What does healthy pet food look like and is it worth buying? Homemade food for animals

13.05.2019

What to feed your pet - ready-made food or homemade food, you have to choose for yourself. The main condition is not to switch abruptly from one type of feeding to another.

If you have taken the baby, be sure to feed him the food he is used to for the first few days, otherwise there will be digestive problems.
If you want to switch your animal to prepared foods, do it gradually over 10 days. It is best to ask your veterinarian for advice about the quality of feed and which feed is best for your pet.
Adding vitamins and mineral supplements to your pet's food is allowed only on the advice of a veterinarian. Do not feed dogs and cats from your table, sausage and sweets! These redundancies lead to serious illnesses animals!
Frequency of feeding puppies and kittens:
* At 2.5-4 months of age - 4 times a day;
* 4-6 months of age - 3 times a day;
* from 6 months and adult animals - 1-2 times a day.
If an animal suffers from food allergies, kidney and liver failure, urolithiasis and other diseases, it needs a diet. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about this.
Feeding old, weakened, pregnant and lactating dogs and cats also requires correction. What to add to the diet, and what to exclude, will tell you veterinarian. And remember! Proper nutrition is the key to your pet's health!
Some of the most common misconceptions
(All of the following is incorrect)
- The cat must eat fish and drink milk,
- Dogs need bones
- Milk is a substitute for water,
- Dry food is a vitamin supplement for an animal,
- The most the best porridge for dogs - oatmeal,
- Animals should eat the same as their owners,
- A dog should eat only meat,
- Animals need a varied diet,
- The animal itself knows what and how much to eat.
Feeding dogs and cats
This is about feeding healthy animals. Some diseases require special dietary nutrition.
The first thing the owner of the animal should decide on is the type of feeding.
There are three main types of food:
- "home food" - that is, the same products as people (meat and dairy products, cereals, vegetables, etc.). In order for the animal to feel good with this type of feeding, it is necessary to carefully balance the diet in terms of key nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) and energy.
If you still decide to feed your dog or cat food of your own preparation, then here is a list of products that are suitable for animals:
* cereals - rice, buckwheat, corn. They should be boiled in water.
* meat - beef, chicken, turkey, lamb;
* white fish;
* offal and eggs - no more than 2 times a week; Meat and fish should be without bones, without fat. It is advisable to stop at one or two types of meat (beef, poultry, rabbit meat, lamb). For a variety (and cheaper) diet, you can give the dog offal: heart, lung, liver (1 time per week), scar.
* vegetables - (carrots, cabbage, zucchini) must be in the diet. Vegetables can be any, except legumes and potatoes;
* dairy products no more than 4% fat (give milk to animals only under the age of 4 months);
* vegetable oil- corn and sunflower.
When feeding at home, to provide the animal with vitamins and minerals, it is necessary to use appropriate industrial top dressings (not to be confused with ready-made feeds!). You can choose vitamins and mineral supplements in the food of an animal only on the advice of a veterinarian.
If you have chosen a natural type of feeding, then there will be two dishes in it - meat and sour-milk.
The meat dish is easy to make. Lean beef, boneless and veined, chilled (preferably not frozen at all, so the blood is more and tastier), raw, it is not necessary to scald, cut into pieces the size of a nail (later, as the cat grows, the size of the pieces can be increased to, say, pieces 2x2x2 cm ). Add half a spoon to it. olive oil, some vegetables (mashed boiled cauliflower, ordinary white cabbage, mashed boiled beets, spinach, lettuce, cat's grass, cut like "onions in a salad") or buckwheat or rice, in the proportion of 3-4 parts of meat per 1 part of the "filler", there are also mineral supplements, vitamins, probiotics.
If you want to diversify the range of meat absorbed by the cat, you can give a beef heart cut into pieces once a week (with all the additives indicated above). Cats can't have liver. It is undesirable to give chicken as the main meat component.
Fish can be given once a week. Raw, "noble varieties" (cod, pollock, haddock, without bones, skin and films).
Fermented milk products acceptable for a cat are more diverse. The basis is one percent kefir and low-fat (up to 9%) cottage cheese. Attention, about fresh kefir, the animal can "weaken". You can also give unsweetened fruit-free yogurt, sometimes 2 times a week - 10% sour cream diluted with boiling water (it turns out warm food, even postoperative animals do not refuse it), as a treat, you can give fermented baked milk. But remember that the base is kefir!
Most cats can drink milk only in young age, adults from it most often weakens.
Grass for cats should be within reach of the beast at all times. It can be grown from a special bag with the same name, or - germinate and sow oats, wheat in sand or earth. When eating "nature" it is necessary to take a urine test every three to four months.
- industrial feed - dry and canned. Exists a large number of animal nutrition companies. It is better to use the feed of well-established companies that have research centers or cooperate with them.
Dry pet food
There is no single classification of dry animal feed, however, in general, there are following groups dry lumps:
1. Super premium class.
These are the most complete and balanced feeds produced in accordance with the latest scientific developments of large nutritional centers. Components used in the production of feed High Quality. The meat used for the production of feed is dietary, an egg is also used as a protein source, and rice is used as a vegetable component. The preparation of feed of this class is carried out using special technologies. Due to this, the nutrients of the feed are closest to natural ones and are well absorbed by animals. Although these foods are expensive, they are easily digestible and have a high nutritional value. nutritional value, so their consumption is economical.
2. Premium class
In the manufacture of feed this class high quality products are used. The meat included in their composition is dietary (chicken, lamb, turkey meat). plant component the feed is usually rice. Feed is well digested, and their consumption is economical.
3. Conventional food.
These feeds are balanced, complete, but contain food colorings and flavor additives. Feed is made from raw materials of low quality. Mainly protein in food plant origin, dietary meats are usually not included in the feed. Although these feeds are inexpensive, the nutritional value and digestibility of these feeds is low, so their consumption is higher.
Conventional pet foods are classified by some companies into the following categories:
middle-class feeds that have good palatability, but are not always completely balanced,
stern economy class, available at the price of the most a wide range consumers and being the cheapest and least quality.
For a cat, it is desirable that dry food is always freely available. Approximate norm feed is indicated by the manufacturer on the package and is measured with a measuring cup, different for each manufacturer. When feeding dry food, the cat should always have fresh water. In a day adult cat on dry food should drink 120-150 ml of water. Milk (kefir) is not considered water.
Up to 8-9 months (or even up to a year, if there is no obvious excess weight) the cat is supposed to be fed kitten food. After a year - the usual "adult" food. The transition should be carried out gradually, within 7-10 days, reducing the portion of kitten food and increasing the adult dose.
Canned food should not be left to the cat for the whole day. They put it down, ate it, that I didn’t eat it - it’s put in the refrigerator.
You can combine dry and canned food only within the same line of one manufacturer.
When feeding with ready-made feeds, it is necessary to take a urine test either after changing the feed, or every six months - a year.
- mixed type nutrition - feeding both prepared feeds and homemade food. In our society (after the appearance of ready-made foods on the market), this type of feeding has become the most common, although no scientific justification for him no. On the contrary, all serious manufacturers of complete ration prepared feeds do not recommend adding anything other than water to the industrial ration.
Here we should stop and remember that in addition to the widespread complete feeds, there are non-complete ones. So read food labels carefully. They always tell you how to use the food and whether it can be combined with anything else.

Which is better, dry food or homemade food? Why can't you feed your pet "human" food? How to feed completely little puppy or a kitten? You will find answers to these questions here. In addition, you will find out what consequences can have malnutrition- this will help you avoid mistakes and troubles, as well as give your pets good health and excellent health.

Types of feeding

The owner of a dog or cat should adhere to one of two pet diets: feeding ready-made food or food prepared by oneself. Which method is right for you - decide for yourself, and we will give some recommendations for each type of nutrition.

Ready feed

Animals that eat prepared food industrial production are provided with all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Manufacturers strive to ensure that your pet's diet is balanced and healthy. As a result, dogs and cats that eat this way are less likely to experience intestinal disorders, less likely to gain weight, dental problems, and diseases of the internal organs.

With this type of feeding, several rules should be followed:

Follow the amount of food indicated on the package.
Please check the date of manufacture before purchasing.
Try to avoid economy class feeds, as well as bulk feeds.
Make sure your pet has free access to clean water.

Cooking our own food

If you decide to cook food for your pet yourself, then remember that his digestive system is different from yours, and therefore it is harmful to feed your pet with "human" food. The diet of a carnivore (dog or cat) should not be varied, although many pet owners think otherwise. As a rule, the ingredients of such a diet should not be cooked, mainly include raw meat (and / or offal), sour-milk products, and a moderate amount of vegetables.

When compiling such a diet, the owner of the animal is simply obliged to calculate the weekly diet, according to the needs of the dog or cat, balance it, introduce additional vitamin and mineral supplements. The main advantage of this mode is that you will know exactly what your pet is eating, and main disadvantage- the complexity of compiling balanced diet corresponding to the physiology of the animal.

What not to do:

To mix different types nutrition. In factory feed, the ratio nutrients clearly verified. By giving your pet additional “goodies”, you will inevitably break this balance, which can lead to illness.
Giving foods like: pork, fish and seafood, sweets, canned food, smoked meats, milk, potatoes.
Feed the animal leftovers from the table. In addition to digestive problems, your pet may develop bad habit beg.
Overfeed.

How to feed a kitten or puppy?

The answer is simple - there are special diets for animals from the first day of life. If you decide to pick up such an animal, or there is no way to carry out maternal feeding, then you can use them. Puppies and kittens from the age of one month are already practically able to eat the diet characteristic of adult animals. You should definitely not feed newborn kittens and puppies with cow or goat milk, this will lead to problems with the digestive system and will not allow your pet to grow into a full-fledged, healthy cat or dog.

Distributed on the Internet and in the media. Today we will refute some of them.

Myth: It's ok to feed your dog table scraps.
Reality: Since the food is intended to be the sole source of nutrition for a healthy dog or cat, supplementing the pet's diet with scraps or other human foods is not necessary and often causes health problems. Many leftover foods contain too much sugar, salt, fat, or other foods that are harmful to pets. Some foods, such as chocolate for dogs and onions for cats, can be very harmful to your pet's health. In addition, feeding scraps to pets encourages begging and other undesirable pet behaviors.

Myth: I can feed dog food to my cat.
Reality: Dogs and cats each have special dietary needs and should be fed appropriate pet food. Cats should not eat dog food because it does not provide all of the essential nutrients a healthy cat needs. As their names suggest, dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cat food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of cats.

Myth: Homemade pet food is better for my pet than store-bought food.
Reality: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) does not recommend homemade food for pets. to a large extent thanks to the complex dietary needs of pets. Pets have different needs than humans; both dogs and cats have distinct needs from each other. This is why it is difficult for even the most well-trained pet owner to meet the nutritional requirements of their pet by feeding them homemade food. Many basic human foods, such as onions and chocolate, are not safe for pets, and there is a high chance of bacterial contamination from microorganisms such as Salmonella and E. coli, which can be introduced into raw materials or improperly prepared home-made foods.

The balance of nutrients in cat and dog food is important for pet health. If an appropriate balance of nutrients is not achieved, certain health problems may appear, such as:

Calcium imbalance - too much calcium can lead to growth problems, especially for puppies and kittens, and too little calcium can cause weak bones that are susceptible to breakage.
Too high fat intake can lead to pancreatic problems.

Myth: Feed production is not regulated in any way.
Reality: Feed production is regulated in many countries various organizations. In the United States, pet food is the most regulated of all. food products except for infant formula. Animal food is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the state regulates through laws and regulations developed by the Association of American officials feed quality controllers from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the US Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA). It's layered regulation and the industry's commitment to scientific research can ensure that pet food continues to be safe and nutritious for pet dogs and cats.

Myth: I don't have to follow the nutritional guidelines on the pet food package.
Reality: Pet food recommendations are developed specifically for a particular product, taking into account the life stage, breed, age and activity level of the pet. Feeding more or less, based solely on experience with other foods, cannot provide proper nutrition for your pet.
Pets, like some people, can eat too much if given the chance. Nutritional intake rates for pet food are designed to prevent a dog or cat from eating too much food. Overweight can lead to health problems. Typically, the recommended nutritional allowance is in a range based on the size of the pet. It's important to know ideal condition bodies for your pet. If you notice that the animal is gaining weight, then the amount of feed should be reduced. If the animal becomes too thin, then an increase in food intake is usually advisable.

Myth: Some of the ingredients in my pet food are empty fillers.
Reality: Every ingredient used in pet food is there for its own reason of need. Decades of research go into creating pet foods that meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats. Some ingredients serve multiple functions (they can provide nutrients as well as create a pleasant "mouthfeel"). Animal food manufacturers do not add anything extra.

Myth: Pet food companies "separate" ingredients to hide the actual amount in the product
Reality: Some people incorrectly believe that pet food manufacturers separate ingredients to create the illusion that some ingredients are in more high concentrations, than others. Pet food manufacturers are required to carefully label their products according to strict government regulations. Just as in the case of human food, the description of the pet food should make it clear which ingredients are included in the product. Every ingredient in pet food is there for a reason and serves a specific purpose.

Myth: Calcium carbonate is dangerous for dogs.
Reality: Calcium carbonate is a common component of animal feed, which is an important source of calcium and is absolutely safe. Calcium carbonate was identified as an ingredient by AAFCO in 1945 and has been used safely for many years.

Adapted from Pet Food Institute

Helpful Hints

Pets not only bring a special atmosphere to the family, but also help the children who care for them, learn responsibility. If you don't want to get a cat or dog, and if you don't have a lot of space in your apartment, then consider smaller pets.

There are many cute little animals in the world that can become your pets. But before you bring such an animal home, you should carefully study their character and habits. Not all of these creatures can be hugged and held close.

To choose pet for your child should also be based on how old your offspring is. Of course children can learn responsibility through care and communication with animals, however, experiments can end in failure for both the pet and your child.

That is why we offer you a list of ten furry and not very potential candidates for the role of a pet for your child. You just have to read the information provided and choose the pet that suits you the most.

Pets

hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are the cutest little animals that really need the least amount of attention from you. However, it should be borne in mind - if you rarely contact such a pet, then hedgehog can become quite aggressive bringing a lot of problems.

Hedgehogs are for you if you like independent animals. They are loners by nature, and usually lead an appropriate lifestyle. It is better to keep a hedgehog in a cage (as for rabbits), but do not forget - they are great at climbing, and why cover it with a lid so that the hedgehog does not slip away.

Hedgehogs mainly eat food for cats or dogs, however, periodic addition of eggs, insects, vegetables and fruits, cooked meat to the diet is necessary. Besides, hedgehogs need to be bathed regularly keeping them clean.

You should also be aware that hedgehogs are very susceptible to various diseases(at least compared to many other animals), so it pays to be careful. Hedgehogs are great pets for older children. If hedgehogs are given more attention, they become quite obedient and sociable.

Guinea pigs

Guinea pigs can hardly be called unusual pets. These cute creatures, who are often turned on for their very friendly and sociable character, are among the largest rodents.

Adult guinea pigs can reach a length of up to thirty centimeters. They are very sweet and love to interact with their owners and other guinea pigs. They live an average of five to ten years. These are the best animals to start teaching kids of all ages about care and responsibility.

Guinea pigs are much less temperamental than, for example, hamsters, and much less chance that they will bite you. However, they need constant care. The diet of pigs should consist of special granular feed, hay, as well as vegetables and fruits.

Pet stores sell portable cages for guinea pigs to which you can add various accessories(houses) so that your pig has somewhere to hide. However, the installation of a wheel is not recommended for guinea pigs, as your pet can easily injure the paws and back.

Hamsters

Hamsters are extremely popular as pets because of their cute appearance, fluffy fur, and relatively low maintenance costs. They usually easy to pick up, although some of their types small size can be quite restless, especially females.

Larger species, such as the Syrian hamster, are more peaceful and better suited for your children, who will likely want to babysit them. In addition, large species of hamsters are not so gentle, rather obedient and, if I may say so, more well-mannered.

On the other hand, hamsters are also completely self-sufficient loners, so they need cage adaptations such as tunnels, passages and wheel to maintain health. In addition, they do not necessarily need partners.

However, the disadvantage is the short life span of hamsters - from two and a half to three years. It means that you have to be mentally prepared to your child's feelings about the death of a pet. By the way, hamsters are predominantly nocturnal, most of the day being in hibernation.

Our little brothers

Rats

Perhaps a rat is not the first thing that comes to your mind when your child suddenly expresses a desire to receive a pet as a gift. In vain. The rat is in the highest degree sociable and intelligent animal that needs minimal maintenance.

In addition, they are very playful and love to mess around with all sorts of toys, balls, ropes, and can even have fun with a roll. toilet paper to your own delight. So rats are the perfect little pets?

It turns out that it is. In addition to friendliness, intelligence and sociability, they demonstrate great affection for their owners. In other words, be prepared for the fact that your children will also kindle a reciprocal relationship with them.

Rats have a wonderful memory for such small creatures. They are very unpretentious in food, although you can also buy the most suitable food for them in the appropriate stores. However, like hamsters, rats have a very short life cycle- from two to three years.

gerbils

Gerbils are collective animals that form colonies in their natural environment. That is why it is recommended to keep them in small groups - from two to four individuals. But don't be afraid - they are very inexpensive to maintain..

They prefer mixed food, very often making fairly large stocks of food (if the opportunity arises). They can be picked up and stroked, but you should do this very carefully, as gerbils are extremely gentle creatures they are easily harmed.

There are a very large number of species of gerbils, but at home they often contain the so-called Mongolian gerbil. These animals are big clean and practically do not smell. Unlike hamsters, gerbils are not nocturnal animals.

They are quite independent creatures, so they can entertain themselves for a long period of time. The life expectancy of gerbils is quite short - from three to four years, for which it is worth preparing mentally in advance.

ferrets

Ferrets are extremely active, terribly inquisitive and extremely agile animals. At the same time, they are very cute in appearance and have a fluffy fur coat, which is very pleasant to the touch. They live longer than many of their smaller counterparts.- from eight to ten years.

As soon as the ferret is released from the cage, it will immediately begin to rush around the house, studying every nook and cranny, so they should not be left unattended outside the cage. If the ferret is outside, someone must look after him, otherwise you will be tormented to look for him later.

They definitely need more attention than rats or hamsters, as they do not feel very comfortable if they are in a cage all day. It turns out a rather paradoxical situation - ferrets should not be left unattended outside the cage, but keeping them in a cage all day is undesirable even if you are not at home.

Ferrets willingly go on hands. They will not bite you, unless, of course, you accidentally harm them. These animals can play with you or your children all day long. They acquire their sweet special attraction somewhere closer to three years.

Chinchillas

Of all the fluffy pets on this list, chinchillas are the fluffiest. Their fur is thick and silky. Thanks to this, chinchillas, probably, most pleasant to pick up, stroke.

On the other hand, the chinchilla doesn't really like being squeezed. Better give her the opportunity to run around your home. An adult chinchilla reaches a length of up to 30 centimeters or even more, moreover, females are larger than males.

Chinchillas practically do not publish bad smell. And even their discharge does not smell for several days. These cute animals live from 10 to 15 years. The color of the fur of these creatures varies from the lightest tones to black, like soot.

Chinchillas do not require much attention. They feed on special food, which can be freely purchased at pet stores. Male chinchillas are best kept in pairs. But the females of these animals are single, so they can be kept one at a time.

Pet for your child

Cancer hermit

The hermit crab is far from the most common pet on this list of recommended pets. However, they are very educated and very inexpensive to maintain so they are perfect for this role.

This is a very peaceful, calm animal, not at all like those pets that you want to pick up and stroke. The hermit crab is best observed from afar as it moves slowly in his aquarium, burrowing into the sand to hide its sophisticated muzzle there.

Many owners prefer to feed their pets natural homemade food. The benefits of this diet are natural composition, the absence of artificial additives, preservatives and dyes, quality control and freshness of the components used for cooking and the possibility of creating a new recipe for the individual characteristics of the animal (diet for diseases, picky pet). The principles of feeding and options for dishes will be better formed according to the advice of a veterinarian.

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The Importance of Good Cat Nutrition

Nutrition is the most important component of the animal's health, well-being and appearance. In nature, felines feed exclusively on meat (caught birds and other animals). It is this diet that fully fills the need of cats for nutrients.

Unfortunately, some hosts underestimate the importance proper nutrition your pet, offering monotonous or completely inappropriate food.

The cat's body cannot produce some important trace elements on its own. For this reason, food should contain all essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Unbalanced food for cats leads to various diseases:

visual acuity decreases;
the heart muscle is weakened (possible death);
digestion is disturbed;
urolithiasis develops;
problems with reproductive function appear:
observed fast fatiguability, weakness.

An attentive owner can see the changes by appearance animal:

wool becomes dull, shine disappears;
dandruff appears;
wool becomes more rare, sticks out in shreds.

The Basics of Proper Cat Nutrition

Forming proper diet for your pet, you need to remember that it will be significantly different from healthy eating person. In other words, not all food from the human table is suitable for a pet.

Cat nutrition should contain a number of important components.

There are several trace elements, the presence of which is essential for health and wellness cats.

Element name	What role does it play in nutrition	What products contain
Taurine	Maintains visual acuity. Responsible for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system	Beef, poultry, seafood, white fish
Vitamin A	Increases immunity. Maintains good eyesight. Gives hair shine and gloss	Eggs, milk, liver
Vitamin E	Prevents the appearance of fatty deposits. Supports normal reproductive function	Cereals, fish, vegetable oil, eggs
B vitamins	Normalize digestion	Meat, fish, eggs
Calcium	Accelerates the growth of the skeleton in young individuals. Responsible for bone strength	Eggs, dairy products, fish

Hill's cat food line: types and composition

Advantages and disadvantages of natural nutrition

Benefits of natural nutrition:

Freshness. Being engaged in cooking food for cats on their own, the owner can control the quality and freshness of the products.
Balanced composition. Everything can be included in this food. necessary elements for health and Have a good mood your pet.
Accounting individual characteristics. Ready-made store feeds take into account General requirements feeding, individual approach provides only homemade food (recommended for cats with diseases and intolerance to certain foods).
Absence harmful additives, artificial preservatives and dyes.

No matter how good homemade cat food is, this approach to feeding still has its drawbacks:

1. Wasting time. It takes a lot of time to prepare food for pets. That is why this method is not suitable for people with a tight work schedule.
2. Special knowledge. In order to develop a balanced diet for a cat, knowledge from the field of veterinary medicine is required. On the other hand, you can always consult a veterinarian-nutritionist on this issue.
3. This method is not always cheap.

Feeding rules

Before starting planning healthy diet for a fluffy pet, you should pay attention to some rules:

1. Kittens who are 3 weeks old should be fed 3-4 times a day. For adult cats (from 6 months old) two meals a day are enough.
2. If several animals live in the house (cat, dog, chinchilla), food will have to be prepared separately for each of them. The reason for this is the different nutrient requirements. For example, cats need 5 times more protein than dogs.
3. The cat should always have free access to water. The bowl of food can be removed after each feeding, for adult cats it can be left.
4. The bowl should always be clean. Leftover food quickly turns sour and can cause indigestion.
5. It is not necessary to completely transfer the pet to natural food. It can be successfully combined with ready-made food.
6. Include in your pet's diet raw eggs, protein should be avoided - the cat's body does not digest this product. In boiled form, you can safely give both the yolk and protein.

Particular attention should be paid to the list of products that must be included in the diet:

meat (lamb, beef, horse meat, rabbit meat);
poultry meat (chicken, turkey) should be introduced into food carefully, as some breeds of cats do not tolerate this product;
offal (heart, liver, lungs) is very useful, but it is often not recommended to give;
fish (ocean, sea, river) should be lean and not bony;
dairy products (cottage cheese, milk-based starters, kefir) should not be given often, as these products have a laxative effect;
boiled vegetables (carrots, potatoes) - in small quantities;
cereals.

When preparing food for a cat, the following formula should be taken as a basis: ½ protein (meat) + ¼ carbohydrates (cereals) + ¼ fiber (vegetables).

Prohibited Products

Many products useful for human body can be extremely harmful to animals. That is why the owner should pay attention to the list of food prohibited for cats. It includes:

pork (for cats) digestive system this meat is too fatty);
garlic and onions (they are toxic substances for animals);
chocolate (white and black);
raisin;
raw dough;
sugar;
nutmeg;
ready-made dog food (it has different proportions of nutrients, so such food does not fill the needs of cats);
sweets (the sweeteners included in the composition negatively affect the liver of the animal);
tea, coffee and other products with caffeine (cats have been poisoned by caffeine);
medicines for people (including painkillers and cold medicines).

How to transfer a cat to natural food?

Cats are quite picky when it comes to food. They get used to one food and are reluctant to change their diet. To transfer them to homemade food, the owner needs to be patient and enlist the advice of experienced veterinary nutritionists:

From new food the cat may refuse. This behavior is quite normal. Do not persist, it is better to remove the rejected food. At next feeding it is necessary to offer the pet the same dish again. Soon the animal will be interested in the new taste.
You can add a little homemade food to the already familiar food. This will facilitate and speed up the transition to homemade food.
When introducing new food into the diet, you should pay attention to the behavior of the cat. Products can cause indigestion. This will need to be taken into account next time.

Homemade Cat Food Recipes

In order to make food at home, you need to use both meat and vegetables. Do not forget about porridge and cottage cheese.

To prepare food with your own hands, you will need a blender or food processor. You can experiment and mix recipes.

Chicken liver with vegetables

Not all cats like liver, so it is worth offering a new dish in small portions.

For this recipe you need:

1.5 cups of chicken liver;
0.5 cups of carrots (can be replaced with celery);
0.5 cup rice

Boil all the ingredients separately until fully cooked. Do not throw away the liquid left after cooking the liver. Put all the products in a blender and grind thoroughly, add a little liver broth.

Cottage cheese with meat

Great dairy recipe. Very easy to prepare.

The composition includes:

100 g of poultry, beef or other meat;
1 st. l. fresh cottage cheese;
1 st. l. vegetable oils;
1 st. l. carrots.

The meat and carrots are boiled, chopped well and cottage cheese and butter are added.

Chicken breasts with egg

A recipe that even the most capricious cat will appreciate.

It included:

part chicken breasts palm-sized boiled (do not use the skin);
1 st. l. boiled green beans;
1 egg;
1 st. l. boiled carrots;
⅓ cup rice (brown)
some olive oil.

All products can be finely chopped, or you can grind in a blender to a puree state.

Liver with oatmeal

The liver is a product that is often not recommended for cats, so it can be safely replaced with kidneys.

In the composition of the dish:

1 glass of boiled kidneys or liver;
3 art. spoons of zucchini or carrots;
¾ cup boiled oatmeal;
1 st. a spoon butter;
⅓ kefir.

Boil offal, finely chop or chop in a blender and mix with oatmeal and chopped carrots. Add oil and kefir, bring to a state of puree.

Vegetables with chicken

The basis of this recipe was poultry meat, so this dish is suitable for most cats.

For cooking you will need:

2 cups of chicken;
1 tbsp brown rice;
¼ st. carrots.

Boil the chicken and chop finely. Boil rice until fully cooked, grate boiled carrots on a fine grater. Mix all ingredients. Another option is to grind all the products in a blender.

To do this, you need to take 4 elements:

1.5 cups of meat (this is any meat - turkey, lamb, horse meat, beef, rabbit);
½ cup of vegetables (you can choose zucchini, carrots, wheat germ or pumpkin) - over time, you can notice that the cat eats one with pleasure and dislikes the other;
½ st. vegetables or grains (boiled potatoes, oatmeal or rice);
1 st. l. vegetable oil.

Cook all components separately and grind in a blender.

Aromatic beef with herbs

Greens in this case effectively replaces the previous vegetables.

Would need:

1 cup beef (boiled and chopped);
¼ cup parsley (you can use alfalfa)
half a glass of cottage cheese with cream.

Finely chop all products and mix.

Shrimps with carrots

An original dish for a pet, rich in useful substances.

To prepare food for 1 meal, take:

2-3 shrimp (their tail is cut off and the top layer is removed);
2 spoons of carrots.

Boiled shrimp are finely chopped and mixed with boiled carrots chopped in a blender.

In order not to have to prepare food for each feeding, food can be prepared at once for several days. ready mix put into bags and freeze. It is best to freeze food in portions. It is worth bearing in mind: depending on the size of the body and the needs of the body, the cat eats about 150-200 g of food at a time.

In fact, switching your pet to homemade food is not difficult. It is enough just to periodically spend 20-30 minutes of time on this, keeping the cooked food in the refrigerator.