Proper nutrition for Maine Coon. Probably every owner is concerned about the health of his cat. First of all, health depends on the nutrition and lifestyle of your Maine Coon. It would seem that difficult: feed well – and he will be healthy. However, “good” for a person and “good” for a cat are not always equivalent. There are many common stereotypes that are fundamentally wrong, and most of them are about nutrition. Often, the owners do not hesitate to give their cats such products, although they are harmful and absolutely not intended for the cat’s body.
By nature, cats are predators, so they get all the vitamins they need from completely eaten prey. We remind you that in the wild, cats feed mainly on small mammals like mice, so dishes such as sausages, sausages, sausages, potatoes and other delights from the master’s table are strictly forbidden to them. Milk is included in the same range of products. Why is that? Let’s figure it out!
Why milk is bad for cats
We think you have already guessed that milk should never be given to cats. Yes, kittens drink mother’s milk, but this is not cow’s milk at all, but the one that is necessary for their healthy growth and development. In cat’s mother’s milk, all the necessary vitamins and substances are balanced to maintain the health of a kitten, which cannot be said about cow’s milk.
Indeed, lactose is well absorbed in the body of kittens, but at an older age it is no longer. The thing is that a special enzyme is needed to break down milk, which, unfortunately, is present in a cat’s body in limited quantities. Therefore, even after a small portion of milk, this enzyme ends and the cat begins to have diarrhea.
Of course, not all cats are so sensitive to milk. If for some this product gives a serious laxative effect, then others perceive it quite calmly. But this does not mean that milk to a cat brings any benefit. On the contrary, it does not help a bit and even harms her body.
The main protein found in milk is a powerful allergen for cats. In addition, many cats are lactose intolerant. By the way, this means that they should not be given not only milk, but also dairy products, in particular cheese.
Another argument not in favor of milk is that store-bought milk is obtained from cows that have been injected with special antibiotics that are harmful to the cat’s body. Moreover, lactating cows are most often pregnant, and the milk contains a hormone that is not intended for cats. Milk made for sale must go through a pasteurization process to kill any disease-causing bacteria, as well as those that cause sourness. This changes the structure of proteins, as a result, such milk in cats can cause allergies.
What can replace milk in the Maine Coon diet?
Milk for kittens is the most important source of nutrition. Many owners, in the absence of cat’s mother’s milk, mistakenly start giving cow’s milk to kittens. Kittens need special vitamins for healthy growth and development. They, respectively, are contained only in cat’s milk or in special substitutes.
Mother cat’s milk, of course, cannot be completely replaced by formulas, but they are the best alternative available.
But if for kittens milk is not such a terrible product, then for adult cats it poses a serious danger. What can replace it?
Ideally, a cat should not eat anything that contains lactose, so there is no substitute for it as such. The ideal milk replacement for cats is plain water.
In other words, the best foods are those that a cat could get itself in the wild.
We do not recommend experimenting with the nutrition of cats and especially Maine Coon kittens. It is better to consult with specialists about nutrition and monitor the eating behavior of a mustachioed pet, because the health of a cat is completely in your hands!