The better to feed a Scottish kitten. Scottish fold food

I hasten to reassure all owners - feeding the forked Scots is not much different from feeding cats of other breeds. And no diet, no food affects the shape of the ears. A fold remains a fold, and a straight (straight-eared Scot) remains a straight. True, with age, the shape of the ears may change slightly - they will become less pressed. But genetics play a role here, not nutrition.

Dry food for Scottish Fold kittens

The easiest way to feed a little Scot for those who cannot or do not want to devote much time to this issue is feeding dry food.

It is usually believed that it is enough to feed adult cats 2 times a day, but a kitten, depending on the age, first needs 6 meals a day, then they gradually switch to 4-5 meals a day, and only at 8-10 months a little Scot is ready to switch to an adult mode. However, fractional nutrition is more natural even for an adult cat. If the cat has food, then she will walk and apply to the bowl not even 6 times. And much more often. Eating very little.

Why then speak about 2-single feeding? Everything is simple. The food left in the bowl winds up after 3-4 hours, acquires an unpleasant smell - the cat will not eat this. Yes, and dangerous - you can easily get poisoned. But dry food can be poured without risk at once a daily portion. And let the kitten eat as many times as he needs, regardless of whether the owners are at home or at work.

Dry food is economical, even the most expensive. Don't believe? Of course, if you feed a cat with scraps from the table, then its maintenance will cost nothing .... Only now such food will not add to your pet's health and longevity. The basis of the nutrition of the lop-eared Scot should be about 60-80% of the diet meat. Some cereals, vegetables, vitamin and mineral supplements are added to the meat. Now calculate how much it will cost to buy high-quality meat ... And you also need to cook it. And if the kitten does not eat a portion, it will have to be ... thrown away, because you cannot store freshly prepared food.

That is why, when buying a Scottish Fold kitten for the first time, it is best to immediately focus on dry food, and choose the brand recommended by the breeder. Usually this is the food that the mother cat and the entire litter feed on. In this way, a perfect match to the needs of the baby and the absence of unwanted reactions is guaranteed.

After 3-4 weeks, the food can be changed if for some reason you want to. The most common reason for changing diets is the unavailability of certain brands of food, which can only be bought in large pet stores or must be specially ordered, and delivery can be more expensive than the food itself.

Rules for the selection of industrial food for Scottish Fold kittens

There are no specialized foods designed specifically for lop-eared Scottish cats or even just Scots. This means that there are no special differences in the diet of Scottish Folds from other shorthair cats. Therefore, you can choose universal food, food for shorthair breeds and special veterinary food if the kitten needs dietary nutrition.

Choose only super-premium and holistic foods. It is these categories of ready-made feeds, despite the higher cost, that guarantee that the manufacturer used quality products, natural meat and only healthy additives.

In addition, expensive feeds are more high-calorie, which means that they are required less - so the difference in cost is not so big in the end (you can see an example of the calculation).

ANOTHER NUANCE.

Pay attention to the age for which dry or canned food is intended. Usually, holistic foods can be given to 2-month-old kittens, while super-premium foods have a special line by age.

If you decide to change the kitten's food, do not immediately buy a large package. Even the highest quality food can cause an individual reaction or simply not to the kitten's taste.

How do you know if a food is right?

• The kitten looks healthy - it has a smooth shiny coat, white teeth, a clean pink mouth.
• Kitten cheerful, cheerful, playful.
• There are no digestive disorders - there is no bad breath, the contents of the tray did not smell sharply, there is no liquid stool and constipation.

It happens that when changing food, the kitten begins to itch, a rash appears, the coat becomes sparse, redness is noticeable on the skin. This is especially pronounced on the ears - they can acquire an uncharacteristic pink color, scratching appears. These are signs of an allergic reaction. You will have to immediately abandon the new food, returning to the old, proven one. You can try another brand only after all allergy symptoms disappear. Most often, cats have an allergic reaction to chicken and grains. So, try grain-free beef, turkey based foods.

When feeding Scottish Fold kittens with dry food, it is not recommended to combine it with natural food. Make a choice - either drying or straight, but not both in turn.

This rule is connected with the fact that the digestion of dry food requires a different composition of enzymes compared to natural food. In many ways, this also applies to canned food, which is also highly concentrated. If you alternate between meat porridge and ready-made industrial food, the kitten's digestion does not have time to rebuild - as a result, the food is poorly digested, nutrients are not fully absorbed, and fermentation occurs in the intestines.

ATTENTION.

The kitten should always have free access to fresh drinking water. This is especially important when feeding "drying".

Water is given to a cat bottled or filtered, but not boiled and not from the tap.

Folded kitten menu by months with natural feeding

The first complementary foods are given at about 3-4 weeks. If there are few kittens in the litter and they look full and well-fed, the introduction of complementary foods can be postponed for a week and a half. But at the age of one and a half months, even if the kittens have enough milk, they should already begin to get used to other foods.

You should not grind the meat in a blender, turning it into a pate - kittens must learn to chew.

Do not give the kitten children's meat purees - they are completely unsuitable for kittens in composition.

Gradually, the amount of meat is brought to 50-100 g per day, dividing it into 6-7 servings.

Feeding a 2-month-old Scottish Fold

At 2 months, a lop-eared Scot can already receive 100-150 g of complementary foods per day. After the meat, cereals are introduced - rice, buckwheat are best (semolina, oatmeal are acceptable). They give a boiled egg yolk, starting literally with a grain. The yolk is mixed with cereals or meat, since many kittens simply refuse to even try dry yolk.

The basis of nutrition is meat. Part of the meat once a week can be replaced with low-fat sea (ocean) fish. Cereals can be crushed and mixed with meat cut into small pieces.

New products are introduced no more than once a week in order to see the reaction of the body and immediately determine which product “did not work”. This product is excluded from the diet for at least a month. Then you can carefully try again. If an allergic reaction or digestive problems occur again, the product is excluded forever.

It is permissible to cook food for several days at once. Then the cooked porridge from cereals and meat is divided into single portions and stored in the freezer. Before feeding, the portion is thawed and heated to a temperature warmer than room temperature. Optimally - to body temperature.

If the kitten has not eaten a portion, it can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. After that, you will have to throw it away and give fresh for the next feeding.

Fresh food should not be in a bowl. It is optimal to teach a kitten from a very young age - the uneaten is immediately removed. And the bowl reappears only at the next feeding. This regime disciplines the kittens and ensures that the food is eaten quickly and without whims. And the lack of appetite will signal any trouble.

Nutrition for Scottish Fold kittens from 3 to 6 months

During this period, the number of feedings is gradually reduced to 4, and the total amount of food is adjusted to 150-220 g, depending on the kitten's appetite and weight. Of these, at least 3-40 g of natural meat or fish (it is better if there is about 100-150 g of meat).

Vegetables are a novelty of this period. Little Scots add carrots, pumpkin, broccoli to porridge. Sprouted and ground grains of wheat or oats are very useful.

Kittens of dark colors can gradually replace part of the meat with offal - liver, stomachs, hearts. Light kittens from offal may darken. And carrots with pumpkin are not recommended for white Scots, their number should be sharply limited, since the coat can become yellowish.

If there is no allergy, you can give kittens chicken meat instead of beef, just buy domestic chickens or products from trusted manufacturers. Allergy is often caused not by chicken itself, but by the hormones and protein additives contained in it, which stimulate the rapid growth of broilers. Human stomachs have adapted, but a small kitten can get severely poisoned.

Fermented milk products are also introduced - cottage cheese, kefir. But whole milk is not given, because after 4 months the enzyme that breaks it down ceases to be produced in kittens.

Feeding Scottish Folds over 6 months old

The diet during this period practically does not change. A 6 month old kitten eats the same as an adult cat. At the age of 6 to 10 months, increase a single portion and reduce the number of feedings, first to 3, then to 2 times a day.

The daily diet by the age of 10 months should be about 150-250 g. However, this rate is very approximate and largely depends on the individual characteristics of the kitten.

The owners of the lop-eared Scotsman usually know very well how much their pet will eat. You should not limit the kitten, even if he eats more than the norm, after all, many kittens are very active and spend a lot of energy on games and pranks.

Only castrati should be restricted if they begin to gain excess weight. In addition, neutered cats (and sterilized cats) should not be given fish at all, since excess calcium can give rise to the development of urolithiasis.

Scottish fold kitten will be a great friend for the whole family. With proper feeding, he will grow into a healthy and beautiful cat, which will certainly please the owners. It is important to know the basics of nutrition so that there are no health problems. Some people prefer to give only natural food, others buy ready-made food. In any case, you should understand the diet of the Scottish Fold cat, so as not to impair the functioning of the digestive system.

What is the best food for a Scottish Fold kitten?

When buying a pet, it is recommended to immediately consult with the breeder about how his animals eat. It is especially important for small pets to choose the right diet, because they need high-quality nutrition. Kittens develop quickly, and they need to give food in small portions up to 10 times a day. Up to 5 months it is allowed to pour boiled milk, but then it must be excluded from the menu. At the age of 6 months, three meals a day are required, and this will be more than enough for a pet. Naturally, you can only give permitted products so that the body functions fully.

What to feed a Scottish adult cat

Adult cats do not need to eat as often as kittens. It is enough to feed 2 times a day, while the portions must be such that the pet is full. Naturally, you will need to monitor the weight, because especially sterilized cats are prone to obesity. The owner may prefer both natural food and prepared food, but the food must be of good quality.

What is forbidden to feed

Owners of lop-eared kittens need to know exactly what should not be given to a pet in any case. If you neglect these rules, then the animal may have problems with the digestive system. To feed Scottish kittens, you need to make a menu that does not harm the pet's body.

List of prohibited products:

1. Sweet dishes. They can not be given regardless of the quantity. Even if a cat asks for a cake, this does not mean at all that he is interested in this dish. It is possible that he wants another ingredient that is in the composition. You do not need to give your pet sweets, because of this, diabetes develops.
2. Spicy. Spices should not be given to kittens as they will upset their digestive function.
3. Salty. Food for cats should not be salted, and even more so give dishes with this component in the composition. Salt causes problems with the bladder and kidneys, and Scottish kittens are already prone to this problem.
4. Coffee. This product is considered a pet poison. If a pet wants to try a drink, then it is quite possible that he is interested in milk.
5. Onion and garlic. They also lead to problems with the digestive function of the pet.
6. Marinades. The pet should not be given any pickled foods. And we are talking not only about meat, but also about canned food.
7. Bold. Such a diet will worsen the function of the pancreas in a pet. At the same time, even sour cream can spoil the gastrointestinal tract of a Scottish kitten, which is why it is important to monitor the fat content of foods.
8. Smoked. It is considered poisonous to cats, so it should not be given to Scottish Fold.
9. Pork. If the owner wants to treat her pet, then it is allowed to give only a small piece of meat once a month. And the product should not be greasy.
10. Citrus. Most cats dislike the smell of lemons, oranges, limes, and similar fruits. However, exceptions do happen. A strong aroma will harm the animal's sense of smell, moreover, such a product will upset the digestive function.
11. Potato. It is starch in its pure form, which is poorly accepted by the cat's body. For this reason, this product should be excluded from the diet.
12. Bean cultures. Soy, lentils, peas are prohibited for a Scottish kitten. These products are considered heavy for the pet's body, and also provoke fermentation.
13. Flour dishes. Even bread is not allowed to be given to kittens, because it only harms, and at the same time does not carry nutritional value.
14. Mushrooms. They are considered a heavy product and provoke intoxication.

Conscientious owners will make sure that there are no problems with the body due to feeding Scottish kittens. If a person is not sure that he can properly balance the diet, then it is better to use ready-made feeds. Naturally, you need to purchase only super-premium products for Scottish Fold kittens.

Determining the Type of Cat Food

Animal nutrition can be of different types. In particular, it is natural, ready-made and mixed. In the first case, a person uses only fresh products, such as meat, cereals, vegetables and other dishes. Ready meals are divided into two types: dry and jelly-like. Regardless of the type, it is necessary to purchase only expensive products from good manufacturers, and not be limited to cheap bags of cat food. If a person is not ready to pay a lot of money for such products, then natural food should be preferred.

A mixed look implies the presence of both fresh products and ready-made ones. Naturally, both types should not be given in the same feeding. You will need to evenly distribute the varieties of food in order not to harm the pet's body.

Breeders and veterinarians have different opinions about how exactly to feed a month old kitten and older animals. If the owner is not ready to carefully select the menu for the pet, then it is better to purchase ready-made food. They have the right ingredients and the right balance of products for the animal. At the same time, you need to buy expensive goods, since there is nothing useful for a pet in cheap ones.

Separately, it is recommended to pay attention to the characteristics of the pet's body. Some cats have upset digestion due to cereals or meat, so it is better to give them dry food or cat pate. If the animal feels good when eating natural food, then it should be stopped. In any case, each situation should be dealt with individually, so that there are no problems later.

natural nutrition

Now more and more people decide to switch to natural nutrition, because they consider it more useful and at the same time cheaper. The process will not be easy, as you will have to spend a lot of time preparing food. Naturally, busy people cannot afford this, which is why the pet suffers. If a natural diet was chosen, then it is imperative to follow the rules of feeding.

What products are allowed:

1. Frozen raw beef. Babies up to 3 months should be given approximately 30 grams per day. Naturally, the meat must first be completely thawed and very finely chopped.
2. Boiled liver. It is given a maximum of 1 time per week. If you abuse this product, then the stomach may be upset.
3. Boiled chicken breast. It is useful for cats, as it contains many nutrients.
4. Fish. It is allowed to give it to a Scottish cat only once a week, while only low-fat varieties are allowed. For example, hake, perch, and also carp are suitable. If you give this product in excess, then kidney pathologies may occur.
5. Boiled milk, as well as porridge on it. This product can be added to the menu for animals that are under 5 months old. At a more mature age, the component will provoke indigestion.
6. Vegetables and cereals. These carbohydrates are required so that the pet always has energy. At the same time, you can cook semolina, buckwheat, rice and oatmeal for your pet. It is useful to mix them with fish or meat, and then give them 3-4 times a week.
7. Fat-free kefir, fermented baked milk or cottage cheese. Scottish kittens love these foods and consider them a treat.
8. Boiled or steamed vegetables. Suitable carrots, cauliflower. They should be mixed with meat so that the pet agrees to eat vegetables.
9. Chicken yolk. In this case, the egg must first be boiled and the protein removed.

It is recommended to give kittens mainly meat products, because they are rich in useful trace elements, and they also contain protein. It is necessary for the full functioning of the body, in particular to maintain the function of the heart, eyes and reproductive system. If a person is not ready to feed the cat in a variety of ways and give only permitted products, then natural women should be abandoned. It is better to buy ready-made food for Scottish kittens so as not to plant the digestive system from childhood.

Industrial feed

If a person understands that he does not have time to feed his pet in a variety of ways, then it is better to purchase a ready-made product. Good for both dry and wet food. In this case, you should purchase packages designed specifically for this breed. If kittens have already been fed industrial feeds in the cattery, then it is better to use them.

It is highly not recommended to select cheap analogues, because they are worse absorbed by the body and bring less benefit. It is recommended to purchase products from Hills, Royal Canin, Advance, as well as other brands that produce super-premium goods. Naturally, it is necessary to select those products that are designed specifically for the Scottish Fold kitten. On the packages you can see exactly how much food you need to give depending on the age and weight of the animal.

How to Safely Switch Your Cat to Dry Food

If previously the pet consumed natural products, then it cannot be immediately fed with dry food. The transfer must be gradual so as not to hit the body. First you need to give a small handful of dry food between feedings. During the week, the portion should be gradually increased. After that, several natural feedings should be completely replaced with a dry product and the reaction of the body should be observed. If everything is in order with the digestive system, then you can completely transfer the pet to industrial feed.

mixed feeding

Mixed feeding causes a lot of controversy among veterinarians and breeders. Someone says that this will harm the pet's body. Others believe that the scheme is good and ensures the supply of all vitamins and elements. In any case, each person must decide for himself whether to use mixed feeding. If this option is chosen, then the right decision will be to follow the nutrition schedule.

Natural products are given no more than 2 times a day. The rest of the time the pet should be fed dry food. Of course, you should not interfere with natural women and finished products, they must be given to the animal separately.

Features of feeding in adolescence

Cats in transition also need proper nutrition. Scottish folds should eat 4 times a day at the age of 5 to 9 months. At the same time, many animals no longer want to eat so much and independently switch to a feeding schedule 2-3 times a day. In any case, the total amount of food consumed should be up to 240 grams per day.

During this period, cats have their first estrus. Because of this, they lose their appetite and lose weight. This phenomenon can be considered normal, so the owner should not force the pet to eat food.

At the age of 9 months, the cat is already considered almost an adult, although it will be formed before 2 years. Cats in this period should eat no more than 2-3 times a day, and the total amount of food reaches 200 grams. Naturally, for each pet, the portion will be individual. If the animal does not want to eat much, then you should not force it.

General principles of feeding

The nutrition of a small kitten must be balanced, so that later there are no problems with the digestive system. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the tendency of Scottish cats to constipation. If the kitten does not go to the toilet for more than 1 day, then it is better to contact the veterinarian. He must examine the pet and say if the food is right. You may need to eliminate certain foods that have led to constipation.

Calorie counting should be considered. If the pet is only 2-5 months old, then he should consume an average of 200 kcal. This will be quite enough to always have the necessary supply of energy.

You should not train your cat to snack, because this can cause weight problems. The pet should eat a strict number of times a day, and preferably at the same time. If the owner constantly treats the animal, then problems with the gastrointestinal tract may develop because of this. In addition, due to sweet, fatty and salty treats, obesity will occur, as well as problems with the kidneys and pancreas.

Natural nutrition should not be monotonous. That is, you should not allow your pet to eat only porridge and fish, or only chicken. Vegetables should be given, as well as fermented baked milk and cottage cheese. If the cat refuses any products, then it makes no sense to specially accustom them to them.

What to feed a Scottish kitten at the age of 2 months

At the age of 2 months, the kitten is ready to be weaned. This is the best period to gradually switch to a normal diet. The total amount of food will be up to 180 grams per day, and it is worth feeding 6 times a day. It is necessary to give small pieces of meat, grated vegetables and bran. You can gradually accustom to dry food, which is designed specifically for kittens.

If you follow all the recommendations about nutrition, then the animal will be healthy and active. Do not assume that the cat will be more pleasant to eat fatty, fried or salty foods. They will plant the body and at the same time cause only harm to health. If a person is not ready to independently select a diet for a pet, then you should immediately buy ready-made food and transfer the pet to them.

Scottish fold kitten (also called Scottish fold) can become a favorite of every family, bringing comfort to the house. If you have a desire to bring a small pet into the house, you need to think about how to feed a fold-eared Scottish 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 the pet from food and transfer it to natural food.

• Show all

  Nutritional features of kittens

  Lop-eared and straight-eared kittens should not be taken from their mother earlier than 1.5-2 months from birth. If the baby is weaned from mother's milk earlier, this can adversely affect his future health. Since the kittens are still developing, they should be fed in 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. Six months later, the baby can be transferred to three meals a day, and after 8 months it will be enough to feed 2 times a day.

  

  Chocolate Brit - photo, description and character

  Types of nutrition of the Scottish Fold kitten

  There are two types of kitten food: measured and continuous.

  In the first case, the kitten eats in small portions throughout the day, when the owners feed him. This is the best way in which the 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 the schedule. This can be a problem if the owners are at work during the day.

  With continuous feeding, the kitten's bowl is always full. It is necessary to pour in small portions of food, as the bowl is empty. Periodically, it is necessary to renew the feed if it has remained untouched for a long time. The pet will be able to eat when he gets hungry. The main disadvantage of this method is the possible overeating. The baby is not yet able to control the amount of food that he needs, and can overeat. This is fraught with vomiting if the kitten's body can not cope with so much food. Also, in the future, uneven nutrition can easily lead to obesity, so this method is not recommended to be used on an ongoing basis.

  A lop-eared kitten should always have another bowl filled with clean water next to the food. Access to water should be constant, and it needs to be changed twice a day, even if the baby has not touched it.

  For food and water, plastic or metal bowls are suitable for kittens. It is important to pick it up in a specialized store so as not to purchase a fake. Poor quality bowls may contain harmful substances that will later get into the baby's food.

  

  What foods to feed a Scottish fold or straight-eared kitten?

  Natural nutrition may seem like a great solution. But it is important to remember that many products are not suitable for a small organism. And 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 main food of the baby should be meat or meat products, as they contain protein, which is necessary for the normal development of a small organism.

  

  List of allowed products

  There are basic foods that you can feed your baby without harm to his health. It is important to consider the amount of food and not 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 (1 time per week);
  • boiled milk;
  • a small amount of cereals and vegetables;
  • boiled or steamed vegetables - cauliflower, carrots, green beans - which are mashed 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, it is allowed to give eggs or bran.

  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 interest of the animal in many products, there are those that are strictly prohibited:

  • foods high in fat;
  • pork;
  • any smoked, salted, peppered and dried food;
  • sweets;
  • flour.

  

  Vitamins, trace elements and supplements to the main diet

  Not all nutrients are absorbed by kittens with food. In addition to the main products, babies need those elements that their body does not fully absorb with ordinary food. Kittens under 6 months old need vitamins D and A. In order for a pet to grow up healthy, it is vital for him to receive all the vitamins and minerals.

  Veterinary pharmacies offer a wide range of multivitamin preparations, in which a balanced complex of useful elements is selected specifically for kittens, which is necessary from the age of 1 month.

  Ready Feed Options

  When a small creature appears in the house that needs a fairly long-term care, the owner of the British will come to the rescue of ready-made feed. They are perfect for kids when there is no time to implement its complex nutrition at home. The main thing is to select high-quality feed, taking into account the age of a little friend.

  Ready-made food is of two types - dry or in the form of canned food.

  Dry food is stored for a long time, so in a bowl it retains its properties, and it will be fresh enough to feed the baby for one to 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 a bowl. Both types of food will be well accepted by the pet, so the choice should be based on personal preference. The main thing is not to mix these foods during one meal of the pet.

  What should be the finished food?

  In order for the baby to feel good, it is important to select food depending on the needs of his body. You should not buy cheap products, as they can harm. Do not blindly believe expensive brands, as fakes are often found on the feed market.

  It is better to buy food for the baby in specialized stores, where the risk of acquiring a fake is minimal. In addition to food, you can purchase special grass for cats, which they can enjoy with pleasure.

  

  If it becomes necessary to transfer your pet from homemade food to ready-made food, this should be done gradually. To begin with, you should buy a new food in small portions and check if the kitten has any allergic reactions to it.

  How to feed a Scottish Fold kitten with a mixed type of nutrition?

  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. It is necessary 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 the selection of such food:

  • The kitten should not be given pieces of large size 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 the baby;
  • raw meat is prohibited, as it can cause indigestion or the appearance of worms.

  Important! What the owners usually have on the table should not be given to the kitten, as this is fraught with negative consequences.

It is famous for its friendly character and unpretentiousness in care and feeding. These qualities, along with good looks, have made the breed one of the most desirable and in demand. Of course, like any cat, the Scot, even a kitten, prefers a carnivorous diet based on meat. Everything that is laid down in childhood will affect the health of an adult cat, so we will figure out how to properly feed representatives of this breed at a young age.

How much quality food a pet consumes, ultimately depends on its well-being and appearance. It has been proven that the timely introduction of certain products into the diet launches programs for the formation of mental processes and characteristics. For example, if the first food for Scottish Fold kittens after milk was meat, then the kids learn hunting skills earlier and more efficiently, develop more dexterous and nimble.

The choice of type of feeding is the responsibility of the owner. And here you can not rely only on personal preferences and stereotypes. There is a whole science of veterinary dietetics that develops specialized diets for animals with different nutritional details. Nutritional requirements vary from animal to animal and foods are also classified accordingly:

• By age: for adult cats, for young animals, for kittens, for aging cats;
• By type of coat: for long-haired cats, for "bald" cats;
• According to the degree of activity and type of content: for active cats, for inactive cats, for homebody cats;
• According to gastronomic preferences: for picky pets, for those prone to skin problems;
• According to the life stage: for feeding animals during the breeding period, for pregnant and lactating cats;
• According to the health factor: for those prone to allergies, food for cats with sensitive digestion, with urolithiasis, with liver problems, etc.

Depending on the type of raw materials, feeding can be natural (food from the table and homemade dishes) and professional (ready-made dry and canned food). These two options can be combined to varying degrees, and then we get mixed feeding (when dry food is added directly to natural food) and combined feeding (dry food and natural products are given at different meals).
It is customary to refer proteins (proteins), fats (lipids) and carbohydrates (sugars) to the substances of the main balance. Their origin and energy value vary depending on the type of raw material. The same applies to the balance of minerals, vitamins and essential acids.

Why is natural feeding not always better?

Food for Scottish Fold cats should be balanced, if only because there is some tendency to digestive diseases in the breed. And cats living in the house almost always begin to suffer from urolithiasis and obesity with age. Feeding with such metabolic features must be selected with care and a balanced diet should be followed from early childhood.

Natural feeding would be ideal for the Scots if each owner could independently calculate the optimal balance of the diet for all nutrients and trace elements. Choosing food for such a diet is not an easy task. How, for example, to calculate how many nutrients a cat received after eating a mouse or catching a pigeon? And how different is the nutritional value and calorie content of the same pieces of sea fish and turkey? What vitamins and minerals should be added to the diet of Scottish Fold kittens so that they grow up to be excellent representatives of their breed? Home natural feeding is unlikely to be able to take into account all the nuances.

INTERESTING! Under extreme conditions, cats can go without food for a long time. They can lose up to 40% of their weight without serious health consequences.

About proteins, fats and carbohydrates

The average cat's diet should be rich in fats, which are valuable not only in themselves, but also help in the absorption of vitamins A and E. A lack of fat leads to emaciation, beriberi, and related skin, coat and digestion problems. And excess is a direct road to accumulation and obesity. However, with age, the proportion of fat should increase slightly.

The proportion of protein (or rather, proteins of various origins) in the daily diet should be at least 26%. These percentages are calculated according to the ratio of the so-called dry residue, since ordinary food contains about 70% water. The protein index is higher, the higher the "construction" costs. Most protein should be contained in food for pregnant and lactating cats and for growing kittens.

For example, in a standard factory diet for kittens, protein is at least 35%, and fat is from 12 to 24%.

And these are only proteins and fats, but there are still a lot of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and special needs. Are you still going to feed your cat natural food and do it right? To know how to feed a Scottish Fold kitten as part of a natural diet, you will have to learn how to count not only calories.

Ready factory feed

The easiest way to organize the nutrition of your beloved pet has always been feeding ready-made factory feeds. Manufacturers offer a huge selection of rations and veterinary diets for any needs of cats and kittens, taking into account the material possibilities of the owners.

The quality of products is almost always high, and the price is the sum of the cost of individual components. For example, salmon-based food is always more expensive than chicken-based dry food. Cats are picky about the taste and variety of food, so food brands offer entire menus. For kittens, three tastes are usually presented: poultry, game and fish with different combinations of additional components.

The new owner will have to change food for the growing Scot twice: when the kitten is 3-4 months old and when he becomes an adult (9-12 months). The nutritional value of feed for kittens and young animals varies, as does the vitamin and mineral balance. In any case, feeding ready-made rations has undeniable advantages:

• The cat always receives fresh food (from a bag, jar or pouch);
• The feed balance strictly corresponds to current needs;
• It is easy to control the amount eaten and comply with the feeding rate;
• No need to waste time searching for ingredients and preparing food.

When the kitten grows up, it will need to be transferred to "adult" food. You can feed a Scottish cat with ready-made food for life. It's convenient and safe. The most preferred food groups for adult Scottish cats:

• Food for cats with digestive problems;
• Food for long-haired cats or marked "from hairballs";
• Breed food for Scottish cats;
• Food for sedentary pets or marked "weight control";
• Food for sterilized cats and neutered cats (according to age).

About feeding Scottish kittens

The first feeding in this breed is recommended to be done a little later than in the breeds of the "wild" type (Abyssinian, Siamese cats). Scots are often formed with a slight delay. This is not a pathology, but only a feature of genetics. While average kittens are ready for their first food at the end of the third week of life, Scottish Fold kittens will try their first meat (or soaked food) a week later.

INTERESTING! Novice breeders should be aware that if the first complementary food is meat (for example, a scraper from a very frozen piece of selected beef), then the mental development of the kittens will be more intense.

Natural diet for a kitten

Kittens of the second month of life should still receive mother's milk along with complementary foods for some time. This is important for the formation of good behavior and health. If the breeder takes the kittens away from the nipple earlier, then later (after about six months) the first problems with friendliness and quality of digestion may arise, and it happens that such forms of behavior as sexual and territorial are violated from milk malnutrition. Here, it turns out, how important it is to feed dairy kittens to the full.

After 3 months, when the kittens are already fully prepared for self-feeding, the amount of cow's milk and its derivatives should be reduced. Often cats lap up milk with pleasure all their lives, but this is not always good for digestion, because. enzymes that break down milk protein cease to be synthesized.

In general, a kitten's natural diet should include:

• Several types of meat;
• Ocean or sea fish;
• Eggs, cottage cheese, low-fat sour cream, kefir, a small amount of milk;
• A small amount of vegetables and fruits as a source of vitamins and coarse fiber (but how to get a cat to eat fruit?);
• Vegetable and animal fats, taurine, carnitine;
• A small amount of cereals as a source of vegetable fiber;
• Ready-made vitamin and mineral complex according to needs.

It is not easy to balance all these components in the diet of a small growing kitten whose nutritional needs are constantly changing. Much easier to pay attention to the finished product. However, if the owner still wants to feed his cat food from the table, then as an alternative, veterinarians recommend using ready-made rations temporarily - at least up to 8-9 months. At this point, the period of intensive growth will end, and it will be possible to feed the kitten with the food that seems more acceptable to the owner. But still, it is better to choose ready-made feed.

Kitten feeding regimen

For healthy growth and development of kittens, not only the composition and type of food is important, but also the feeding regimen. Depending on age, you will have to change the number of feedings and their composition. Pay attention to the daily food intake at each age:

As you can see from the table, the maximum nutritional requirement is observed in kittens at 6-9 months. This is a period of intensive growth, puberty, the formation of the psyche, behavior and social contacts. The kitten at this time needs a large number of various nutritional components. Feed brands take into account these needs and offer ready-made balanced diets.

IMPORTANT: do not combine foods from different manufacturers or different lines of the same manufacturer in the diet. Their balance sheets can vary considerably. It is best to choose and dry. And wet food of one brand and one line.

Do not forget that the kitten should not be allowed to actively move immediately after eating. It is advisable to take a 15-20 minute break before games. With any type of feeding, the kitten should always have access to clean drinking water, which should not be replaced by other liquids.

Feeding Secrets for a Good Character

How healthy and beautiful your kitten will grow up depends on how you feed your kitten in early childhood. It is better for the breeder to feed the first lure from the hands, and not from the bowl. This will form an additional contact between the cat and the person and help establish a positive friendly character.

Cats respect rituals and rules, so before you feed your Scottish cat, invite her to come over here on the command "Come here" and sit across from you. Then put the bowl and allow to eat. In the future, this will save the cat from eating food that is not his own and stealing from the table - she will wait for the command to eat. You can start such exercises already with 1.5-2 month old Scottish kittens.

You should not exceed the daily feeding rate or supplement the cat with food from your own table. Despite the unpretentiousness of the Scots, their health is not always perfect. The breed has a tendency to overweight and diseases of the heart and urogenital area. Therefore, the nutrition of a Scottish cat at any age must be carefully balanced and meet the needs of the body. And feeding a kitten must be given special attention and strictly observe the regimen.

Selection of ready-made feed

In the laboratories of well-known food brands, they try to take into account the maximum of cat needs and tastes. Brands such as Royal Canin, Acana, Jams, Hills offer a wide range of feeds and a convenient online feed selection system, some take into account the breed, others are based on age and health characteristics.

For example, Hills - a brand famous for highly specialized veterinary diets and recognized by British breeders - offers its "Scientific Plan" for feeding kittens up to 1 year old.

Kitten feeding scheme:

• First complementary foods and feeding up to 2-3 months: Science Plan™ My First Diet Gentle Kitten Mousse;
• Feeding from 3 to 6 months: Science Plan™ Science Plan™ Kitten Chicken (in cans or pouches) Available flavors: chicken, tuna, turkey;
• Feeding up to 1 year: at six months, Hills suggests switching the kitten to a permanent diet for a growing body: Hill's Science Plan Kitten Healthy Development - Hills for Kitten Healthy Development, or use Hill's Natures Best Naturally Gentle Kitten diet for sensitive digestion.

Find food for your Scottish cat online on the website of one of the manufacturers. There you can also ask a question to the company's specialists and get comprehensive advice.

Royal canin, perhaps one of the few brands that develop breed diets for certain groups of breeds: www.royal-canin.ru

Josera when selecting food, it is based on the age of the cat, and then from the proposed options you can choose the right diet for your Scot: www.josera-cat.com

Another famous brand ProPlan (Purina) inspired by the characteristics of each breed, but focused on the characteristics of the health and goals of each age:

Veterinarians do not advise using the mixed version, citing the fact that in this case it is difficult to avoid an overdose of vitamin products. An imbalance of vitamins and minerals in the body causes disturbances in the functioning of the body.

The choice of food depends on the employment of the owners, their financial capabilities, and the taste preferences of the pet. It should be remembered that the diet should be varied, but at the same time balanced. Obesity is dangerous for the health of any cat.

It is best to feed the animals according to a schedule and a pre-compiled menu. Neutered cats usually face the problem of overweight, so their diet is given special attention.

Many pet owners argue about the correct choice of feed. Some insist on a natural diet, while others say that industrial feed is much healthier and tastier. It is difficult to prove someone is right in this situation.

In addition, in fresh meat and fish delicacies there may be worm larvae, which is fraught with the development of helminthiasis. To avoid infection, you will need to boil or bake a dish for cats, because fried food is harmful not only to the human body, but the cat's stomach also suffers from it.

Ready food does not take much time to feed. It is enough to pour a certain portion in order to clearly know that the pet will not starve until the evening.

What to feed at 2 months and at an older age?

After a month and a half, portions are gradually increased, but the number of feedings is reduced to 4-5 times. At the age of 4 - 5 months, feeding should be done 4 times a day, at 6 - 7 months - 3 times a day, and after 12 - 14 months, the Scottish cat is already fed twice a day.

At home, you can also use the continuous method of feeding Scottish Fold kittens: in this case, food is not removed from the bowl and the kitten can approach it whenever he wants. The food needs to be changed as often, depending on what you are feeding your lop-eared kitten.

For example, dry food may be present in the bowl all the time, while canned food and natural food are changed 4 times a day.

It is important not only to properly feed, but also to water the Scottish Fold kitten. Water should be in a separate container (metal or plastic). If you decide to purchase a plastic bowl, buy it in a specialized store so as not to get a fake: poor quality plastic may contain harmful substances.

Change the water 2 times a day and make sure that no pieces of food get into it.

Food for pregnant and lactating cats

During pregnancy, the Scottish cat should be fed in small portions. Calcium-rich foods (cottage cheese, cheese, fermented baked milk) or nutritional supplements should appear in the diet. Liver and greens best meet the needs of the expectant mother. Lactating cats begin to eat more, because it takes a lot of calories to produce milk.

When asked how to feed a cat after childbirth, veterinarians answer that the same as for kittens, then the milk will be absorbed in the best way. But in the diet of a nursing mother there should be enough protein - 30%.

But what to feed a lactating Scottish Fold cat? In general, the diet for recently born lop-eared beauties does not change much. However, it is worth adding a spoonful of bone meal to a single serving, and pouring a few drops of fish oil on food once a week. Do not forget about vitamins: during this period, animals need additional support with microelements.