According to the latest statistics, 80% of cats are sterilised. Although sterilisation (castration) solves many of the pet's health and behavioural problems, most pet owners still do not know how to take care of the sterilised cat properly.
Risk of obesity
After sterilisation (castration), cat's metabolism slows down, physical activity decreases, and because of that, the body fat begins to accumulate, usually in the abdominal area. As the hormonal balance is altered, appetite increases, the pet starts eating more. Some pet owners are not able to resist the cat gazing lovingly into their eyes, and start increasing the sterilised pet's feed amounts.
Sterilised cats are 3.5 times more likely to become obese in comparison to un-sterilised. Research has shown that in just 3 days after sterilization, cats become more likely to eat more than usual. It is more difficult for them to feel satiety, and their physical activity is reduced by as much as 52%. Therefore, it is very important to choose a special feed for sterilised cats and to offer the cat only a certain amount of feed.
Risk for developing urinary tract stones
Sterilisation increases the risk for urinary tract stones. As sterilised cats move less, and need less water, they also urinate less, and their urine stays longer in the bladder. This can lead to struvite urinary stones.
To prevent the urinary tract stones, you should pay attention to magnesium content in the feed, and choose the special feed for sterilised pets with lower than usual magnesium. Magnesium is a major ingredient in struvite stones so it is important to ensure that the pet receives only a minimum dose of magnesium with the feed.
What feed should I choose?
After sterilisation, the cat needs a special feed with lower fat content. Such feed has a lower energy value, and it will be easier to control the weight of the pet. Larger fibre content will ensure a sense of satiety.
If you choose the type of feed like “Sterilised” for a sterilised cat, it is recommended to pay attention to the main protein source. In this case, it is best to choose lean meat, such as poultry, white fish. It is also important that the feed contains L-carnitine which accelerates metabolic processes and helps to convert fat into energy by burning it.
If you choose the feed with coconut oil, it will be even easier to maintain the optimal weight of the cat. This valuable product is made up of the medium-chain fatty acids that do not accumulate and are converted into energy, which suppresses accumulation of the body fat.
Proper feed for sterilised cats will help prevent unnecessary worries and stress in such a sensitive period of your pet's life.
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