Bengals, like other felines, eat meat. Never forget that when you’re trying to decide which food your Bengal should eat. If you don’t stick to this, your Bengal will seem like a picky eater. If you’re giving your her food that is not meat or formulated from meat products, you can have trouble getting your Bengal to eat.
Feeding the Bengal.
You must always remember Bengals are closely related to the largest of felines — cheetahs, tigers and lions — so keep that in mind when feeding the Bengal. You won’t ever see a full grown cheetah on Animal Planet chewing grass, drinking milk, or eating an apple in his natural habitat. Nor would you observe a jaguar cub in the wild drinking the milk of a cow, or any other animal. As absurd as these examples are, that’s exactly how many owners feed their Bengals. So you should not act surprised when your Bengal goes on a hunger strike. Bengals are unlike us and unlike dogs. When it comes to nutrition, they rarely mix it up, and as an owner you must be aware of this. Bengals consume almost entirely proteins and fats in contrast to to omnivores like humans who also eat fruits and vegetables. If we ate like Bengals, we’d have heart disease by age 20. They are not at all like humans and they are not little dogs. Quite often, you’ll find owners who feed their Bengals the same way they feed themselves and their dog, although the Bengals diet is much more restrictive. Because dog food is so full of carbohydrates, a dog’s diet can actually be fatal to your Bengal if fed for a long period of time. Bengals are not meant to eat carbs because they can’t process them. Bengals get extreme obesity problems by eating carbs, which can eventually lead to diabetes. The long and short of it is that Bengals must avoid carbohydrates at all cost.
basic Bengal kitten care tips
Satisfying Your Bengal’s Appetite
Before you decide on a specific food for the Bengal be certain it is approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Meeting their minimum requirements guarantees that the Bengal is getting the proper food. Pay no attention to marketing “hype” terms like “gourmet”, ” natural”, ” super-premium”, and “premium”, as there is no standard that defines them. Ask the veterinarian what type of food (wet or dry) they recommend for the Bengal. Once you have decided, let your Bengal do a taste test. If your Bengal likes the food and does not show any gastrointestinal upsets (such as stomach pain) later, you’ve made a good choice. However, if the Bengal doesn’t tolerate the food, you need to be ready to offer other choices. If your Bengal doesn’t enjoy the food you have given him, a dangerous hunger strike is possilbe. If she ever decides to stop eating, your Bengal runs a high risk of death or liver failure at the least. If you do need to switch foods, bring in the new food little by little, in small amounts over about a week. This makes it easier for your Bengal to accept and reduces the chances of somach discomfort.
Portion Size, Snacks, and Feeding Time for Bengals
How much food should you feed the Bengal? Well that depends on some elements you might not expect. As an example, is the Bengal a house cat or a yard cat or both? Has your Bengal been neutered or spayed? Answers to both of these questions determine your Bengal’s dietary requirements. The solution is to seek advice from the doctor, who will determine your Bengal’s ideal weight and daily nutritional requirements. Take charge and ask your vet about your Bengal’s food and weight. Once you figure out how much food your Bengal needs, don’t deviate. It may seem like it’s not enough, but it will keep your Bengal at his ideal weight. It’s difficult to help an obese Bengal lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at a healthy size. Next, plan your Bengal’s meals. Bengals like to eat all throughout the day, so it’s just best to leave food 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. Although you might like to give your Bengal snacks, do so infrequently. Don’t let treats dilute their nutrition. Just like with people, too much salt is a bad thing.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Bengals
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