Sterilization is done for many different reasons. Although cat owners have neutering because they want to end the aggressive behavior of cats during the estrus period, sterilization is done for many different reasons. Neutering is a positive procedure in terms of preventing uterine cancer in female cats and testicular cancer in male cats.
In female cats, the ovaries and uterus are removed, and in male cats, only the testicles are removed. Neutering in female cats is a more difficult and lengthy process than neutering in male cats. While the sterilization process takes almost the same length for both sexes, the recovery time of female cats takes longer than male cats. Cats after neutering need special care, especially during the recovery period after surgery. After the neutering process, the diet of cats also changes.
The nutritional needs of neutered cats differ considerably from those of unneutered cats. A decrease in metabolic rate is observed in neutered cats. This decrease in metabolism is related to the decline of sex hormones after sterilization. In neutered cats, their energy requirements are reduced by 30 percent. Therefore, because neutered cats expend little energy, they are more prone to weight gain than non-neutered cats if their diet is not properly regulated.
Nutrition in Neutered Cats
The nutritional needs of neutered cats are quite different from those of unneutered cats. While there is no change in the nutrient needs of neutered cats, the amount of calories the cat will take if it continues its normal diet will be above its needs. This causes overweight gain in neutered cats. Therefore, special foods produced for neutered cats should be preferred. Neutering is known to prevent many health problems in cats. However, it also opens the door to a health problem that is most common in neutered cats.
The most common health problem in infertile cats is the formation of stones in the urinary tract. Infertile cat foods are very low-calorie foods that meet the daily nutritional needs of cats. Infertile cat foods also prevent the formation of stones in the urinary tract as they contain low phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Phosphorus, magnesium and calcium are minerals that trigger stone formation. It is very low in phosphorus, magnesium and calcium in infertile cat foods. Since infertile cats have a high nutritional need, infertile cat foods contain a lot of protein. Infertile cat foods also have highly digestible content.
The Food Needs of Neutered Cats
Nutrition in neutered cats is an issue that deserves special attention. While the nutrient needs of infertile cats do not change, their energy requirements are less. This indicates that infertile cats are more likely to gain weight than non-infertile cats. Infertile cats should therefore have different food from non-infertile cats. Minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and calcium are found in the food of infertile cats in the least amount to meet the full requirement.
Extra minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and calcium taken in infertile cats can cause accumulation in the urinary tract and cause stone formation. The protein requirement in infertile cats is considerably less than in non-infertile cats. The daily amount of protein is met in infertile cat foods. Infertile cat foods contain less fat than non-infertile cat foods. Infertile cats have less energy requirements, so excess fat in their diet accumulates in the body, causing them to gain weight. If infertile cats are fed in the form of meals, three meals a day should be made. Although each cat’s nutritional needs differ, you can monitor how much your cat eats by observing it from the food bowl. In this regard, especially on the back of the packaging of commercial dry food, the recommended amounts to be consumed daily regarding the product will guide in terms of information. It is possible to provide a healthy diet in neutered cats with sterilized cat food. It is possible to meet all of the daily nutritional needs of infertile cats with infertile cat food.
Nutritional Values to Consider in Neutered Cats
The nutritional needs of infertile cats differ from those of unneutered cats. Every cat’s nutritional needs are different. Infertile cats need less fat than other cats. Feeding infertile cats with infertile cat food, which is very low in calories, can prevent excess weight gain. Problems may occur with the feeding of the infertile cat.
Although the nutrient needs of your cat vary depending on whether it is active or not, in general, the nutritional needs of infertile cats are as follows;
- Protein; It is the most important nutritional need of every living thing. Although the need for protein differs in active and sedentary cats, all of the daily protein needs should be met by the diet consumed. The level and quality of protein in the diet to be given to neutered cats should be provided from animal sources and with the characteristics that fully meet the needs.
- Minerals; Magnesium, phosphorus and calcium minerals found in cat foods are rarely used in neutered cat foods. Less use of these minerals prevents the formation of stones in the urinary tract in infertile cats.
- Oil; While an increase in food needs is observed in infertile cats, a decrease in daily energy consumption is observed, in this case, weight gain is quite common in infertile cats. Fat consumption in infertile cats should be at least less than fat consumption in non-infertile cats. The reduction in this fat consumption is controlled by infertile cat foods.
Choosing Food for Neutered Cats
Eating habits vary in neutered cats. Proper nutrition for neutered cats should be determined according to the nutritional needs of the cats. Infertile cats need a lot of food and spend very little energy, which is why infertile cats are prone to weight gain. When choosing food for infertile cats, attention should be paid to the nutritional values contained in the food.
Although almost the same nutritional values are used in every infertile cat food, it is the mineral content that makes the most difference. It is in the fat ratio in non-infertile cat foods. In infertile cat foods, this fat ratio has been reduced by half. Reducing the fat ratio by half is very important for weight control of infertile cats.
The most important issue in the selection of food in infertile cats is that the food should contain minerals. Minerals are very healthy and important nutritional values. However, excessive intake of these minerals causes stone formation in the urinary tract, especially in infertile cats. Stones in the urinary tract are a very common disease in infertile cats. In order to prevent this disease, the use of infertile cat food is a very effective method of preventing this disease. Infertile cat foods contain less phosphorus, calcium and magnesium than non-infertile cat foods.
Excessive intake of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium minerals cause stone formation. Therefore, infertile cat food should be preferred for infertile cats. Infertile cat foods are produced according to the nutritional needs of infertile cats. Nutrition in infertile cats is an important issue that needs to be paid attention to. In order for your cat’s health and weight problems, infertile cats should be fed with infertile cat food.
Why Is Neutered Cat Food Important?
It is necessary to pay attention to certain points when choosing food for a neutered cat. The diet of neutered cats is not a normal diet. Since there is a change in their metabolism, their diet must also respond correctly to the needs of the body. Therefore, with the advice of the veterinarian, you should take care to choose the right food for your neutered cat.