Norwegian Forest Cats are predators. Never forget that when you’re trying to decide what food your Norwegian Forest Cat should eat. If you don’t stick to this, your Norwegian Forest Cat may reject your food offerings. You can have a hard time getting the Norwegian Forest Cat to eat if you’re giving him food that is not meat or formulated from meat products.
What do Norwegian Forest Cats eat?
Remember Norwegian Forest Cats share much of their dna with the fiercest of cats — leopards, lions and tigers — so take that to heart while feeding your Norwegian Forest Cat. Never will you see a full grown tiger on National Geographic eating an apple, chewing grass, or drinking milk in nature. You also would never see a panther cub in nature drinking milk from a cow, or any other animal that wasn’t the mother. As absurd as these examples are, that’s how many owners feed their Norwegian Forest Cats. So you should not expect your Norwegian Forest Cat at home to be ecstatic when that’s what you try to give her. Norwegian Forest Cats don’t eat the same way dogs and humans do. As far as their diet is concerned, they rarely stray, and as an owner you must realize that. In contrast to what their owners should be eating, Norwegian Forest Cats need to eat a high proportion of meat for fat and protein. If we ate like Norwegian Forest Cats, we’d develop heart disease by age 20. They are not at all like people and they are not like miniature dogs. Many times, you’ll find owners who feed their Norwegian Forest Cats the same way they feed themselves and the dog, even though the Norwegian Forest Cats diet is much more restrictive. Because dog food is predominantly carbs, a dog’s diet can be deadly to your Norwegian Forest Cat if fed day in and day out. Norwegian Forest Cats are not meant to eat carbs and can’t process them. Norwegian Forest Cats get extreme weight problems from carbs, which can lead to diabetes. The long and short of it is that Norwegian Forest Cats must avoid carbohydrates at all cost.
tips for taking care of young Norwegian Forest Cats
Satiating Your Norwegian Forest Cat’s Taste Buds
Be sure any food you buy for your Norwegian Forest Cat meets the guidelines set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Satisfying the requirements ensures that the Norwegian Forest Cat is receiving the correct food. It’s ok to ignore marketing terms like “super-premium”, ” natural”, ” premium”, and “gourmet” which have no set definition. You can ask your veterinarian which type of food (wet or dry) they recommend for your Norwegian Forest Cat. After you have made your choice, let your Norwegian Forest Cat do a taste test. The food is a a great choice if your Norwegian Forest Cat likes it and doesn’t display any noticeable discomfort afterward. However, if the Norwegian Forest Cat doesn’t tolerate the food, you need to be ready to provide options. If the Norwegian Forest Cat doesn’t enjoy the food you have given him, a dangerous hunger strike is possilbe. If she commits to stop eating, your Norwegian Forest Cat runs a high risk of death or liver failure at the least. If you ever need to switch foods, bring in the new food little by little, in small quantities over a week. This makes it easier for your Norwegian Forest Cat to accept and reduces the chances of somach discomfort.
Feeding Time, Snacks, and Portion Size for Norwegian Forest Cats
How much food do you need to feed the Norwegian Forest Cat? The answer may surprise you. For example, is the Norwegian Forest Cat an indoor or outdoor cat? Has your Norwegian Forest Cat been neutered or spayed? Both determine your Norwegian Forest Cat’s nutritional requirements. Your best bet is to consult your doctor, who will define your Norwegian Forest Cats ideal weight and daily calorie count. Once you figure out how much food your Norwegian Forest Cat needs, stick to the plan. Although it seems like it’s not enough, your Norwegian Forest Cat will get used to it and settle at a ideal weight. It’s hard to help overweight Norwegian Forest Cat lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at a healthy size. Once you’ve gotten this info from his doctor, it’s time to schedule the Norwegian Forest Cat’s meals. Norwegian Forest Cats like to eat all day, so it’s just best to leave food out for them where it’s accessible all the time. You can also put out half for the morning and the other half for the evening for a little portion control. Don’t go overboard with snacks, either. The more treats they eat, the more they might stray from their core diet.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Norwegian Forest Cats
Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
Follow