If the pet owner has decided to sterilize / castrate him, he should be aware of the dietary features of his pet after surgery. The topic of this article is food for sterilized cats. Reviews will help to make the top best manufacturers (according to veterinarians).
Features of the nutrition of such animals
Castration / sterilization leads to a change in the physiology and lifestyle of the pet. The fading of interest in the opposite sex occurs against the background of hormonal disruption, which makes the animal calmer. Territory marks for cats cease, screams and throwings of both sexes in the mating season. Having become less mobile and lazy, the animal does not lose interest in food. On the contrary, the appetite is playing out so rapidly that without control, obesity can soon be observed. And this is the risk of diabetes and urolithiasis. What should be different food for sterilized cats? Testimonials from veterinarians indicate that the following principles must be followed:
- Diet reduction. It is recommended to leave the meal schedule the same - twice a day, but reduce the serving size. In one go, a cat needs only 30 g of dry food or 50 g of wet food.
- The animal should always have a bowl of clean water next to the food. If it eats dry food, then the fluid intake should be 2; 2.5 times the amount of food eaten.
- Phosphorus and magnesium in the diet should be a minimum amount, so that stones do not form in the bladder.
- Trace elements, on the contrary, are necessary to maintain the activity of the animal.
- Food should be low in calories while maintaining significant physical exertion.
How to choose food
If the owner prefers industrial food for sterilized cats, reviews will help make the right choice. What do the professionals say?
You will have to spend a little more on castrato food than uncasterated animals. Only the following classes should be chosen - holistic, premium and super premium. It is better to choose one manufacturer to observe the reaction of the pet. If he has a healthy, well-groomed appearance, maintains the necessary activity, then feed should not be changed. Having decided to use dry food, it should be remembered that it will not be possible to transfer the pet to natural in the future.
When choosing a manufacturer, you should pay attention to two points:
- A balanced diet will appear only in a special line for sterilized animals. The packaging must be marked Sterilised.
- The manufacturer must be known in the market and have its own research institute for research.
So, which manufacturers should be worthy of attention in the opinion of professionals? We will not dwell on the holistic class, because feed prices are so high that they are used by a limited circle of customers. Consider those companies that produce premium and super premium products.
Brit food for sterilized cats
The reviews allow us to include the Czech manufacturer in the top of the best. VAFO Praha produces wet and dry food in two lines: Care (super premium) and Premium. First, let's evaluate Brit Care, which is created on the basis of freeze-dried chicken, as well as venison, duck, lamb and salmon. The line costs a little more, but the consistency of the feed is closer to natural meat, does not contain dyes, flavorings and preservatives. The composition includes fish and chicken fat, vitamins, fiber, oligosaccharides, trace elements and rice bran. Professionals note the hypoallergenicity of the product, for which it must be included in the top best. Available supplements improve the pet’s health, increase immunity and make the coat smooth and strong teeth. However, brewer's yeast and ash used by the manufacturer are not well absorbed by all animals, which should be noted.
Professional reviews of Brit Care Sterilized
How are good results achieved that animal owners often write about: tartar prevention, shiny coat, animal activity?
Experts recommend Brit food for sterilized cats. Reviews of veterinarians note the correct combination of fats (12%), proteins (36%) and natural fiber (5%) in it. This ratio prevents obesity. To maintain the required urine pH in the diet of castrated animals, the percentage of magnesium is reduced. So that the kidneys and urinary tract work better, the composition contains an extract of sea buckthorn.
Brit Premium
Brit Care Sterilized dry food is considered by the company as preventive, reducing the risk of urinary tract disease. This fact makes the price of products slightly higher compared to peers. Veterinarians advise purchasing such food on the recommendation of professionals, as there is no point in overpaying if the animal has no problems. The main indicator is the regular urination of the pet.
In the Premium line, four-legged pets are offered chicken. What is the difference between a class of superpremium dry food for sterilized cats? Reviews indicate that the price reduction is due to the ingredients. It still has no dyes, improvers, etc. But the proportion of cereals is slightly increased, and the composition of the chicken is divided into a dried product, comprising 15%, and flour from chicken meat (17%). Veterinarians claim that the protein in this ingredient is presented, so the feed can be considered a complete diet. However, this is seen as some craftiness of the manufacturer, trying to reduce the cost of the product.
Perfect Fit Sterile: General Description
In our top is a company that produces the famous "Whiskas". But today we will talk about the Perfect Fit food for sterilized cats. Reviews are often positive in nature, highlighting the availability of Mars products. Production is located both in Germany and in Russia. Wet and dry feeds are produced, which will be discussed. Before we look at what users and veterinarians say, let's pay attention to the composition. Unlike Brit products, meat is completely replaced with chicken flour (20%). In order for the proteins to be presented in full, soy concentrate is used. Also in the composition there is flour of animal origin, not deciphered by the manufacturer. Users note that pets using this food are active, but not everyone is happy to use the proposed dish.
Professional opinion on Perfect Fit Sterile
The product mix is also criticized by the professional community. However, experts note that the diet is balanced and will not harm a healthy pet. It is designed to support healthy digestion, vitality and optimal weight. This food for sterilized cats, the opinions of veterinarians about which are rather controversial, is suitable for those whose income does not allow the use of more expensive products. It is imperative to take into account recommendations on feeding rates. They are designed for cat weight and range from 35 to 50 g. The norm can be increased for animals over 5 kg.
Purina Review
The British company can be called the world leader in the production of food for pets. Dating back to 1829, the company subsequently annexed the partner companies Friskies and Spillers. Today she produces 9 brands of cat-only food. Among them: Felix, Friskies, Gourmet, Darling, Felix Snacks, Cat Chow, ONE, ProPlan, ProPlan Veterinary Diets. Purin food for sterilized cats has extremely positive reviews. A whole team of professionals is working on creating nutritious and tasty food. In the diet, raw materials of only animal origin are used as a source of protein. Additives are used both natural and artificial, but without fail - permitted by EU law. The feed also contains fats and cereals rich in vitamins and dietary fiber. One of the most popular is the line, which we dwell on in more detail.
ProPlan: General Description
Nestle has developed a specific ratio of ingredients that is ideal for kidney health. This is the unique Optirenal mix that Proplan contains for sterilized cats. Reviews indicate that the brand is one of the most sought after. This allows you to include it in the proposed top. Consumers value the price-quality ratio, which makes it possible for the average animal owner to purchase this particular brand. In addition, there are three types of taste for cats: rabbit, turkey and salmon. The particular preferences of a castrated / sterilized animal can be satisfied. A special formula helps reduce the risk of urolithiasis, which is very important. The food has a special coating of granules that helps prevent the formation of tartar. Maintains the desired pH of urine. Its feature is a high protein content with a decrease in the amount of fat, which allows animals not to recover excessively.
Expert opinion on ProPlan feed
The last point is highly controversial. 41% protein and only 12% fat cause some discussion. Some experts suggest that this ratio is detrimental to the health of the kidneys, while others claim that it causes orthopedic problems.
But ongoing studies have not noted any relationship between the level of protein in food and the above diseases. In contrast, a high percentage of protein is a good food for sterilized cats. Reviews of professionals say about increasing the activity of the animal, strengthening the immune system, better healing of wounds, improving the state of the nervous system, coat and skin.
Excess protein is deaminated (decomposed), and not deposited in the body. Therefore, we should not be talking about the amount of protein. It is necessary to pay attention to the quality of consumed protein. The brand guarantees that 20% is a natural product, and the remaining percent is dried meat. Crude ash is 7%, fiber is 4.5%, fatty acids are well represented (Omega-3 - 0.75%, Omega-6 - 2%).
Royal Canin: general description
One of the leaders in the market, the company was founded in 1967 (France). Today it is a multinational company, whose production is located in 9 countries, including Russia. The company is famous for its developments for special and weakened animals: with long hair, elderly, hyperactive, etc. Sterilized animals are also special, so the company is today represented in the top. In addition, the company provides training for veterinarians who are well versed in Royal Canin feed.
The line clearly separates the food for sterilized cats. Reviews of veterinarians pay attention: you need to track the age of the pet on the packaging. The composition of the product varies for animals up to 7 years of age and older than 10. Three icons should be noted, indicating the characteristics of the feed. The company guarantees: optimal weight (due to the high level of protein), dilution of urine (due to a decrease in the amount of minerals), S / O Index, that is, the creation of an environment that is unfavorable for the formation of oxalates and struvite crystals.
Veterinarian reviews
The Royal Canin line is distinguished by the fact that the assortment contains not only dry food for sterilized cats, the reviews of veterinarians about which are presented in the article, but also wet. This is very convenient for neutered / sterilized animals that ate natural food before surgery and then switched to a balanced industrial diet. Veterinarians recommend this brand to pets with special needs.
There are special foods for aging overweight castrates, as well as skin problems. Like Proplan, Royal Canin has an average of 41% protein, but more fats are present - 14%. But, for example, for aging cats, proteins are reduced to 28%, but this is a high-quality product. For such animals, digestibility is more important. Vitamins are presented that help strengthen skeleton bones, antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress, etc. Professionals note the need to take into account the norms indicated on the package. For scientists carry out a strict calculation of the calories needed for a pet.
General results
Introduced brands producing food for sterilized cats. Reviews of veterinarians allow you to classify them as premium and super premium. This ensures a balanced diet for pets undergoing major surgery. The owners can choose a more suitable company without harm to their health. But for those who contain rare and expensive breeds of animals whose hair and skin require special care, attention should be paid to the class of holistic.