Food for young cats: an immune system boost
Fortunately, there are many different types of food available on the market to suit each cat’s stage of life. In this post we shall discuss the ideal qualities of food for young cats.
The kitten’s nutritional needs
At first, kittens only receive their mother’s milk. Their defences are low because they have only acquired immunity through their mother’s placenta during pregnancy, coupled with the antibodies she provides in her colostrum.
The start eating dry foods after weaning. Bear in mind that food for young cats must have more protein and energy than food for adult cats.
In terms of energy expenditure, an 8-week-old kitten needs 200 kcal/kg/day compared to the 90 kcal/kg/day required by adult cats.
Kittens also need proteins to ensure the correct development of their entire bodies, as they cannot grow without them.
Some tips on feeding kittens
- As soon as you get your kitten home, continue giving it the same food it has been eating since weaning.
- Any changes in diet should be made gradually. At first, you can mix the two foods, while gradually reducing the ratio of the old food compared to the new one over the course of a week.
- Cats eat between 15 and 20 times a day. You can leave food out for the whole day.
- Avoid feeding them your own food if they beg at the table. Cats have different nutritional needs from humans.
- They love liver; however, be very careful not to give them too much because it is rich in vitamin A, amongst others, which can induce diseases in cats.
- Cat snacks can be used as training rewards, but always in moderation because they are not nutritional complete foods.
Boost the immune system with food for young cats
As we already mentioned the kitten’s immune system is still very immature. The formulas in the Advance range contain immunoglobulins and nucleotides which help the immune system mature more quickly, while also maintaining intestinal health.
They also contain various antioxidants that inhibit oxidation processes and delay cell ageing.
Other benefits of these diets include:
- Optimal growth: thanks to the high content of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, which provides the energy necessary for the kitten’s development.
- Vision and brain development: the omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the development of the central nervous system, optimising vision and the learning process.
- Bone development: kitten’s must eat food with a suitable calcium:phosphorus ratio for correct bone development.
- Intestinal health: Using chicken and rice as the main ingredients makes the food easier to digest. It also contains fibre with a prebiotic effect.
