a balanced diet enriched with all necessary minerals and vitamins. You can feed your Scottish Fold kitten both natural food and ready-made food.

Natural diet. This type is considered traditional. It has a big advantage - the animal receives natural and tasty products. But this type of feeding also has a disadvantage - it is very difficult to balance correctly. Natural food suitable for pets of all ages.

Ready-made feed. This product is completely balanced and looks like hard small crackers. Dry food varies in composition and quality; premium, super premium and holistic brands are suitable for Scots. This type of food is suitable as the main diet for both small kittens and older and older animals.

Mixed diet. With this feeding method, the cat receives both dry food and natural food.

Rules for feeding natural products

The basis of a natural diet is meat (up to 50% of the total daily value). Suitable for Scottish Fold kittens: veal, turkey, rabbit, chicken. Also, once or twice a week the baby is given fish (pink salmon, salmon, chum salmon and other marine species). Meat or fish are pre-frozen, and before feeding they are scalded with boiling water or lightly boiled.

INTERESTING! From time to time, meat can be replaced with offal. For the Scots, kidneys, liver, and hearts are more preferable.

Scottish Fold kittens must be given cottage cheese, preferably calcined, throughout the entire growth period. You can also offer your baby kefir, fermented baked milk, and low-fat cheese. It is not recommended to give milk to adults and small Scots, as it can cause diarrhea.

The menu must include eggs: quail or chicken. They can be fed to cats either raw or boiled. Some pets enjoy scrambled eggs, but they should be prepared with a minimum amount of milk and no butter.
The kitten gets carbohydrates from cereals. The most preferred: buckwheat, brown rice, wheat. They are added to the Scots diet in the amount of 20-25% of the daily value. To ensure that your pet eats them well, you can make a mixture of minced meat or finely chopped meat and cereal.

Vegetables and fruits are also sources of carbohydrates and vitamins. They are fed to cats raw or boiled. You can puree them, grate them on a fine grater, or simply cut them into small pieces.

Among vegetables, the pet is offered carrots, green beans, zucchini, pumpkin, and cauliflower. From fruits, you can give the Scot apples, pears, some plums, peaches.

REFERENCE! If your pet refuses to eat cereals, but enjoys eating vegetables and fruits, you can only use them as sources of carbohydrates.

Ready-made dry food as a kitten's main diet

– These are ready-made balanced foods intended for the daily nutrition of cats.

Such products are divided into four classes:

Economy The cheapest food. The composition is based on cereals (wheat, corn, etc.). There is a very small percentage of animal protein in such diets, and it is obtained from various waste products from meat processing plants. Economy class feeds include Whiskas, Kitiket, Darling and other products, the cost of which does not exceed 60-80 rubles. per kilogram. Breeders recommend avoiding such foods.

Premium To prepare such diets, both meat and offal are used, but plant ingredients still make up the majority. The composition includes vitamin and mineral supplements. Such diets can be used as the main menu, but only if the animal feels great and has no health problems. Premium foods include: Happy Cat, Sheba, Brit Premium, Cat Chow, etc.

Super premium. Such products are made from high quality raw materials. They contain a large amount of animal proteins. Carbohydrates are represented by vegetables and cereals with high digestibility. Super premium food is enriched with minerals and vitamins and contains fruits, berries and other healthy additives. The most popular brands: Fitmin, Brit Care, Blitz, Savarra, etc.

Holistic. These foods are made from fresh and dried high quality meat. Manufacturers also use sea fish fillets as a source of proteins. The holistic product does not contain cheap sources of plant protein. Potatoes, vegetables, rice, peas, lentils, carrots, apples, etc. act as carbohydrates and fiber. Many holistic products include probiotics. The most popular foods are: Acana, Orijen, Farmina, Grandorf, Applaws, etc.

Read also: What to feed a 3 month old kitten

Dry diets should not be combined with natural food. If you want to pamper your pet with something tasty, it is better to offer him wet food of the same brand as dry food. If it is necessary to transfer a Scotsman from the diet of one manufacturer to another, do this gradually, over 7-10 days.

Approximate natural menu by age

The number of feedings and serving size directly depend on the baby’s age. Small kittens under 2-3 months of age eat more often. By six months, Scots are transferred to two meals a day. Let's look at a sample menu by age.

Up to a month

From birth to a month, the babies are fed by the mother with her milk. Once small Scottish Folds are 3 weeks old, they can begin to be offered their first complementary foods. To do this, use raw scraped or very finely chopped meat.

REFERENCE! At 3-4 weeks, kittens just begin to try “adult” food. They can be given rabbit, veal, turkey or chicken. You can also start complementary feeding not with meat, but with fermented milk products (cottage cheese, low-fat fermented baked milk, yogurt).

1 month

The Scottish Fold eats about 120 grams of food per day, including mother's milk. Babies are offered food up to 7 times a day.

Kittens happily eat shredded raw meat. Porridge and vegetables are contraindicated for children at this age.

2 months

They begin to separate from their mother. These babies are fed up to 6 times a day, with the daily food intake being about 180 grams. You can add some grated vegetables and bran to pieces of meat (this product has a beneficial effect on digestion).

3 months

The Scots begin to leave for new homes and are separated from their mothers. The basis of the diet of such children is still meat, but the menu already includes fermented milk products (cottage cheese, stale kefir, fermented baked milk, etc.), vegetables, and chopped fruits.

A kitten aged 3-4 months eats up to 240 grams of food per day. You can start introducing the kitten to cereals. The meat is given to the pet raw. It is cut into fairly large pieces.

From 4 to 6 months

The volume of food consumed can be increased to 300-320 grams, but this only applies to very large Scottish Folds. For a medium-sized kitten, 280-300 grams of food is enough. At this age, the pet begins to be introduced to sea fish. It is fed to the baby scalded or boiled 1-2 times a week.

Also, at 4-6 months, a Scot will begin to be given sprouted greens. At this age, the kitten is already actively eating fruits and vegetables, and happily eats meat cut into large pieces.

REFERENCE! The number of feedings at 4-6 months is reduced to 3.

From 6 months to 1 year

From 6 months, the kitten begins to be switched to a 2-meal diet. The average daily intake is 180-230 grams. This figure can be calculated using the formula: 3-5% of the animal’s body weight.

At the age of 6 months to 1 year, the lop-eared pet eats all foods: raw meat, fish, cereals, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, vegetables, fruits, herbs. You should not offer bones to the animal, as their sharp fragments can pierce the stomach.

Vitamins and mineral supplements

Vitamin supplements are necessary for kittens that eat natural food. If a Scotsman receives dry food of at least super premium class as his main diet, vitamins and supplements enriched with minerals may not be given.

Feeding any animal requires the right approach in order to ensure balanced nutrition and the supply of all necessary substances to the body. In this regard, the question arises of what to feed a Scottish kitten that you just purchased from a nursery or that was born to your Scottish cat without experience in communicating and caring for such animals. Scottish kittens have their own characteristics, both physiologically and in terms of nutrition and diet.

The first thing you need to pay attention to is whether the Scottish kitten has been completely weaned off its mother’s milk and switched to a different diet. If you have adopted a three- or four-month-old Scottish kitten, you can safely start feeding it with natural products or food, depending on what it ate in the nursery and how its nutrition was organized.

It is necessary to make it a rule that you cannot suddenly switch your baby from one type of food to another; the transition should be smooth so as not to injure the digestive system and not provoke a complete refusal of the offered food.

Nutrition Basics

If you don’t know what a Scottish kitten previously ate, then it’s worth building its nutrition system through experiments, but it should be one of three types.

Natural

The so-called natural feeding, the composition of which includes natural food prepared specifically for the animal or selected from what the owners eat. This nutrition system is the most correct and balanced if you are cooking for a kitten at home. Feeding a Scottish Fold cat at home according to this scheme will ensure that it has all the necessary nutrients and will contribute to the proper functioning of the digestive tract.

Feed

If you want to play it safe with natural foods, dry or wet food is a great choice. However, fold-eared cats, due to the peculiarities of their physiology, require special food that is designed specifically for this breed.

In this case, you should not save money and the ideal option would be to choose exactly the food and brand that the Scottish kitten was fed in the nursery.

But if it is not possible to buy such expensive food, you can stop at cheaper analogues, but in any case, food for a Scots kitten must be chosen according to its age so that it can chew it and the food is properly absorbed. The composition of food for kittens and adult cats is also different; this must be taken into account when choosing the brand and type of dry or wet food;

Mixed

The third type of nutrition is quite controversial and still causes controversy among breeders. It lies in the fact that the nutrition of a Scottish Fold kitten is based on a combination of natural food and feed.

On the one hand, this scheme is quite good, since ensures the body receives all necessary substances and natural food, and given that the food will be the most delicious for a Scottish kitten, sometimes such food will not allow you to go astray due to a change in food or improperly prepared natural food. But if the diet is structured correctly, then this option will be an ideal choice for those who cannot be at home all the time and do not have time to prepare natural products for their pet.

For lovers of factory-made food, a large number of cereals and mousses for kittens are produced, which will help become the main component of their diet, and will also teach the baby to eat various cereals, meat, and fish products.

What can a Scottish kitten eat?

Before you create a diet for a Scottish Fold, you need to decide which products must be included in it, and which are recommended as a delicacy.

If we consider the main components of nutrition, then it must include:

lean meats, such as veal and chicken, previously well frozen or cooked;
The meat must first be ground in a blender to a homogeneous consistency so that the Scottish kitten does not have to chew it or swallow it whole, since in this case it simply will not be digested;
It is not recommended to give skin and fatty parts of meat, as they can cause digestive tract upset;
Fish must be present in the diet. However, you should be very careful about its cleaning and selection, and the best choice would be sea fish, which will be included in the diet at least 1-2 times a week;
the sequence will ensure a sufficient amount of fatty acids contained in fish and calcium so that the skeleton is formed correctly and the body of the Scottish kitten is strong;
the rules for feeding Scottish kittens include such a plan as the mandatory presence of different types of cereals in the diet;
all types of cereals must be boiled before serving and mixed with meat or fish products in order to give them a more appetizing appearance and interest the Scottish kitten in taste and smell;
porridge promotes the proper functioning of the esophagus and is very nutritious, which is very important in the infancy and adolescence of a Scottish kitten, when the body is just forming and growing;
fermented milk products should be included in the menu as a delicacy; they should not be too fatty, it is better to mix them with cereals, because this way they are better absorbed;
It is not prohibited to include boiled eggs in your diet. However, protein is strictly prohibited for feeding kittens;
Quail eggs are also very healthy, they significantly improve digestion and provide the baby with a large amount of vitamins and microelements. Quail eggs go best with boiled meat;
Vegetables can also be included in your Scotsman’s feeding regimen and given either raw or cooked, depending on your pet’s preferences.

What foods should you exclude from your diet?

When building a nutrition system that is based on natural products, it is worth considering that the digestive tract of a Scottish kitten is not adapted to digest and assimilate certain types of food that are quite acceptable for an adult cat. These products are:

salty foods and foods with a lot of spices. It irritates the esophagus and can cause not only short-term stomach upset;
You should not give your Scottish kitten unfrozen or too hot food, since the not yet formed esophagus can react painfully to unusual temperatures, all food should be at room temperature;
In no case should you allow meat with bones or cartilage to get into your pet’s plate; unformed teeth will not allow them to be chewed, and getting into the esophagus can provoke unforeseen consequences;
In order to make meat not only healthy, but also safe, you cannot give it raw; you must freeze it or boil it very well. However, it is better to feed Scottish Fold kittens with boiled meat;
Due to the fact that pork is quite fatty, it is generally prohibited from being added to the diet of a Scottish kitten at any age. An excellent alternative would be veal, turkey or chicken;
the regime must be clearly structured. You can feed Scottish Fold kittens with separate meals;
however, it is not recommended to feed from a common table, since in this case not only the feeding schedule may go wrong, but also food that will not be digested may end up in your baby’s bowl.

By following these basic rules, you can ensure proper feeding for your little pet, ensuring the growth and formation of a healthy body. Another very important rule is to add treats and vitamins to the main diet, which should be chosen only after consultation with a veterinarian.

How often should you feed?

Those who bring home a Scottish kitten for the first time think that food should always be present in its bowl. However, this position is incorrect and leads to obesity in cats. The portion should be calculated based on the age and weight of your baby; you need to feed a cat from 2 to 6 months no more than 3 times a day, and after 6 months you can give food twice a day and this will be enough for good nutrition.

In addition to food, there should always be clean, pre-boiled water in the next bowl, regardless of whether you feed your Scottish kitten natural food or food

Dry and wet food in the diet

If, when purchasing a kitten, the breeders notified you that they fed it dry or wet food and you decide to adhere to this nutrition system, then you should consider several basic rules that apply to this diet:

You should not buy cheap food, it may contain artificial colors and harmful preservatives that will not bring any benefit to your pet, and the money saved will have to be given to the veterinarian;
the presence of a small amount of carbohydrates in the food is the key to a balanced diet;
food for a Scottish pet must be balanced; careful oral care is required if you feed a Scottish kitten with dry food;
When creating your own menu, you should take into account the total and daily calorie content, and avoid a monotonous, same-type diet;
the presence of vitamins and microelements in natural food may not always fully satisfy your British kitten’s needs for essential nutrients;
After consultation with a veterinarian, it is recommended to include special supplements in the diet once a week.

If we talk about the amount of carbohydrates and proteins, it is recommended to calculate them from the dosage for an adult cat, for example, he needs up to 150 grams of protein and 50 grams of carbohydrates per day.

Features of the British digestion

Before deciding what to feed your Scottish Fold kitten, you need to take into account that up to 6 months their jaw develops and their teeth change. It is during this period that it is necessary to pay special attention to oral hygiene., providing food soft enough for comfortable chewing. You can be sure that the nutrition plan is built correctly if the following signs are not present:

bad breath;
saliva is released in the required quantity;
teeth without yellow plaque and stones;
gums are even pink;
The kitten swallows food easily.

In addition, the number of meals is of great importance, since this breed is prone to gaining excess weight and obesity, so owners of this breed should pay special attention to the frequency and amount of food for their pet.

Nuances

Also, there is such a feature of British cats as a tendency to constipation. This should be taken into account by those owners of small kittens who have not encountered this breed before. They should take into account that for a healthy animal, stool is normal if it is excreted once a day.

Therefore, if your cat looks lethargic and does not show interest even in its favorite food, you should definitely contact a veterinarian who will examine the condition of its digestive tract and adjust feeding in such a way as to eliminate such unpleasant consequences as constipation or upset.

Features of choosing dry food

For those who prefer to feed their pet dry food, it is recommended to choose not only food from expensive brands and above average prices, but also specially designed for British fold cats. Since they need special microelements due to the structural features of the skeleton and cartilage tissue.

For kittens, they choose specialized food that is finer in structure, softer and easier to digest, while containing a large amount of microelements and nutrients for active growth and formation of an adult body.

The Scottish Fold kitten (also called the Scottish Fold) can become the favorite of every family, bringing comfort to the home. If you want to bring a little pet into your home, you need to think about what to feed your Scottish Fold kitten so that over time it turns into a healthy and happy cat. You need to decide on the diet right away, because then it will be difficult to wean your pet off the food and switch it to natural food.

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Nutritional features of kittens
Fold-eared and straight-eared kittens should not be taken away from their mother earlier than 1.5-2 months from birth. If you wean your baby off from mother's milk earlier, this may negatively affect his future health. Since kittens are still developing, they should be fed small portions 6-10 times a day.
Kittens can drink boiled milk, but after the 5th month it is better to exclude it from the diet. After six months, the baby can be switched to three meals a day, and after 8 months it will be enough to feed him twice a day.
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Types of food for Scottish Fold kittens
There are two types of kitten feeding: measured and continuous.
In the first case, the kitten eats small portions throughout the day, when the owners feed it. This is the best way to ensure that your baby gets enough food without overeating. The disadvantage of this method is that it is necessary to give the kitten food a large number of times throughout the day, adhering to a schedule. This may cause problems if the owners are at work during the day.
With continuous feeding, the kitten's bowl is always full. It is necessary to add food in small portions as the bowl is emptied. It is necessary to periodically refresh the food if it has remained untouched for a long time. The pet will be able to eat when it gets hungry. The main disadvantage of this method is possible overeating. The baby is not yet able to control the amount of food he needs and may overeat. This is fraught with vomiting if the kitten’s body cannot cope with so much food. Also, in the future, uneven nutrition can easily lead to obesity, so this method is not recommended for use on an ongoing basis.
Next to the food, a fold-eared kitten should always have another bowl filled with clean water. Access to water should be constant, and it should be changed twice a day, even if the baby has not touched it.
Plastic or metal bowls are suitable for kittens' food and water. It is important to select it in a specialized store so as not to purchase a fake. Poor quality bowls may contain harmful substances that will later end up in your baby’s food.
What foods should I feed my Scottish Fold or Straight-eared kitten?
Eating natural may seem like a great solution. But it is important to remember that many products are not suitable for a small body. This means that you will need to choose a special diet for the baby, which differs from what the owners are used to eating.
The baby's main food should be meat or meat products, as they contain protein, which is necessary for the normal development of the small organism.
List of approved products
There are basic foods that you can feed your baby without harming his health. It is important to consider the amount of food and not to overfeed the animal:
- raw beef (up to 30 g per day);
- boiled chicken breast (unsalted);
- boiled hake, perch or carp (but not more than once a week);
- low-fat cottage cheese or kefir, sour cream (several times a week);
- boiled liver (once a week);
- boiled milk;
- a small amount of cereals and vegetables;
- boiled or steamed vegetables - cauliflower, carrots, green beans - which are pureed and mixed with meat.
This is useful! It is forbidden mix fermented milk products with porridge, vegetables or meat products. In addition to fermented milk products, eggs or bran are allowed.

Prohibited foods for the Scots diet
When feeding at home, it is important not only to maintain a balanced diet, but also not to follow the wishes of the kittens. Despite the animal’s interest in many products, there are those that are strictly prohibited:
- foods with significant fat content;
- pork;
- any smoked, salted, peppered and dried food;
- sweets;
- flour.
Vitamins, microelements and supplements to basic nutrition
Not all beneficial substances are absorbed by kittens with food. In addition to basic products, babies need those elements that their body does not fully absorb with regular food. Kittens under 6 months of age require vitamins D and A.. In order for a pet to grow up healthy, it is vital for him to receive all the vitamins and microelements.
Veterinary pharmacies offer a wide range of multivitamin preparations, which contain a balanced complex of useful elements specifically for kittens, necessary from 1 month of their life.
Ready-made feed options
When a small creature appears in the house and needs fairly long-term care, the British owner will come to the rescue with ready-made food. They are perfect for kids when there is no time to provide their complex nutrition at home. The main thing is to select high-quality food taking into account the age of your little friend.
There are two types of ready-made food - dry or canned.
Dry food is stored for a long time, so it retains its properties in a bowl, and it will be fresh enough to feed the baby for one or two days. Canned food has a certain shelf life - up to a day in the refrigerator after opening, and every 2-3 hours they should be replaced in the bowl. Both types of food will be well accepted by your pet, so your choice should be based on personal preference. The main thing is not to mix these foods during the same pet meal.
What should the finished feed be like?
In order for the baby to feel good, it is important to select food depending on the needs of his body. You should not purchase cheap products, as they can cause harm. You shouldn’t blindly trust expensive brands, as counterfeits are quite common on the feed market.
It is better to buy food for your baby in specialized stores, where the risk of purchasing a fake is minimal. In addition to food, you can purchase special grass for cats, which they can enjoy with pleasure.
If there is a need to switch your pet from homemade food to ready-made food, this should be done gradually. To begin with, you should buy new food in small portions and check whether the kitten has any allergic reactions to it.
What to feed a Scottish Fold kitten with a mixed diet?
The third, less common type of nutrition is mixing feed with natural products. In this case, it is extremely important that the basis of nutrition is dry food. You need to give natural products, but no more than 2 times a day.
Natural products become an addition to ready-made food, but there are certain rules for selecting such food:
- The kitten should not be given large pieces or with bones;
- It is better to give boiled unsalted meat. Any boiled meat must be frozen before cooking;
- salty food should not be given in any form;
- Pork or lamb is contraindicated for babies;
- raw meat is prohibited, as it can cause indigestion or the appearance of worms.
Important! What the owners usually have on their table should not be given to the kitten, as this is fraught with negative consequences.