Food & Feeding

One of the most often asked questions is what do I feed and how often. So I thought I would talk about it here.
Kender Siberians has dry Royal Canin kitten mixed with dry Royal Canin Special available and out 24/7. On occasion we mix in dry CORE or B.G. (before grains). This not only offers a bit of variety in nutrition but in kibble size and shape as well. Now 2 to 3 times daily we offer a raw meat mix that we make ourselves. Using 1lb ground Turkey, 1 lb ground bison/buffalo and 1 lb ground beef and mixing in 3 tsp. of the Nu-Vet powdered vitamin supplement.  There are other vitamin supplements available - this is the one we have chosen with what we feel is the best results. And additionally 1 times a day we make wet/canned available typically either Tiki Cat, Wellness or Royal Canin's new canned products.Whew - yes we spend a lot of time feeding our cats!

Why you may ask would we spend so much time and variation when dry food in a bowl seems so darned convenient and easy. Well the answer is simple  cats being strict carnivores eat anywhere from 12 to 20 individual times a day. They are "regular" eaters - rather than and unlike dogs who are much more on the scavenging end. And unlike dogs - who derive a sense of self from their pack including their eating order cats derive no social value from their meal.  Dogs develop from the time they are puppies, a sense of their rank within their pack, partially from their eating order. Cats have no social structure that is derived from or dependant on others within the house.

All of a cats emotional and instinctual needs must be met for a cat to be truly happy. And in today's world of stress, noise and homes with more and more built ins and fewer places to isolate themselves to - a cats stress level can be so high they may develop inappropriate oral behavior patterns. These can include constant grooming, overeating, crying , sucking behaviors and/or chewing. Just like their outdoor cousins, cats have a minimum need for space to feel safe and secure. So while we may feed 4 separate times daily - only a few cats may show up to each feeding. Each having their own unique preferences and habits. It is in effect accommodating their innate need for space, social interaction and  individual preferences while respecting their need to fulfill their prey instincts and providing absolutely the best nutrition.

Another thing to consider when feeding cats is that while humans have around 9000 taste buds and dogs around 1600 - cats only have about 500 . And these like in all mammals die and decrease with age. So an older cat may have a much more difficult time even perceiving what you are offering as food if it doesn't fall within the cats normal range of accepted and desired tasted. Or if a kiity has a stuffed up nose from an upper respiratory they may again, refuse all food because they are not able to perceive it as such.


And while not specifically mentioned I hope it is understood that fresh water must be made available at all times. I highly recommend a pet fountain. This continually circulates the water giving it a cool clean crisp taste while not allowing bacteria to build up in a bowl (or at least not as easily).  If you can not or do not want to use a pet fountain then we only recommend glass or metal bowls that can be easily and readily sanitized without absorbing the chemicals or bacteria that plastic bowls do.

In a smaller household with only a cat or 2 a small fountain is easily maintained. In a larger household it is almost a must - however a word of caution don't let the well run too low or you risk blowing out/burning up the little pump inside.