What do Australian mist cats eat?

Answer 1

Firstly, a word of warning, changing diet and (and water source if sold out of area) may lead to a few days mild diarrhoea while your kitten settles into the new diet and/or water. If this happens put the kitten on something bland such as a canned food especially for kittens with the addition of a half-spoonful of bland, plain, live-culture yogurt for a couple of days and then introduce it to your preferred diet gradually.

Your kitten eats a mixed meal, either twice a day or, if your circumstances permit, you may give smaller meals three times a day. However, at about six months of age you should reduce the kitten to two substantial meals - twice a day. Combine a selection from a good commercial raw pet food or a fatty minced beef (hamburger mince from a good supermarket), any good quality tinned fish and a few dry biscuits. On occasion you may add in a, raw egg yoke, some grated cheese or plain yogurt to give both variety and a complete diet. Garnish with a bit of roast lamb, cooked chicken (without bones), raw steak, heart or liver to chew. DO NOT give cooked meat containing small bones such as chicken and be aware that too much grated cheese may cause constipation. When the kitten has grown sufficiently the fatty minced beef can be replaced or supplemented with fatty gravy beef. Keep the chunks big enough to give the kitten/cat plenty of exercise in chewing.

If you give lean meat or give a completely fish meal add a teaspoon of Canola Oil to supply the fat needed in the kitten's (or cat's) diet as this assists the gut to use the rest of the food more efficiently.

Amongst "complete" dry foods currently available Supercoat, Whiskas Advantage, Royal Canin, Purina, Nutrience, IAMS and Hills Science Diet amongst others are also acceptable "complete" dry foods. Dry foods should not be the sole diet of any cat, particularly males/desexed males, where it can contribute to potentially fatal blockages of the urinary tract. When using dry food make sure the kitten/cat has plenty of fresh water, daily. Now days there are a number of dried foods which are designed to keep urinary tract infections at bay, none have proved to be particularly effective so please keep giving your pet a varied diet and plenty of water. Never use adult dry food for kittens as the harder biscuits can break the softer "kitten teeth".

To maintain oral hygiene give the kitten part of a RAW pork or beef spare rib or RAW chicken wing every few days. Never feed a cat on dog food as a SOLE diet as it contains no taurine and lack of taurine can cause severe heart problems in cats. There are also specific biscuits (i.e. Hills Science Diet TR) which can be used to clean teeth but do not use until the kitten is at least 9 months old.

Additional calcium to promote good boning must be provided in the first 6-9 months. Human vitamins are not suitable and may unbalance the kitten's vitamin and mineral intake. Check with your vet before you give any supplements.

Milk is something which is a personal preference of the kitten or litter. Never use milk for humans -- use the special milks for cats as these have reduced lactose content. Some kittens love milk, some react to it with mild diarrhoea. Cats actually prefer water and unless you have a specific need to include milk in your kitten's diet, don't give it. I would suggest that you give your kitten a little bit and then increase it if it appears to tolerate it. Cheese and/or cream is a better substitute for milk if you wish to include dairy products but sparingly as cream is very rich, especially for a small tummy and excessive cheese can cause the kitten to bind.

Don't leave food around after the kitten has eaten. If you ever need to diet your cat do so by reducing the amount of meat and biscuits that it eats per day and cut out ALL snacks.

Move your kitten onto your preferred diet slowly - diarrhoea can be life threatening to a small kitten. Fresh water must always be available. The diet above can be wasteful to purchase, prepare and keep fresh if you only have one kitten. Purchase enough quantity for a weeks diet, split it into your daily requirement and freeze the prepared meals. With any fresh meat it is always better to freeze it first (as freezing kills some bugs) before giving it to a kitten.

Remember as your kitten grows to adulthood supply him/her with food which will encourage chewing and teeth cleaning.