Napoleons are natural predators. Please remember that when contemplating which food your Napoleon should eat. That may explain why your Napoleon rejects the food you prepare for him. By giving him non-meat based foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, nuts, seeds, etc., you will have difficulty getting your new Napoleon to eat.
What do Napoleons eat?
You must not forget that Napoleons share much of their dna with the largest of cats — cougars, tigers and lions — so keep that in mind as you’re feeding the Napoleon. You will not witness an adult puma on National Geographic eating an apple, chewing grass, or drinking milk in his natural habitat. Nor would you see a lion cub in the wild drinking milk from a cow, or any other animal. As preposterous as these examples are, that’s how many owners feed their Napoleons. So you shouldn’t be surprised if your Napoleon goes without eating. Napoleons are different from us and different from dogs. As it pertains to nutrition, they are very inflexible, and as an owner you must be aware of this. Napoleons consume almost entirely proteins and fats as opposed to omnivores like humans who also eat fruits and vegetables. If we ate like Napoleons, we’d develop serious health issues at a young age. Napoleons are not at all the same as humans and they are not miniature dogs. Unfortunately, it’s common for owners to feed their Napoleons the same way they treat dogs, who can eat a variety of foods and stay healthy. In fact, dog food is fatal to Napoleons over time because it does not meet their nutritional requirements and it’s usually too high in carbs, which Napoleons can’t process healthily. Many times, when you see an extremely heavy domestic Napoleon it’s because she was forced to eat a diet heavy in carbohydrates. Too many carbs over an extended period also puts them at risk of diabetes. The Napoleon’s system is not designed for carbs. They are to be avoided.
tips and tricks you should know when caring for your young Napoleon
Satiating Your Napoleon’s Taste Buds
When choosing food for your Napoleon, check that the label says it meets the guidelines defined by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Meeting these minimum requirements guarantees that the Napoleon is getting the proper food. Pay no attention to marketing “hype” terms like “premium”, ” natural”, ” super-premium”, and “gourmet”, as there is no standard that defines them. Always feel free to ask your vet what food she recommends as well. Once you have picked the optimum food, it’s now time to let your Napoleon make the final decision. If your Napoleon enjoys the food and doesn’t show any gastrointestinal issues (such as flatulence) afterward, you’ve got a keeper. If your Napoleon does not seem to like it, on the other hand, you should go back to square 1. If the Napoleon does not tolerate the food you have fed him, a dangerous hunger strike is possilbe. If she ever decides to stop eating, your Napoleon runs an extreme risk of liver failure and death. Don’t swap foods abruptly, either. Make sure you replace the old food a little bit at a time in small amounts over the course of about a week. This makes it easier for your Napoleon to accept and reduces the chances of somach discomfort.
Portion Size, Feeding Time, and Snacks for Napoleons
How much do you need to feed your Napoleon? It depends on some factors you might not expect. For example, is the Napoleon a house cat or a yard cat or hybrid? Has your Napoleon been sterilized? These both play a huge role in nutritional requirements. The solution is to request a recommendation from your vet, who will help you establish your Napoleon’s best weight and daily dietary requirements. Once you learn how much food your Napoleon needs, stick to the plan. It may seem like it’s not enough, but it will keep your Napoleon at his ideal weight. It’s difficult to help overweight Napoleon lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at its ideal size. Next, set up the Napoleon’s meals. Napoleons like to eat small meals or snacks during the day, so plan to leave meals out so she can come and graze whenever hunger strikes. You can put out half in the am before leaving for work and the other half in the evening. Keep snacks to a minimum. The more snacks they get, the more they might stray from their core nutrition.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Napoleons
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