Good Nutrition is Key to Your Kitten’s Health

Your freshly minted kitten Lucy will be quite a handful. Yesterday, you adopted this seven-week-old calico cat from your city’s animal shelter. She immediately explored every corner of the house at breakneck speed, racing through each room like a tiny whirlwind. For variety, she tormented her cat toys and chased her tiny tail. Crazy little Lucy requires high-quality kitten food that supplies plenty of energy and supports her body’s rapid weight gain. Fortunately, she’ll visit your Columbia, MD veterinarian today. He’ll give her a complete new patient exam and prescribe a diet that should help her thrive.

Power-Packed Kitten Kibbles

Some of Lucy’s nutritional needs match those of your three-year-old cat Trixie. Both felines require the same portions of fats, some fatty acids, and certain vitamins. However, your fast-growing kitten also needs extra protein; plus amino acids and additional vitamins and minerals. Ideally, she should obtain 30 percent of her energy from top-notch proteins. Your vet will recommend a specially blended food that will nourish your growing cat until she fully matures. Although she might pester you for cat treats, limit these tasty snacks to 5 percent of her daily calories. The treats have questionable nutritional value, and you don’t want her to gorge herself and ignore those all-important meals.

Several Daily Feedings

Trixie and Lucy will also differ in their feeding schedules. Your energetic adult cat crunches two daily scheduled meals, giving her plenty of energy for playtime sessions. Her nutritionally balanced diet also provides her with the “oomph” to chase your Labrador retriever through the house. In contrast, your super-active kitten lives her life at supersonic speed. She’s frequently in motion; and she only takes occasional breaks to eat, drink, pee, or poop. Every so often, she recharges her batteries with a brief nap. To maintain this demanding pace, her body requires three or four meals daily.

Abundant Clean Water

Along with her tasty, high-powered diet, Lucy needs unlimited fresh water daily. Top off her bowl throughout the day. This enables her to avoid dehydration, which can contribute to other medical problems. As Lucy grows into a healthy adult cat, your Columbia, MD veterinarian will give her regular physical checkups and handle emerging medical issues. He’ll also revise her diet to meet her changing nutritional needs. To provide your kitten with excellent care, contact us for an appointment.