Birmans are predators. Keep that in mind when pondering what you should feed the Birman. That may be the reason the Birman rejects the meals you prepare for her. You will have trouble getting the Birman to eat if you’re giving him non-meat based foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, nuts, seeds, etc.
What should Birmans eat?
Always remember Birmans share much of their dna with the fiercest of cats — cougars, lions and tigers — so keep that in mind while feeding the Birman. Never will you see a mature cheetah on Animal Planet eating an apple, chewing grass, or drinking milk in his natural habitat. You also would never observe a young jaguar cub in the wild drinking the milk of a cow, or any other animal that wasn’t the mother. As preposterous as these examples appear, that’s how many people feed their Birmans. So you shouldn’t act surprised when your Birman goes hungry. Birmans are unlike us and unlike dogs. As it relates to nutrition, they rarely stray, and you must be aware of this. Birmans eat almost entirely fats and proteins in contrast to to omnivores like humans who also eat vegetables and fruits. If we ate like Birmans, we’d have serious health issues at a young age. Birmans are not at all the same as humans and they are not like miniature dogs. Quite often, you’ll find families who feed their Birmans just like they feed themselves and the dog, even though the Birmans diet is much more specific. Given that dog food is predominantly carbohydrates, a dog’s diet can be deadly to your Birman if fed continuously. Birmans should not eat carbs because they can’t process them. Birmans get severe weight problems from carbohydrates, which can lead to diabetes. The long and short of it is that Birmans must avoid carbohydrates at all cost.
tips for taking care of Birman kittens
Satisfying Your Birman’s Taste Buds
Be certain any food you purchase for your Birman satisifies the requirements defined by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Satisfying these minimum requirements guarantees that your Birman is receiving the right nutrition. Pay no attention to marketing “hype” terms like “super-premium”, ” gourmet”, ” premium”, and “natural”, as there is no guideline that defines them. Ask the vet what food (wet or dry) is best for your Birman. Once you have made your choice, let your Birman do a taste test. If your Birman enjoys the food and doesn’t have any gastrointestinal issues (such as flatulence) later on, you’ve nailed it. On the other hand, if the Birman doesn’t like the food, you need to be ready to provide options. Birmans will sometimes prefer to go on hunger strikes as opposed to eat food they don’t like, and these strikes can be dangerous. If he decides to a hunger strike, your Birman runs a high risk of death or liver failure at the least. If you ever need to swap foods, introduce a different type of food a little at a time, in small quantities over about a week. This helps prevent the Birman from rejecting the new food outright and lessens the risk of upsetting your kitty’s stomach.
Snacks, Portion Size, and Feeding Time for Birmans
How much food do you need to feed the Birman? There are many factors that determine that answer. For example, is your Birman a house cat or a yard cat or hybrid? Has your Birman been sterilized? Answers to both of these questions determine your Birman’s dietary requirements. Your best bet is to consult your veterinarian, who will figure out your Birmans ideal weight and daily calorie requirement. Take initiative about asking your doctor about your Birman’s weight and food. Once you find out how much food your Birman needs, don’t deviate. Although it seems like it’s not enough, your Birman will get used to it and stay at her healthy weight. It’s difficult to help overweight Birman lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at its proper size. Once you’ve gotten this info from his doctor, it’s time to plan the Birman’s meals. Birmans enjoy small meals or snacks throughout the day, so plan to leave bowls out so she can come and graze when hunger strikes. 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 treats, either. The more treats they get, the less room they’ll have for their real nutritional requirements.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Birmans
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