A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Kitten : Complete growth food, divided into several small meals.
Adult : Controlled ration, adapted to sterilization and indoor living.
Senior : Highly digestible food, while monitoring kidneys, teeth and appetite.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
High-quality kibble or a balanced wet diet, or even a combination of both, are well suited to the Siberian as long as the recipe emphasizes animal proteins and remains adapted to its body condition. Changes of food must always take into account its digestion and its energy expenditure.
Amounts
How much should you give?
Quantities vary depending on weight, activity, neutering/spaying, and the energy density of the food. It is preferable to adjust the ration with the help of the veterinarian or according to the manufacturer's recommendations, then to correct it based on changes in weight and body condition.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 6 kg | 70 - 100 g | 2 |
| 6 - 8 kg | 94 - 132 g | 2 |
| 8 - 10 kg | 118 - 164 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary transition must be gradual over several days in order to limit digestive upsets. Mixing the old and the new food while gently increasing the proportion of the latter remains the safest method.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times. Many cats drink more when they have several water points or a fountain, which can be useful to support good hydration.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats should remain occasional and counted in the total intake for the day. They are useful for positive reinforcement, but excess quickly promotes weight gain in a cat living mostly indoors.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weigh the ration to avoid indoor overweight.
- Offer water in several places, possibly a fountain.
- Include treats in the day’s total calorie intake.
Never give
Chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, alcohol, coffee, tea, cooked bones, very salty foods and certain sweeteners such as xylitol should be avoided because they can cause digestive, neurological, blood or kidney disorders that are sometimes serious in cats.
