Sterilized cats require special nutrition, so special food has been developed for such animals. It allows you to fill their diet with the necessary elements to prevent the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system and excess weight gain. Therefore, many owners are thinking about buying the right food.
Many manufacturers offer a special line for sterilized animals. The difference lies not only in price, but also in the composition of the product and purpose. Therefore, the rating will include dry food with different characteristics. You will also learn how to choose the right products and what their differences are.
Rating of TOP 10 foods for sterilized cats
When compiling the rating, I studied popular dry food for sterilized cats. I suggest you familiarize yourself with the list of products, compiled from cheap to more expensive based on price per 1 kg:
- Purina ONE for the prevention of urolithiasis
- Cat Chow
- Monge Superpremium Cat
- Royal Canin 37
- Purina Pro Plan Sterilized 7+
- Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic
- Purina Pro Plan Sterilized
- Primordial Grain Free Cat Sterilizzato Turkey
- Grandorf 4 Meat & Brown Rice Sterilized
- Now Fresh grain free
Purina ONE for the prevention of urolithiasis
Due to the high protein content, the pet's optimal health and weight are maintained. The product is also rich in fiber, which is necessary to normalize digestion and supply important microelements. The dried chicory root included in the product prevents the formation of an unpleasant odor from the cat's litter box. A correctly selected balance of minerals prevents the development of urolithiasis. Carbohydrates provide your pet with sufficient energy and he leads an active lifestyle. Per serving contains: 34% protein, 13% fat, 7.5 crude ash, 6% crude fiber.
Purina ONE for the prevention of urolithiasis | |
Packaging (kg) | 3 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | No |
Peculiarities | prevention of ICD |
Price
from 930 to 1029 rub.
- no unpleasant or pungent odor;
- can be bought almost everywhere;
- the condition of the coat has improved;
- balanced composition.
- not found.
I am a veterinarian myself and therefore I choose food very carefully. I have been feeding my pet only this product for 3 years now. It has many advantages: balanced composition, contains prebiotics and fiber, no dyes or flavor enhancers. My fluffy has silky fur, a good appetite, is active and has no problems with the toilet. You can buy packaging at any supermarket.
Purina ONE for the prevention of urolithiasis
Cat Chow
This product is in demand among cat breeders. It contains a large amount of whole grains, which are a source of fiber, vitamins and microelements. In second place is meat and its processed products. There are also small amounts of vegetable and animal fats and vegetables. Enriched with vitamins: A, D, E and group B. Designed taking into account changes in the body of a sterilized animal and is intended for the age group from 1 to 6 years. The composition contains preservatives. It is well tolerated by pets and normalizes their digestion. Medium size granules.
Cat Chow | |
Packaging (kg) | 0,4; 1,5; 7; 15 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | No |
Peculiarities | more herbal ingredients |
Price
from 518 to 4856 rub.
- cats quickly switch to a new diet;
- a good appetite;
- no pungent odor;
- normal composition;
- no weight gain.
- large percentage of plant ingredients.
For several years now I have been feeding my cats only Cat Chow. Sometimes I alternate it with such lines as for the prevention of urolithiasis and for sensitive digestion. I like the products of this manufacturer because they contain only natural products. My pets do not gain weight, they feel great and are active. They eat everything completely without a trace and are full.
Expert opinion
Antonina Sidorova
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To prevent obesity in sterilized cats, it is necessary to choose food with a minimum fat content. At the same time, there should be more fiber, proteins, microelements and vitamins.
Cat Chow for sterilized cats
Monge Superpremium Cat
Dry food from an Italian manufacturer with a reduced calorie content, which means it is an excellent preventive measure against obesity. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and supports the animal's immunity. Hard-to-digest carbohydrates (H.O.C.) help maintain the balance of intestinal microflora, as well as support immunity and help absorb nutrients. Weight control is achieved by adding fiber. The fiber contained in the food is slowly absorbed and dulls the feeling of hunger for a long time. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats ensure a cat’s beautiful coat and health.
Monge Superpremium Cat | |
Packaging (kg) | 10 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | No |
Peculiarities | sensitive digestion |
Price
from 4045 to 5345 rub.
- cats' health improves;
- the coat is shiny and does not tangle;
- causes appetite;
- Suitable for those with sensitive digestion.
- not detected.
Several years ago I switched my cat to this food. After some time, they took tests and they improved. Before that I was on Whiskas. I can say that it is cheaper, but then because of poor health you will pay a lot of money. Therefore, I do not recommend saving. The coat after it is magnificent. The cat has lost a little weight, but is normal and active.
Expert opinion
Antonina Sidorova
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This manufacturer's dry food primarily contains natural meat without the addition of preservatives or flavor enhancers.
Monge Superpremium Cat
Royal Canin 37
Quite a popular brand among owners of spayed/neutered cats. The product is produced in France, and packaging is carried out in Russia. It belongs to the middle price segment, therefore it is more affordable. The product includes all the necessary elements to maintain the health of a sterilized animal. This food does not cause any disturbances in the cat's digestive tract and it does not gain excess weight. In addition, it does not cause urolithiasis. Main product: dehydrated animal protein, but it does not indicate what part was used in production. Also included is plant protein isolate and plant fiber. The composition is described in general terms and there is no exact data on the content of BJU.
Royal Canin 37 | |
Packaging (kg) | 4 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | No |
Peculiarities | prevention of excess weight |
Price
from 1894 to 2577 rubles.
- eat with pleasure;
- normal and regular bowel movements;
- the wool shines;
- no weight gain.
- not found.
We have two neutered cats. Before this, they fed him other food and had problems. The younger one was losing hair, and the older one had digestive problems. For several years now we have been giving only Royal Canin and gradually all these troubles have gone away. Cats eat it with great pleasure. Therefore, I can say that the product is of high quality and we do not want to change it.
Expert opinion
Antonina Sidorova
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When feeding your cat dry food, you need to change the water daily. Its quantity should be three times the feed.
Royal Canin 37
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized 7+
Super premium food is produced in America and is intended for animals over 7 years old. It contains an excellent combination of natural ingredients and microelements necessary for castrated/sterilized animals. This combination makes it possible to prevent the formation of tartar, urolithiasis and regulate weight. The granules are a uniform brown color, not hard or greasy. For easy storage, the bag has a zipper. The composition comes first with 14% meat, dried poultry protein, rice, corn and wheat gluten. enriched with vitamins A, B, D, C. It also contains: iron, iodine, copper, zinc, selenium and manganese. Protein 40%, fat 13%, fiber 3%.
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized 7+ | |
Packaging (kg) | 1,5; 3; 7; 10 |
Cat age (years) | from 7 |
Holistic | No |
Peculiarities | for older animals |
Price
from 762 to 2215 rub.
- the coat is shiny and does not shed much;
- urination improves;
- the animal became playful and active again;
- no pungent odor;
- There is a lock for storing products.
- not found.
My cat is already 10 years old. Therefore, several years ago we switched to Proplan. After about a month, I noticed that his eyes stopped watering, his playfulness appeared, his coat became shiny and his digestion improved. Over the years, he tried many different flavors and liked it best with turkey.
Expert opinion
Antonina Sidorova
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Good food should not contain flavorings or additives.
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized 7+
Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic
These products are holistic, that is, they contain only natural ingredients without the addition of dyes and flavors. Complete and complete dry food for sterilized cats and neutered cats consists of the following ingredients: 42% dehydrated meat, 20% fresh meat, 12% dehydrated poultry, sweet potato, chicken fat, 7% sugar cane fiber, pea starch and its fibers, chicken liver and chicory root, podo. The feed does not contain by-products or low-grade grain crops. It belongs to the highest class of food products for pets.
Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic | |
Packaging (kg) | 0,4 |
Cat age (years) | 1-7 |
Holistic | Yes |
Peculiarities | with sugarcane fibers |
Price
527 rub.
- high content of natural meat;
- no preservatives or cheap grains;
- saves from allergies;
- excellent appetite;
- healthy pet.
- difficult to buy, as it is rarely available in retail.
Before that, I fed my cat another Italian food, but he became allergic. Therefore, on the recommendation of the veterinarian, I switched to this one. We moved on gradually, mixing in more and more of Alleva Holistic. Later I noticed that my cat began to choose it from the entire bowl. It's obvious that he liked it. The allergy gradually went away.
Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized
The product is designed for adult animals aged 1 to 6 years. It contains 41% protein, 12% fat, 7.5% crude ash and 4% crude fiber. It is also enriched with vitamins and microelements. To preserve the food, it contains a small proportion of preservatives. Reducing the risk of calcium crystallization in the urine is achieved by maintaining acidity balance. If you follow the dosage indicated on the package in accordance with the weight of the animal, there is no risk of gaining excess weight. When chewing granules, mechanical cleaning of tooth enamel occurs. This allows for the prevention of plaque formation.
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized | |
Packaging (kg) | 1,5; 3; 7; 10 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | No |
Peculiarities | can be given for allergies |
Price
from 810 to 5386 rub.
- granules are small;
- suitable for picky cats;
- prevents urolithiasis;
- animals eat with appetite;
- less animal smell in the house.
- not found.
The food is excellent and I have been buying it for 5 years. We switched to it on the recommendation of a veterinarian. My cat has become obese. Within a year everything returned to normal and he became active. He eats with pleasure. The animal now looks healthy. I buy a 10 kg package at once, as it is cheaper. But the only bad thing is that there is only one taste, as it gets boring. I would like variety in large packages.
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized
Primordial Grain Free Cat Sterilizzato Turkey
The product belongs to the highest class of feed - holistic. It is completely grain-free and contains large amounts of real meat. Produced in Italy and on the Russian market relatively recently. Ingredients: fresh poultry 35%, dehydrated chicken 16%, peas, dehydrated duck 14%, potatoes, chicken and turkey fat, fiber and vegetables. The balance of ingredients is selected in such a way that it preserves the health of a castrated or sterilized pet and provides its body with all the necessary microelements and vitamins. Therefore, there is no need to give them additionally. Suitable for picky cats and those with sensitive digestion.
Primordial Grain Free Cat Sterilizzato Turkey | |
Packaging (kg) | 2 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | Yes |
Peculiarities | side dish vegetables |
Price
from 1147 to 1653 rub.
- no pungent or unpleasant odor;
- has a great effect on health and activity;
- excellent meat composition without preservatives and other chemicals.
- Sometimes it is difficult to switch a cat from cheap flavored food to holistic food.
The product is high quality. You will be convinced of this enough if you read the contents. My cat was on cheap food for a long time and therefore it was difficult to switch her to this one. I was warned that this would happen. Somehow I got used to it. After 6 months, she gained muscle mass to normal, is active and radiantly healthy. In general, we are satisfied!
Expert opinion
Antonina Sidorova
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Successfully selected food can be determined by the animal’s appetite, shiny coat, elimination of constipation and a healthy body constitution.
Primordial Grain Free Cat Sterilizzato Turkey
Grandorf 4 Meat & Brown Rice Sterilized
This product belongs to the highest class of dry food - holistic. It is designed taking into account all the needs of the body of a castrated or sterilized cat. Produced in Belgium and has a high protein content. It contains exclusively natural ingredients, the main ones of which are 4 types of meat: turkey, duck, rabbit and lamb. In addition, it contains: brown rice, dried sweet potatoes and Atlantic krill meat. To normalize digestion, prebiotics are added to the food. Also present: dried cranberries, antioxidants and amino acids. Due to its high nutritional value, consumption is low.
Grandorf 4 Meat&Brown Rice Sterilized | |
Packaging (kg) | 0.4 and 2 |
Cat age (years) | 1-6 |
Holistic | Yes |
Peculiarities | for allergies |
Price
from 440 to 1500 rub.
- excellent composition;
- there is no need to give additional vitamins, since it contains everything you need;
- affordable price among holistic practitioners;
- animals eat with pleasure;
- There is a lock on the package.
- not found.
For several years we struggled with the selection of food, since the cat was allergic to all brands. As a result, the veterinarian recommended Grandorf to us. Now we only buy it. Came up right away. The coat is shiny and does not shed, there are no problems with digestion or stool. The cat became playful and affectionate. The only problem is that buying this product is not always easy, since stores periodically run out of it.
Grandorf 4 Meat & Brown Rice Sterilized
Now Fresh grain free
The food from a Canadian manufacturer is made from fresh and boneless meat. Belongs to the highest class of food products for sterilized cats and neutered cats. It is grain-free and uses fruits and vegetables as a source of fiber and carbohydrates. According to the manufacturer, there are no components grown with the use of hormones in its products. The protein content in the feed is at least 30% and this is the main ingredient. Designed for older cats over 7 years old. A balanced protein and fat content allows for the prevention of obesity.
Now Fresh grain free | |
Packaging (kg) | 1,82;3,63 |
Cat age (years) | from 7 |
Holistic | Yes |
Peculiarities | for sensitive digestion |
Price
from 1657 to 2229 rub.
- activity and shiny coat;
- eat with appetite;
- there is a clasp on the package;
- balanced composition of natural ingredients;
- no health problems.
- Small granules are not suitable for large breeds.
Having familiarized yourself with the composition, you immediately understand why the food is not cheap. My cat (British) is already 15 years old. We switched to New Fresh recently, but I’ll immediately note that many of the sores have gone away: bad breath, diarrhea, allergic reactions and incessant shedding. My pet eats it with pleasure. There were no problems with the transition. The only downside I can mention is the high price.
Now Fresh grain free
Diet preparation
A properly composed diet is an opportunity to prevent urolithiasis and obesity.
In the first days, portions should be a third of the usual dose.
The cause of the disease may be an excess of:
- Vitamin A (found in cheese, liver, butter).
- Glutamic acid (found in seafood, fish, tomatoes).
- Magnesium (found in nuts, beans, chocolate).
- Phosphorus (found in eggs, fish, peas, corn).
The daily amount of feed should be 30-60 g per 1 kg of animal.
The daily norm contains:
- 35% protein. The animal's body does not produce it on its own.
- 35% carbohydrates, important for maintaining energy.
- 30% fat. Their deficiency contributes to the appearance of problems with the skin and coat, while an excess leads to excess weight gain.
Be sure to read:
Why do you need special food for sterilized cats?
You cannot mix natural food and industrial feed.
Comparison of the best foods for sterilized cats
We studied the main characteristics of food for sterilized cats. We learned about their differences, pros and cons, and customer reviews. Now I propose to compare all the foods included in the top 10 in a comparison table:
Model | Packaging (kg) | Cat age (years) | Holistic | Peculiarities | price, rub. |
Purina ONE for the prevention of urolithiasis | 3 | 1-6 | No | prevention of ICD | 930-1029 |
Cat Chow | 0,4; 1,5; 7; 15 | 1-6 | No | more herbal ingredients | 518-4856 |
Monge Superpremium Cat | 10 | 1-6 | No | sensitive digestion | 4045-5345 |
Royal Canin 37 | 4 | 1-6 | No | prevention of excess weight | 1894-2577 |
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized 7+ | 1,5; 3; 7; 10 | from 7 | No | for older animals | 762-2215 |
Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic | 0,4 | 1-7 | Yes | with sugarcane fibers | 527 |
Purina Pro Plan Sterilized | 1,5; 3; 7; 10 | 1-6 | No | can be given for allergies | 810-5386 |
Primordial Grain Free Cat Sterilizzato Turkey | 2 | 1-6 | Yes | side dish vegetables | 1147-1653 |
Grandorf 4 Meat&Brown Rice Sterilized | 0.4 and 2 | 1-6 | Yes | for allergies | 440-1500 |
Now Fresh grain free | 1,82;3,63 | from 7 | Yes | for sensitive digestion | 1657-2229 |
How to avoid obesity?
Most neutered cats suffer from obesity.
The following factors contribute to its development:
- Sedentary lifestyle. The pet spends most of its time in an apartment in limited space. At the same time, the owner believes that the adult animal has long lost interest in active games.
- High calorie diet. Feeding without compliance with standards, leading to overfeeding, and food from the table.
- Unbalanced diet. Vitamin and mineral deficiency lead to metabolic disorders.
- Hormonal disbalance. It can also cause excess weight.
- Breed predisposition. Due to genetic characteristics, some breeds are prone to obesity. For example, Persian or British.
You can determine if your pet is obese by the following signs:
- Saggy belly.
- Complete absence of a “waist”.
- The chest and spine are almost not palpable.
Be sure to read:
Can cats eat fish: how much can you give, what are the benefits and harms, what is not allowed, combination with food
If you suspect your pet is obese, you should show it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Only a specialist will be able to correctly assess the animal’s motor activity and, based on this, calculate the amount of feed.
Prevention of the development of obesity after castration comes down mainly to strict calculation of feeding portions and stimulation of the animal’s activity. For example, you can purchase a special play complex or take your pet for walks.
Best lists
Having studied all the popular foods for sterilized cats, we will choose the best in terms of quality and price. I propose to set the following categories for this:
- the best holistic food for sterilized cats;
- the best food for sterilized cats and female cats aged 1 to 6 years;
- The best food for sterilized cats and cats over 7 years old.
The best holistic food for sterilized cats
This category includes the grain-free complete food Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic. Available in three varieties: lamb and venison, ocean fish, chicken and duck. This series includes both products for cats from 1 to 6 years old, and for kittens. Therefore, you can accustom your pet to good dry food almost from birth.
The Italian manufacturer produces products without dyes or flavors, even those that are safe for health. The composition contains only high-quality meat and fish without bones in a dehydrated (60%) and raw state (20%), useful extracts of herbs, berries and vegetables. There are no grain crops here. The products are fully balanced in microelements and vitamins, so there is no need to give them additionally.
The company has been on the global market for more than 120 years and is famous for only high-quality pet products. Our own developments allowed us to improve the composition and achieve recognition among cat owners. Grain-free food allows you to bring your animal's diet closer to what it receives living in the wild. This has the highest proportion of protein content. The cat's body is designed in such a way that proteins are more important than carbohydrates. Therefore, Diusa Pet Alleva Holistic is most suitable for maintaining health and immunity. Judging by the reviews of the owners, their animals quickly switch to this product and recover after consuming cheap feed. These cats feel better, the condition of their teeth and coat improves, and their weight normalizes. All this suggests that this food is suitable for sterilized cats.
The food is excellent for pets suffering from allergies, obesity, and who have developed health problems due to the consumption of lower class products. But if your cat or feline is inactive, then holistic can lead to excess weight. Therefore, it is better to first take a small package for testing.
The best food for sterilized cats and female cats aged 1 to 6 years
This category includes a complete and balanced diet from Monge Superpremium Cat, which belongs to the superpremium class. It is available for both kittens and adults. Therefore, almost from birth you can accustom your pet to good nutrition.
In first place in terms of content is the meat product in a dehydrated state and must be at least 10% fresh meat, and the total amount is at least 36%. In addition there are cereals, dried egg, salmon flour and oil, brewer's yeast (source of vitamin B), vitamins and minerals. The high content of protein and L-carnitine allows you to maintain activity and physical fitness for a long time.
The food is suitable not only for spayed and neutered cats, but also for those with sensitive digestion. Ensuring the proper functioning of the digestive system and the balance of intestinal flora due to the prebiotics FOS and MOS. The first improves the growth of beneficial bacteria, and the second prevents pathogenic bacteria from attaching to the mucous membrane. Due to this, the immune system is supported and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is improved.
Healthy skin, coat and increased body resistance to inflammatory processes due to the balanced content of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Prevention of the development of urolithiasis is carried out thanks to a balanced composition and neutral Ph. This product contains no dyes, preservatives or flavors.
The best food for sterilized cats and cats over 7 years old
This category includes the Purina Pro Plan Sterilized 7+ diet. The product recipe is rich in protein, vitamins, amino acids, and microelements. Ph balance is maintained, which acts as a prevention of urolithiasis. The LONGEVIS complex was developed specifically taking into account the needs of older sterilized cats and their low activity, so it allows you to balance their diet. It has been scientifically proven to extend their life by at least one year and improve their health.
The content of natural proteins is at least 41% and a reduced amount of carbohydrates. It contains a complex of vitamins: E, B, A and D3. As well as important microelements, 3% Omega-3 and 0.5 Omega-6. The balance of protein, carbohydrates and fiber allows you to maintain optimal weight, preventing the development of obesity. In addition, it supports the cat’s basic vital functions: immune, digestive and renal. The daily diet takes into account the weight of the animal and must be adhered to in order to prevent overeating and the associated consequences.
Choice of diet: natural food or industrial feed
Experts disagree on what is best for indoor cats: natural food or commercially produced food. Both feeding options are acceptable, but the owner should decide in advance.
Proponents of natural feeding believe that to maintain health, a pet should be fed food whose composition is as close as possible to what it can get in natural conditions. In nature, cats usually catch small animals: rodents, small birds, and snack on some grass. Dietary meats contain the same set of proteins as wild-caught mice or poultry, so they are most suitable for feeding a cat.
The benefits of a natural diet include:
- the ability to independently determine the ratio of BJU;
- no food additives: table salt, flavor enhancers, flavorings, spices;
- There is a fairly high moisture content in meat and milk, which will allow you not to be afraid of dehydration of the cat’s body.
There are also disadvantages:
- quite high time costs: you will have to buy food and cook not only for yourself, but also for the cat, and separately;
- high financial costs: meat is now expensive;
- rapid spoilage of food prepared for the cat, the need to remove the uneaten portion each time so that the food does not spoil;
- the need to provide additional vitamins and minerals to maintain the health of a sterilized cat.
In the industrial production of cat food, their needs are taken into account: the content of nutrients is balanced, vitamins and essential minerals are added. In the lines intended for sterilized cats and neutered cats, the content of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus salts, which are harmful to animals that have undergone such a procedure, is reduced. This only applies to high quality feed.
Manufacturers of economy class feed think more about profitability and liquidity, so they spare no expense on advertising and reduce the final cost of the product as much as possible. As a result, there is nothing useful for cats in this food; it is not clear what it is made from, even if you carefully read the composition on the packaging (manufacturers are often tricky here). By the way, on our portal you can read an article about the composition of various cat foods.
Premium food is more expensive, but its composition is balanced and the food contains all the necessary components. The most beneficial food for cats is super-premium and higher - this is a category called holistic. You should only choose products labeled “for sterilized and neutered cats.”
High quality dry food has the following advantages:
- this style of eating is cheaper than a natural diet;
- no time spent on preparing food for your pet: just pour food into a bowl (you can feed it for the whole day, having previously calculated the daily amount yourself or with the help of a veterinarian);
- the cat receives a well-balanced set of nutrients, enriched with vitamins and minerals;
- Wide range of flavors to provide variety for your cat.
Among the disadvantages of dry food are:
- the composition is far from natural nutrition, to which the cat’s digestive tract is best adapted;
- low moisture content, so you will have to monitor how much liquid your cat consumes;
- a cat may overeat due to the fact that manufacturers add substances that attract it to enhance taste and aroma.
Experts do not recommend feeding your cat exclusively dry food. Once a day you can give a portion of wet ready-made food. They are produced in convenient packages (pouches), designed for servings, and have a taste that is attractive to cats. In addition, they contain more meat than dry food. Wet food contains more liquid. But the price of such food is higher than that of dry food.
Differences between food for sterilized cats and cats
After sterilization or castration, cats undergo changes in their bodies, so they need to establish proper nutrition. The animal's behavior becomes more phlegmatic and aggression disappears. Such pets live longer and are less prone to cancer, but their body is prone to developing:
- obesity;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- decreased activity;
- urolithiasis.
In this regard, all good food intended for sterilized cats and female cats is developed taking into account all these characteristics of the body.
There are 4 classes of dry food:
- Economy These are cheap products, so they contain bone meal, offal, flavorings and flavoring additives. Colored granules. These include Whiskas, Friskas, Kitiket
- Premium The composition contains protein and by-products. These include Hills and Royal Canin.
- Super premium. Meat and a small amount of offal predominate. This group contains foods such as 1st Choice and Profine Adult Cat.
- Holistic. The highest class of products. They are prepared according to the development of nutritionists and include dehydrated meat and fish. It does not contain poorly digestible plant proteins (corn, gluten, wheat). Vegetables act as fiber and there are absolutely no artificial ingredients in this product.
Features of the body of sterilized animals
The lifestyle of a pet after castration or sterilization changes dramatically. The following physiological changes result from the removal of the gonads (testes in cats and ovaries in cats):
- Hormonal background. The amount of sex hormones in the animal’s blood decreases sharply, so sexual behavior also changes. Sexual desire is almost completely absent, so the need to find a partner disappears. The animal does not need to mark territory and defend its boundaries. The hormonal background becomes stable and even, as a result of which the cat’s activity decreases. The pet becomes lazy, preferring to sleep most of the day.
- Metabolism. The main sex hormone testosterone promotes muscle development and is responsible for enhancing metabolic processes. It is produced not only in cats, but also in cats, although in much smaller quantities. In addition, the ovaries of females supply female hormones - estrogens, which suppress appetite (during estrus). After surgery, the level of these substances decreases significantly, and the production of prolactin increases. The consequence of this is the deposition of subcutaneous fat and obesity of the castrated animal.
- Increased appetite. Hormonal changes increase appetite. Many pets after surgery do not know any limits when it comes to food and absorb everything that is in the bowl. But the animal’s energy needs are greatly reduced due to the lack of need for procreation and the associated stressful situations. For this reason, obesity is common in spayed and neutered animals.
- Genitourinary system. A sedentary lifestyle, increased appetite and excess weight cause the tendency of operated animals to form a large number of struvite crystals in the bladder, which cause inflammatory processes (cystitis) and can even clog the urethra (in cats). The frequency of urination is reduced to 1-4 times a day; stagnant urine contributes to the settling of sand and stones. The risk of urolithiasis and infection increases.
How to choose food for a sterilized cat?
First of all, when you choose food for your pet, you need to pay attention to its composition. The rule here is: “The shorter the list, the better. And also there should be no chemical ingredients.”
The main ingredient should come first, that is, protein. And this is meat or chicken. A good product will not consist of colored granules. They should only be a nondescript brown color.
The more nutritional components a food contains, the more satisfying it is. This means the animal will eat less. The dry product must be washed down with clean water. Therefore, with a smaller volume, the animal needs a little liquid and it will not swell much in the stomach. Accordingly, digestion will be better and all useful elements will enter the blood.
Another aspect of choice is disease prevention. The food that prevents the development of urolithiasis contains less magnesium, the correct ratio of phosphorus and calcium, and a lot of protein.
Components of a sterilized cat's diet
In addition to store-bought food, which has its own advantages and disadvantages, it is acceptable to have natural products in the daily diet, provided they are additionally enriched with a vitamin complex.
- Porridge made from cereals such as rice, corn, wheat or oatmeal with the addition of lean meat;
- Dietary types of meat: chicken, turkey or rabbit;
- Canned food with a specialized sign “for sterilized cats”;
- Grass grown at home or purchased in a container at a pet store;
- Liquid meat broth.
What to exclude from your diet
The first product that should be excluded from the daily diet is fish. This is due to the increased content of phosphorus in it, which has a negative effect on the condition of the urinary system. An excessive amount of this microelement in the body causes the development of urolithiasis. You should also exclude salted and smoked sausages.