Nutrition of the American Shorthair Cat: foods, quantity and frequency


Nutrition of the American Shorthair, how to keep this esteemed breed of cat in shape with adequate nutrition.

When you decide to adopt a cat very often the mistake is made of considering the feeding of these animals very similar for all of them.

However, each breed has different characteristics which can lead to equally different needs.

Therefore, if you want to take care of the animal and guarantee the cat a healthy and long life, it will be necessary to inquire about the breed that you have chosen to adopt and what its particular needs.

In today’s article we are going to see specifically, the feeding of the American Shorthair, the frequency of meals and the quantities necessary for the daily requirement of this cat breed.


What to feed the American Shorhair

Before determining how much food to feed your American Shorthair, it is necessary to understand which foods your cat can benefit from.

The American Shorthair is a cat that loves to eat, which is why it is advisable to be careful about what is offered and in particular what is offered.

Its diet includes mainly proteins of animal origin and partly also vegetable proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

Experts on this breed recommend dry cat food available on the market. Since it is a complete and balanced product.

Alternatively, it is possible to personally take care of the cat’s meals but making sure to provide the cat with a meal containing the following nutritional values:

  • proteins for cats: animal proteins are basic as they are useful for the formation and maintenance of muscles, other tissues, blood but also for the regeneration and conservation of body cells and tissues.
  • fats: they are a source of necessary energy and are mainly responsible for the transport of substances in the body as well as for the support and development of the joints and the nervous system;
  • carbohydrates: they are an immediate source of energy to face a sudden effort such as a run, a chase, an escape, a sudden stress etc.
  • minerals: they are essential for the development and maintenance of tissues. They consist of: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and chlorine (their deficiency can cause organic dysfunctions) and those that must be in small doses are: manganese, iron, copper, zinc, iodine and selenium (the excess of some can lead to intoxication with even lethal consequences);
  • vitamins: they are useful for keeping the immune system strong and healthy. For example, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc and selenium, vitamins E, C, D, and K. However, it is necessary to use them appropriately, perhaps by contacting the veterinarian.

Nutrient deficiency greatly affects healthy joint development, or overeating could lead to cat overweight. Therefore in order:

  • animal proteins make up the bulk of the diet (for adult animals – at least 26%, for kittens – at least 30%);
  • the amount of fat in the feed does not exceed 10%.

Where the cat owner wants to take care of it personally and offer the cat a diet based on fresh food, he can use the following foods:

  • lean meat (chicken, turkey, beef);
  • fish (salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel);
  • offal (liver, lungs, heart, stomach, etc.);
  • fermented milk products, probiotics;
  • fresh fruit and vegetables;
  • vitamin and mineral supplements (including fatty acids that have a beneficial effect on the skin).

Certainly with the use of these raw materials it will be possible to carry out wonderful and tasty recipes for cats.


Nutrition of the American Shorthair: doses and frequency of meals

Many are those who think that abounding with food can satisfy and above all make their cat happy.

However, there are breeds such as the American Shorthair that have a tendency to accumulate weight.

Others, on the other hand, think that the diet of cats is the same for everyone regardless of the breed.

This is partly true because basic foods are similar for everyone, but precisely because each breed has its own needs, a differentiation must be made regarding the doses and frequency of meals.

The American Shorthair is a robust and muscular cat but also agile and agile for which the doses and the frequency of feeding cannot be similar to other breeds.

In general, however, this depends on a series of very specific factors:

  • lifestyle (lazy / athletic );
  • health conditions of the cat;
  • age (young / old);
  • gender (male / female).

In the case of the American Shorthair, as we mentioned earlier, to prevent it from gaining weight, experts recommend administering between 100 and 200 mg of food per day.

Split into two meals a day (morning and evening). Where the cat’s requests for other food become insistent, you can try to divide its two meals into small portions, to be administered throughout the day.


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