American Curls eat meat and meat only. Never forget that when you’re trying to decide what food you should serve to the American Curl. That may be the reason the American Curl 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 American Curl to eat.
How to feed your American Curl?
You must always keep in mind American Curls share a recent common ancestor with the fiercest of cats — lions, tigers,and cougars, etc. — so take that to heart while feeding your American Curl. Never will you see a full grown leopard on National Geographic drinking milk, eating an apple, or chewing grass in nature. Nor would you see a young panther cub in nature drinking the milk of a cow, or any other animal that wasn’t the mother. As preposterous as these examples sound, that’s how many owners feed their American Curls. So you shouldn’t act surprised if your American Curl goes on a hunger strike. American Curls are unlike us and not like dogs. As far as their diet is concerned, they are very inflexible, and owners must always keep this in mind. In contrast to how some other mammals eat, American Curls need to eat a lot of meat for protein and fat. If we ate like American Curls, we’d develop heart disease by age 20. They are not at all the same as people and they are not miniature dogs. Many times, you’ll find owners who feed their American Curls the same way they feed themselves and their dog, although the American Curls diet is much more limited. Because dog food is mainly carbohydrates, a dog’s diet can be fatal to your American Curl if fed consistently. American Curls are not meant to eat carbs because they can’t process them well. Often, when you see an overweight domestic American Curl it’s because she was fed a diet heavy in carbohydrates. This also puts your American Curl at risk of diabetes. The long and short of it is that American Curls must avoid carbohydrates at all cost.
care tips for American Curl kitten owners
Satisfying Your American Curl’s Taste Buds
When you’re choosing food for your American Curl, check that the label says it meets the standards defined by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Satisfying the minimum requirements guarantees that the American Curl is receiving the required food. You can pay no attention to terms such as “super-premium”, ” gourmet”, ” natural”, and “premium” which have no set definition. You can always ask your veterinarian which food he recommends as well. After you’ve decided, give your American Curl a taste test. If the American Curl eats it with no issues and seems to enjoy it, it is a fine choice. On the other hand, if the American Curl doesn’t tolerate the food, you need to be ready to offer a different food. If the American Curl does not tolerate the food you have given him, a harmful hunger strike is possilbe. If she ever decides to a hunger strike, your American Curl runs an extreme risk of liver failure or death. If you ever decide to swap from one food to another, introduce the new food a little bit at a time, in small amounts over about a week. This prevents the American Curl from rejecting the new food outright and lessens the risk of upsetting your kitty’s stomach.
Portion Size, Feeding Time, and Snacks for American Curls
Just how much food will your American Curl need? The answer may enlighten you. For instance, is the American Curl a house cat or a yard cat or hybrid? Has your American Curl been sterilized? Both determine your American Curl’s nutritional requirements. Your best bet is to get a recommendation from your doctor, who will determine your American Curl’s ideal weight and daily calorie count. Once you figure out how much your American Curl needs, stick to the plan. Although it seems like it’s not enough, your American Curl will get used to it and remain at a ideal weight. It’s hard to help overweight American Curl lose weight, so it’s best to keep yours at its proper size. The next step is to plan your American Curl’s meals. American Curls 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 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. The more snacks they get, the more they will stray from their core nutrition.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about American Curls
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