What To Feed A New Kitty

[smurfchops]

Thinking of buying a new kitten cat, after having two cats which I would describe as possibly semi feral ( couldn't trust them not to bite or scratch people) i really need to know the nature of the new addition. Perhaps a girl would be more gentle? I would love a quiet, non mouse catching non scratching little lap cat so thought perhaps with a slightly older kitty I could see its nature. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Also very important. I fed both my cats Felix tins and pouches which they loved. But one cat had diabetes, the other had hyperthyroidism before they died. I am seriously thinking of giving them a healthier diet than buying cat food at supermarket. But what food does a cat need to stay healthy, vet told me fish is bad for cats ... So raw or cooked red meat? Chicken? Anything else? Apparently they need bone in some form. Any menus out there?And if kitty only eats meat prepared by me, what happens when she goes to cattery, would it hurt to eat Felix for a couple of weeks? I may be slightly paranoid here but would appreciate your views.

[Brinjal]

Cat foods are generally balanced and have all the nutrients and vitamins that they need so I can't see the harm in giving it Felix or some other brand.

[ganesh]

Awww... my advice would be to feed kitten food, then go on to dry crunchy food in the morning and a tin or pouch in the evening. You will get to know which they like best and which flavours. I don't believe there is anything wrong with shop-bought food for cats. My last cat lived to 19 and was very healthy throughout life. Apparently the lady who had that 28yr old cat )on tv last week) said she gave him a raw egg each day, but I have no idea if that was the reason for his longevity. Good luck.

[boxtops]

Hi smurf - what a lovely idea!

You are absolutely fine to feed a kitten food from the supermarkets. The tinned and sachet food is specially prepared to contain not only meat and fish, but all the vitamins and nutrients a cat needs - which you won't get if you only prepare meat yourself for the cat. I don't know what your vet is thinking of re the fish comment - food containing fish wouldn't be on sale if it were bad for cats, mine love it.

It's not the pet food, please be assured, which gave your old cats the diabetes or hyperthyroidism. I now have a cat on kidney medication - he eats perfectly normal good quality commercial cat food. Cat Biscuits too (good quality, such as Hills or Royal Canin) are excellent for their teeth.

You say "I would love a quiet, non mouse catching non scratching little lap cat" - but that's a bit of a pipe dream, I'm afraid. You can't make them like that. I have three lapcats who are very lovely, but all of them will hunt when they think we need a present.

To go back to your OP - buy good quality kitten food from the shops, and kitty will be fine. To do anything else, you risk bringing up a faddy fussy cat who's not getting all the nutrients they need.

Re kitty's sex - I prefer boys, I find them more loving, over the years I've had six boys and two girls - I found the boys easier to manage (and cheaper to neuter, too!).

[ganesh]

Had lost of cats- my boy cats have always seemed more friendly and purry and wanting more cuddles and lazier , and the females seemed more intelligent (of course-lol) but better at hunting and bringing back little animals, dead or alive! I know- huge generalisation, they are all different characters and all lovely!

[Fitzer]

Kittens need to be used to being handled by humans before they are seven weeks old to develop 'sociable' natures, see here http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/socializing-your-kitten so check with wherever you get your kitten that this has been done.
As per the others, quality cat food such as Felix is designed to be complete and shouldn't be a problem, how old did your cats get, as they live longer they, like all of us, are more prone to disease. Also, be sure not to overfeed them, one sees so many overfed cats and dogs.

[gness]

Smurf....can't help you with the food but when we ran the cattery we found out so much about cats!

As a rule....and before anyone disagrees yes...there are exceptions....:

Black and white long haired.....comical...sociable...calm to bonkers in no time....short haired too but less so.

All black and sleek....a bit aloof...not keen on strangers but loyal to one owner.

Tortie.....very friendly and amazingly clever.....inquisitive.

Ginger and white long hair....daft as a brush....and soft as tripe. Short haired not so and can be a bit sniffy...though one I owned was an exception.

The only all white we had in didn't have huge personality....often were deaf and are prone to sun damage...

My choice if I was to have another would be the long haired black and white or a tortie....x

[boxtops]

I go for tabbies - love 'em!

[gness]

Oooo...forgot the tabbies.....can't think of one we had that wasn't friendly... never seemed to mind being left as long as they got fuss.

[boxtops]

Agree, tilly - tabbies are very sociable and love humans.

[smurfchops]

Both cats died at 12 years. Maybe a tabby next time. At what age would you think I can tell the temperament ? By the way see this link about food.

http://www.catinfo.org/docs/Feeding%20Your%20Cat%20-%204%20pages%2011-13.pdf

[wolf63]

I have two cats who are now 9 years old. They were adults (18 months) when I got them. They were born to a feral mother in a barn/shed. Frankie is short haired and loves food apart from him being asthmatic he is a lovely cat. His sister Merlin is long haired, stupid (says the vet), short tempered and vicious. She bit a workman and went right through his thick gloves with her ever so sharp teeth.

They are indoor cats and I thought that this would mean that they would play together and curl up for a snooze together - they probably would if they liked each other. Merlin beats her brother up and then sits and licks her paws and claws.

Basically - you really don't know what you are going to get until they settle in and reach adulthood.

But you have been through it all before, don't worry - in no time at all they will tell you what they want to eat and when meal times are.

http://i.imgur.com/I2fgMDC.jpg
http://tinyurl.com/lpfnbkn

Here is more info to read through

http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/

http://www.icatcare.org/advice

The last link is for 'Pete The Vet' who is on Facebook, Telegraph, Irish TV etc - http://www.petethevet.com/wp/ He seems sensible in his approach to feeding and caring for moggies (and other animals).

Good luck

[smurfchops]

Thanks wolf and everyone. Yes I know how to look after a cat, I just wonder whether different food would keep a cat healthier for longer, and how to find a docile lapcat !

[pixie373]

Due to the breeding, long-haired cats are the most docile and laidback- but need grooming. We have always had cats, and they have all done very well on a complete mix in the morning and a pouch of wet food in the evening. Keep up the vaccinations and boosters, too.

[pastafreak]

I think the only way you can get there temperment you want,is to get an older cat. A kitten can turn out to be anything...depending on its genes,how its socialised,how you interact with it.
As for food...well no matter what you provide on any given day...your cat will most likely want something different. :-( I'd stick with mostly commercially available food,and top up with some fresh treats occasionally.
I've had many cats...my current two are Caspar-7 yrs,semi long haired,white,deaf male...rather dim and a bit of a bully since Amber arrived a few months ago. She is about 4,and a very easy going.chubby tortie. She's the softest female I've ever had. I can rub her tummy with my bare feet...no claws!

[ganesh]

Cats normally live around 12-15 so yours weren't outrageously young, was the one that had diabetes overweight ? I wouldn't blame your choice of food for their life-span. Also a boy cat may hunt less if that's important to you (that's what I've always found ) but cats will be cats! If temperament is very important to you too, why not get a young but grown up cat? I work at a rescue centre where we have quite a few, The staff know their temperaments quite well and they come with a bit of history so can match up with what you want. Lots of kittens too at the moment but they go quickly.

[smurfchops]

No the one with diabetes wasn't overweight, it just suddenly happened. Both male, both hunters. Oh well, I will talk OH round soon, we are still upset at losing the last cat, last year, I still say goodnight to him ! Wild as he was.