Feeding a sterilized cat?

Feeding a neutered cat

How to feed a sterilized cat? This is a key question because nutrition is essential for the good health of a sterilized cat. Indeed, to properly feed your neutered cat is to keep him in good health and in shape for a long time!

You should know that sterilization changes the behavior and physique of a cat. This is because cats generally become more passive after being neutered and tend to sleep more. As a result, their energy needs will drop by about 25% after sterilization. In addition, the hormonal change that takes place in the sterilized cat causes its hunger to increase while its need for energy decreases.  

This is why, it will be necessary to give him an adapted food and to change his eating habits.

Feeding a sterilized cat - Food

As soon as your cat has been sterilized, it is essential to change its diet. Indeed, you will have to reduce its calorie intake. But this should not be done by simply reducing the amount of food given daily. Indeed, if you reduce the amount of food for him, you risk starving your sterilized cat and even no longer covering his nutritional needs sufficiently ...

The reduction in calorie intake must imperatively go through a sufficient food in quantity, nutritionally balanced and of course less calorie.

The easiest and most practical way to feed a sterilized cat by lowering its daily calorie intake and maintaining intake of essential nutrients is to opt for adapted croquettes (see below).

“Home-made” food should be avoided because it is too complicated to measure correctly (content in lipids, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, etc.). See article: How to feed a cat naturally?

In order for your neutered cat to stay in good shape without gaining weight, it is important to combine lowering the calorie intake in her diet with increasing her physical expenditure (see the Physical activity paragraph below).

Feeding a neutered cat - Quantity

It is important to feed your sterilized cat assiduously and stable with kibble specifically designed for castrated cats.

As a result, your sterilized cat will benefit from a good quality diet, in sufficient and appropriate quantity (indicated on the instructions in the bag of kibble) and whose calorie intake will be reduced.

The rations are determined according to the weight of the cat and its way of life (apartment cat, outdoor cat, sleeping cat…). Generally, for a "normal" cat, a male should ideally weigh between 3,5 and 4 kg.

To maintain this weight after sterilization, it will have to be fed with 50 g of kibble per day or 40 g of light mash + 25 g of quality kibble.

Among the light kibbles for sterilized cats, it is preferable to choose a premium quality about veterinary brands.

Important: You should completely stop the treats or other small treats that you may be used to giving him. It would be better to keep some kibble from his daily ration to give them as a reward or as a treat.

Cat food sterilized - How many times per day?

Cats love to snack all day. Therefore, it will be necessary calculate the recommended daily portion according to his age and weight as well as distribute this ration in several times during the day. Check with his veterinarian for the calculation of his daily food ration or see behind the bag of kibble.

As the amount of food should be limited for sterilized cats, ad libitum feeding is not recommended at all!

Stick to giving him only his daily ration and try to give it to him in several mini-meals spread out throughout the day.

On the other hand, if you work all day, the best will be to use a kibble dispenser that you will fill with 50% of his ration in the morning and that you will complete with the 50% left when you return in the evening.

feeding a sterilized cat

But the best solution for feeding your sterilized cat all day long with kibble in small quantities is to use automatic distributer. Indeed, you can program several meals during the day with adapted rations.

food for a sterilized cat

Sterilized cat - Physical activity

Depending on their usual activity level, it is up to you to adjust the increase in physical activity relative to what your cat will be able to do.

If you have a garden, then it will climb trees, jump the fence, chase birds and thus burn calories (see how do i get my cat used to going out and coming back?).

If your cat stays indoors, set up a beautiful cat tree and buy him toys to make him run, jump, move (see article: How to occupy a cat?).

Sterilized cat - Weight control

It is recommended to check the weight of a sterilized cat every month. Indeed, a variation of 500 grams will be an alert. You will know that his diet is not suitable and suddenly you can adjust up or down ...

Your veterinarian will help you control its weight because normally 2 to 3 visits will be scheduled over the 12 months following the cat's sterilization. See also What is the normal weight of a cat according to its age?

Which sterilized cat food?

To choose the best kibble for your sterilized cat, either take advice from your veterinarian or buy some on the Internet from the brands recommended by veterinarians: Hills, Advance, Purina Proplan and even Eukanuba.

Here is one of the most recognized brands in terms of quality (nutritionally balanced kibble, well tolerated and effective in stabilizing the weight of a sterilized cat):

Feeding a sterilized cat dry food

Food sterilized cats - What about pâtés?

If your cat is greedy, to please him, you can alternate a few kibble meals with a mash or bites (more in the evening or on weekends).

Here is a brand that succeeds in combining low calorie intake, good taste, good tolerance and good nutritional value:

Royal Canin Cat Neutered Adult 

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