Catlets Eat Adult Cat Food, Is It OK? Here's The Veterinary's Explanation

Illustration of cats eating adult cat food (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA There are many types of cat food but do you need to distinguish food for adult cats and cats? According to veterinarian Zara Boland, DVM., consider the nutritional level as cats need more complex nutrition than adult cats.

During the first six months of the baby's life, growth is very fast and requires complex nutrients to increase levels of protein, energy, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. That means, all young cats must eat foods that contain the formula needed during growth of at least 1 year old.

Giving cats adult food can be dangerous. Not because it is toxic, but because adult cat food does not contain the nutrients that cats need during growth. Launching Cats, Monday, November 18, the nutritional needs in cat food are related to the stages of anabul's life. These four stages include growth, adults, the elderly, and geriatrics.

Cats older or geriatric, still considered controversial for some circles. But the cat's growth phase, will stop at the age of about 10 to 12 months. During the first four weeks of cat's life, it should be able to get all the nutritional needs of its mother's milk. At about 4 weeks of age, screening begins and cats slowly have to be introduced to dense foods with more wet food than dry food. This is because the teeth of a cat cub during the first two months of their life are still difficult to eat dry food.

By the time young cats reach the age of 2 months, they must be completely weaned and eat only commercially prepared catries, either wet or dry or a combination of both. During the first 24 weeks of their life, cats experienced the fastest period of growth. Although they may seem to be fully growing by the time they reach the age of 6 months, cats are still developing in their organs.

In fact, weight gain in the first year of the life of young cats, about 40 to 50 times their body weight at birth. This is why it is so important to give nutritious food until all growth stops. A balanced diet of cats usually contains proteins from different sources.

Cats include obligate carnivorous animals, so they have unique protein needs. It is even needed for growing young cats. Protein, for cats, is important for the formation of muscles, skin, fur, nails, and internal organs. In addition, protein is needed for all processes of growth, repair, and cell regeneration. In addition, protein also forms the basic structure of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies needed for a healthy immune system.

In food, cats must get at least 30 percent protein from all the food they eat. Unlike adult cats, which require 25 to 26 percent protein from all the food. So keep in mind, adult cat food does not meet the nutritional needs of young cats during their growth.

Other main nutrients needed are fats to meet their energy needs. Fats contain 2.5 times more energy than protein or carbohydrates and young cats that grow rapidly require a much higher energy level than adult cats to encourage all these growths. Not to mention the need for omega 3 and DHA fatty acids for optimal brain and retinal functions. In addition, vitamin A as well as other formulas that must be ensured to provide biological and digested needs for cats.

If you adopt a cat calf, it is important to see the composition of cat foods listed in the packaging. Make sure it contains protein with essential fatty acids such as salmon, sheep, or chicken.