Swedish forest cats are carnivores. Never forget that when you’re trying to decide how to feed the Swedish forest cat. If you don’t adhere to the intended diet, the Swedish forest cat may become a finicky eater. You can have trouble getting the Swedish forest cat to eat if you’re giving him non-meat based foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, nuts, seeds, etc.
What should Swedish forest cats eat?
You must always keep in mind Swedish forest cats share much of their dna with the largest of cats — tigers, lions,and pumas, etc. — so take that to heart when you’re feeding your Swedish forest cat. You won’t witness a mature lion on Animal Planet drinking milk, eating an apple, or chewing grass in the wild. You also would never observe a young panther cub in nature drinking milk from a cow, or any other animal that wasn’t the mother. As ridiculous as these examples sound, that’s exactly how many owners feed their Swedish forest cats. So you shouldn’t expect your Swedish forest cat at home to be ecstatic when that’s what you try to give to make him eat. Swedish forest cats don’t eat the same way dogs or humans do. As far as their diet is concerned, they are very inflexible, and you must always keep this in mind. Swedish forest cats consume almost exclusively proteins and fats as opposed to omnivores like humans who also get nutrition from vegetables and fruits. If we ate like Swedish forest cats, we’d develop heart disease by age 20. Although they’re a part of the family, that does not mean they should eat what you and the dogs eat. Unfortunately, it’s common for people to feed their Swedish forest cats like they treat their dogs, who can eat a variety of different foods and stay healthy. In fact, dog food can be deadly to Swedish forest cats over time because it does not meet their nutritional requirements and it’s usually loaded with carbohydrates, which Swedish forest cats can’t process properly. Swedish forest cats will develop extreme obesity issues from carbs, which can eventually lead to diabetes. The long and short of it is that Swedish forest cats must avoid carbohydrates at all cost.
young Swedish forest cat care tips
Satiating Your Swedish forest cat’s Taste Buds
Before deciding on a particular food for your Swedish forest cat make certain it is recommended by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Meeting the standards guarantees that the Swedish forest cat is receiving the necessary nutrition. It’s ok to ignore marketing terms such as “premium”, ” super-premium”, ” natural”, and “gourmet” which have no standard definition. Ask your doctor which type of food (wet or dry) they recommend for the Swedish forest cat. Once you’ve decided, let your Swedish forest cat do a taste test. If the Swedish forest cat likes the food and doesn’t display any digestive issues (such as constipation) later, you’ve made a good choice. If the Swedish forest cat does not seem to enjoy it, however, it’s necessary to go back to square 1. Swedish forest cats would sometimes prefer to go on hunger strikes rather than eat food they don’t enjoy, and these strikes can truly be harmful. If he decides to stop eating, the Swedish forest cat runs a high risk of liver failure or death. If you do need to switch foods, introduce a different type of food a little bit at a time, in small amounts over about a week. This makes it easier for your Swedish forest cat to accept and reduces the chances of somach discomfort.
Snacks, Feeding Time, and Portion Size for Swedish forest cats
How much food do you need to feed your Swedish forest cat? There are many things that determine that answer. For example, is the Swedish forest cat an indoor or outdoor cat? Has the Swedish forest cat been neutered or spayed? Answers to both of these questions determine your Swedish forest cat’s dietary requirements. Your best bet is to consult your doctor, who will identify your Swedish forest cats ideal weight and daily nutritional requirements. Take initiative about asking your veterinarian about your Swedish forest cat’s weight and food. Once you learn how much your Swedish forest cat needs, don’t deviate. Although it seems like it’s not enough, your Swedish forest cat will get used to it and remain at a ideal weight. It’s difficult to help overweight Swedish forest cat lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at a healthy size. Once you’ve gotten this info from the doctor, it’s time to schedule the Swedish forest cat’s meals. Swedish forest cats like to eat all day, so it’s just best to leave meals out for them where it’s accessible all the time. You can also give out half for the morning and the other half for the evening for a little portion control. Don’t go overboard with treats, either. Don’t let treats dilute their nutrition. Just like with people, you don’t want them eating too much salt.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Swedish forest cats
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