Food for sphinxes: which is better, nutritional features of kittens and adult animals

Sphynxes are exotic cats that require a special diet. They require more calories than their “woolly” counterparts. But these animals cannot be given all the food. Due to improper feeding, health problems appear, and the skin begins to intensively produce secretions that bother the pet and stain the furniture in the apartment.

Dietary features of sphinxes

Hairless cats (Canadian and Don Sphynx, Peterbald) have an accelerated metabolism. Fast metabolic processes are necessary to maintain normal body temperature. Because of this, sphinxes have an excellent appetite.

Most often, cats are not capricious; they eat whatever the owner offers. Pets do not refuse prohibited foods and leftover human food.

However, Sphynx cats have a sensitive digestive system, so the owner must carefully monitor the cat's diet. Any deviations in nutrition are fraught with diarrhea, dysbiosis and other health problems.

Important. Cat food should be nutritious but light.

Peterbald, Canadian and Don Sphynxes are fed the same. These cats are physiologically very close.

Sphynxes cannot be suddenly transferred from one type of food to another. While ordinary cats need about a week to adapt to a new menu, these breeds take at least a month to make the transition.

Which food to choose for your Sphynx

Most breeders prefer to feed Sphynx cats with high-quality ready-made food. They are designed taking into account the characteristics of the breed and best meet the needs of the cat's body.

Dry food of premium and superpremium classes or holistic level is suitable for Sphynx cats. Cheap products sold in regular stores do more harm than good. It contains ballast substances and artificial additives that negatively affect the health of cats.

Popular brands of food that you can feed sphinxes are presented in the table:

Premium classSuperpremium classHolistic

Manufacturers produce separate lines:

• for kittens;
• pregnant and lactating cats;
• elderly pets;
• castrated cats;
• animals with any diseases.

When choosing food you need to consider:

• age;
• state;
• cat's activity level.

It is advisable to consult with a veterinarian or breeder to receive individual recommendations on food choices. If a cat is sick, she will be prescribed food from medicinal lines.

Important. Breeders advise buying food produced in Europe, the USA and Canada. They meet AAFACO international standards and are tested for nutritional quality.

It is important to carefully study the composition:

• The components are indicated in descending order of their mass fraction. In the first place there should be meat indicating its type.
• It is advisable that the composition does not contain soy and grains - corn, wheat. They increase the likelihood of developing metabolic disorders and obesity.
• It is better to feed Sphynx cats with foods containing a minimum amount of vegetable protein.

The Royal Canin company produces special food for Sphynx cats. It is focused on the increased energy needs of animals. The composition includes useful additives that prevent the occurrence of gastrointestinal and heart diseases.

However, the food has received conflicting reviews from veterinarians. It contains dehydrated poultry and grains, which may cause allergies. Therefore, it is given with great caution. First you need to make sure that your pet has no negative reactions.

Read also:  British Shorthair and Russian Blue: comparison of breeds (with photos)

It is important to ensure that the cat consumes 2-3 times more liquid than it eats dry food. Otherwise, the risk of constipation and urolithiasis increases. If the Sphynx refuses to drink water, you will have to either change the diet or supplement it with a syringe.

For your information. It has been observed that many cats drink better from drinking fountains.

Dry food for Sphynx

This food is produced by extrusion, under high temperature and pressure. The main components here are meat and fish, and the additional ones are vegetables, berries, and occasionally legumes and grains. Its benefit is due to the stress on the teeth, which supposedly prevents the formation of tartar. Having studied 10 nominees, VyborExpert specialists settled on 3 tasty, versatile and affordable options.

Royal Canin Sphinx

Dry food is specially developed for the Sphynx breed, taking into account their increased energy needs. The food is suitable for cats over 12 months of age. It is made from plant and animal components, which makes your pet's diet varied. The composition includes tomatoes, wheat, grain flour, poultry, so it saturates the body well. The product is rich in vitamin A (32,000 IU), D3 (900 IU), zinc (150 mg) and a number of other useful substances.

Due to its high concentration of nutrients, Royal Canin dry food for Sphynx cats maintains healthy skin, which needs additional protection due to the lack of hair. It is also positively influenced by the Omega-3 and Omega-6 contained here. In addition, it takes care of the heart and urinary system, which is especially common in older animals.

Advantages:

• No artificial preservatives;
• High fat content – ​​23%;
• Available in several package sizes;
• Calorie content – ​​404 kcal per 100 g;
• Fine grind.

Flaws:

• Not detected.

The product is presented in the form of triangular croquettes, adapted to the jaws of a sphinx. It promotes chewing and maintains oral hygiene.

Orijen Fit & Trim

...I decided to try it for the first time. The food is good and contains no dangerous flavors or dyes. The cat eats it with pleasure, but the price is not low...

Expert opinion

The dry mixture is designed specifically for overweight cats and is used as part of the diet. Its effectiveness is due to the reduced carbohydrate content (up to 15%) and moderate amount of fat. The basis of the composition is proteins (44%). It also contains fiber, which normalizes digestion. The product is made from plant and animal ingredients - dried chicken, turkey and fish. The ratio of meat and vegetables to fruits is 85 to 15%.

Orijen Fit & Trim also consists of legumes - lentils, peas, chickpeas, beans, which explains the high concentration of protein in the mixture. It has a pleasant aroma due to the inclusion of serviceberry, blueberry, and cranberry berries. Additionally, the food contains food additives - copper, zinc, choline, which improve the functioning of the nervous system and have a positive effect on the heart and cartilage.

Advantages:

• Suitable for all ages;
• Can be given to any breed;
• Balanced composition;
• Does not lose its qualities over time;
• No pungent smell.

Flaws:

• Not medicinal;
• No zip lock.

Reviews note that a 5.4 kg package of food for the Sphynx breed is enough to feed an adult cat for 2-2.5 months.

Brit Care Sunny with salmon for healthy skin and coat

The food is included in the rating primarily because it is hypoallergenic, making it suitable even for pets with sensitive stomachs. It is characterized by a high content of meat - chicken and salmon. This makes the mixture a rich source of protein, which increases energy levels and supports the normal functioning of the immune system.

Brit Care Sunny supplies the body with biotin, zinc, Omega-3, which improve the condition of the skin and add shine to the coat, while taurine and arginine ensure the smooth functioning of the liver, stomach, and intestines. The mixture does not bother animals for a long time due to its varied composition - dried apples, sea buckthorn extract, chicken liver, rice bran.

Advantages:

• High energy value – 4200 kcal/kg;
• Shelf life – 18 months;
• Belongs to the premium class;
• 3 packages available – 0.4, 2 and 7 kg;
• Optimal granule size.

Flaws:

• The maximum recommended age is 6 years.

Due to the high energy value, it is not recommended to overfeed the animal to avoid obesity.

Natural nutrition in the diet

Some owners prefer to feed their cats exclusively natural products. It is believed that this is a more physiological type of nutrition, which is as close as possible to the natural diet of predators. In addition, the owner can be confident in the quality and freshness of the food.

Balancing a natural diet for a Sphynx is quite difficult. You will have to create an individual menu, adjust it depending on the preferences and reaction of the cat.

Sphynx cats can be fed the following foods:

Mix 1 tsp into food. olive or flaxseed oil so that the cat’s body receives fatty acids. It is also a good prevention of constipation. For an emergency, you can freeze several portions of natural food. But using this method on an ongoing basis is highly undesirable.

Some Sphynx cats are very fond of cheese. Small pieces are sometimes given as treats to pamper your pet.

Important. Cats are fed food at room temperature – it should not be too cold or hot.

FOOD OF CANADIAN SPHINXES or all about food

All Sphynxes love to eat!

They enjoy eating frequently and are always willing to try something new!

Simply put, Sphynx cats can be real gluttons.

Due to their lack of hair, Sphynx cats have a higher metabolism. And this is why sphinxes manage to maintain the required body temperature and not freeze.

The more balanced the diet the Sphynx has throughout his life, the healthier he will be, and the longer his life will be.

For those who do not want to read the article to the end, all recommendations can be contained in three rules, which, in principle, are the same as for all other cat breeds:

firstly, you cannot give sphinxes any food from the table! secondly, you cannot feed sphinxes with any economy-class food, since they contain a very low percentage of meat and this “meat” is most often by-products, and the basis of such food is corn or soy with various flavor enhancers; thirdly, the Sphynx's diet must be balanced: it can be high-quality dry food, wet food, which can be used as a supplement to dry food, or natural food, which must also be balanced.

Canadian Sphynx cats are omnivores, they have an excellent appetite and practically do not chew their food, but swallow it in pieces. Sphynxes can love foods unusual for cats: fruits, berries, vegetables, chocolate, and even try something completely inedible and dangerous.

Sphynxes also have a very sensitive gastrointestinal tract. Improper nutrition can lead to dermatitis, as well as dysbacteriosis.

The Sphynx's diet must be accompanied by plenty of drinking. There should always be a cup or bowl of clean, fresh water next to your food.

The first question that arises before the owner of a Sphynx when a pet appears at home: what to feed - natural food or ready-made food?

All people are different. Some people will have chickens to have the opportunity to eat fresh chicken broth, while others will go to a restaurant for the same broth.

Some will stand in the kitchen for hours near the meat grinder, making a healthy meat mix for their pet, while others will buy holistic food.

You will have to make the choice yourself, based on your capabilities and your pet’s preferences.

What to feed the Canadian Sphynx, choosing natural food?

Proper nutrition is a balanced diet. And the most important thing here is to create a balanced diet, so that it contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins and microelements. If something is missing, then the chance of not only poor health for the sphinx will increase, but also the occurrence of various diseases.

How to achieve this balance?

First of all, you need to give high-quality raw lean beef, sometimes you can replace it with lightly boiled chicken, once a week give a boiled egg: chicken or quail, chicken liver and necks, fish, fermented milk products (sour cream and cottage cheese), include vegetables and herbs in the diet , which should be about a tenth of it: carrots can be grated and mixed with sour cream or meat. It's the same with cabbage. Vegetables can be slightly simmered in a frying pan. You can make a pate from vegetables, meat or fish.

Recipes and natural food menus can be easily found on the Internet.

There is only one question: are you ready to stand at the stove cooking not only for your loved ones, but also for your beloved sphinx?

I think few people in our age of speed will answer in the affirmative.

If, after all, you are an ardent supporter of natural food for sphinxes, then I hasten to please you: companies have appeared that produce balanced natural frozen food for pets of all stripes and breeds. Look for such a company in your city. You may not have to stand in the kitchen for hours, but it will be enough to simply place an order by phone, and then simply put the food packaged in trays for your pet in the freezer. The only additional thing you will need to do is defrost the food in advance or heat it in the microwave, depending on the recipe of the selected mix.

And, we repeat, you should absolutely not confuse natural nutrition with food from your table.

Now let's look at ready-made industrial feeds.

Choosing a certain category of dry food and its brand is a very responsible matter, on which not only the health of your pet depends, but also its life expectancy.

Ready-made food for the Canadian Sphynx as a permanent diet is not only convenient and profitable, but also healthy.

Today, a huge number of different brands of dry food are produced, which contain all the necessary microelements and vitamins, essential fatty acids, and even the daily feeding rate has already been calculated.

There are several categories of dry industrial cat food: economy, commercial (or premium) and super premium.

How to decipher this?

It's quite simple:

Economy, this is a very inexpensive product, characterized by an abundance of useless and sometimes harmful additives and chemicals. In addition, cats have problems digesting such food, and long-term consumption of such food can lead to chronic diseases in the pet. commercial (premium) food is not much better than economy food. For most types of commercial class food - some of the problems of the previous class (economy) are very relevant - the difference is only observed in the more expensive price of premium class food. super premium food - must be made from natural ingredients that are highly digestible and beneficial. In the class of super premium feeds, a special group should be allocated to super premium feeds - holistic.

What are the advantages of ready-made food of the highest category - holistic?

Holistics are a new generation of super premium food, the creation of which has become an entire philosophy in the pet industry.

Their main difference from conventional food is the ingredients, which are suitable for food not only for animals, but also for people. But the most important thing is that holistic foods are an absolutely precise combination of balance, nutrition, quality and taste.

So:

1. The use of unidentified meat ingredients is excluded in the composition of holistic products - and this means that the meat or fish from which the food is made is always indicated on the packaging;

2. Holistic uses products that are suitable for human consumption;

3. When creating a holistic program, it is prohibited:

- use of products containing high levels of gluten;

- the use of cheap types of protein obtained from various by-products, such as meat and bone meal;

- use of various chemical dyes, preservatives and flavors.

Holistics contain all the necessary nutrients, vitamins, minerals, pre- and probiotics, antioxidants, as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.

Holistics do not contain by-products, growth hormones, gluten, wheat, corn, or soy.

New holistic brands are grain-free food with a single source of animal protein and a limited composition of additional elements to avoid allergic reactions in animals.

A reasonable question arises: if only super premium food is of good quality, then why produce other animal food at all?

Demand creates supply, and in our country many pet owners, unfortunately, do not think at all about how to properly feed their pets.

The most paradoxical thing is that cheap food is not only not useful for the animal’s body, but also poorly satisfies the feeling of hunger. The animal eats two to three times more economy class food and, as a result, remains not only hungry, but also harms its body. An animal needs two to three times less holistic food to feel full, which makes feeding good food more affordable.

For feeding cats, including Sphynx cats, there are also various canned food and bags of food called pouches.

What are spiders? Pouch translated means pouch. In our case, a pouch is a type of wet food packaging.

In principle, pouches are the same canned food, just packed not in a tin can, but in a foil bag with polyethylene.

Every Sphynx owner knows that his pet, when choosing between dry food and wet food, will definitely choose wet food. Therefore, let's now look at this type of food.

Pouches are also divided into economy, premium and super premium categories.

Basically, food (pauchi) is made from low-grade raw materials; it contains virtually no animal products, although if you look at it, we will see delicious pieces of “meat” in the sauce.

This food smells good to cats and, from the animal's point of view, is very tasty.

Cats do not have a developed sense of taste, but not everyone knows about this, so the manufacturer pays more attention to smell than taste through various additives and flavorings.

The exception is pouches and canned foods of the holistic class, which contain 50% - 75% meat or fish cooked in their own broth, without the use of chemicals, hormones, or antibiotics.

Which food is preferable - dry or wet?

There are pros and cons to each type of food.

Let's figure it out:

- Dry food

Pros:

• Dental Health – Dry food helps remove plaque or tartar from teeth. Dry food does not contain moisture and requires a lot of liquid and plenty of drinking, which in turn also helps in cleaning teeth.

• Dry food is more economical, lasts longer, and does not spoil for a long time. If necessary, the animal can be left with dry food for a sufficiently long time.

• A great way to strengthen the jaw muscles for breeds with weak chins. Additionally, dry food can satisfy your cat's chewing instinct.

• Convenience of feeding and dosing.

• Possibility to take with you on a trip.

Minuses

• High carbohydrate content. Natural cat food does not contain as much starch or carbohydrates from grains (such as corn, rice, etc.) that are found in most dry foods containing 30% - 50% carbohydrates.

• Some cats find dry food difficult to digest.

• Contains grain and its processed products (except for grain-free holistic products).

• Quite a high price for a high quality product (holistic class)..

Wet food

Pros:

• An excellent source of protein and fat to meet the anatomical and physiological needs of cats.

• Contains a lot of water - wet food consists of almost 75% water, which helps prevent the development of urolithiasis.

• Helps prevent overeating - Studies have shown that cats tend to eat less if they eat wet food. The high amount of protein in wet food makes you feel full faster.

• Appealing smell and taste - cats love the smell and texture of wet food.

Minuses

• Holistic wet food tends to be more expensive than dry food and is usually packaged in small bags or jars.

• May cause bad breath. In some cases, a cat who eats mostly wet food may develop plaque and tartar, which can cause gum infections.

• Perishable - wet food should not be left at room temperature for long periods of time. If the jar is open, then it should be kept in the refrigerator and only for no more than a day.

• The need to warm the feed to the optimal temperature after storing it in the refrigerator.

• High product consumption compared to its dry counterpart.

What type of food do you prefer for your pet?

What to choose: dry food or wet food?

Is it worth combining them?

How to feed dry food, how many times a day to give wet food?

Important: the main feature when feeding dry food is the need for sufficient water. The animal must have unrestricted access to it at all times.

In addition, when developing and creating dry food, it was assumed that the animal would not receive additional food. This means that supplementing your pet with natural food is highly undesirable. A dry product can be combined with wet food in small quantities, but not in one meal and it is advisable that it be from the same manufacturer.

When switching from one food to another, the replacement should be done very gradually, over a period of at least 5-7 days.

Is it possible to leave dry food out in the open? Can!

But, spayed and neutered cats are prone to overeating. Owners of such animals should pay attention to the amount of servings they consume.

The Sphynx should receive food at least 2 times a day, regardless of the type of food.

Manufacturers of wet food offer portioned packs (pouches) and cans for sale, which means that the owner no longer faces the problem of calculating the serving volume.

Is it possible to combine wet and dry food and in what proportions?

You can combine! But in no case should you mix dry food and canned food in one serving or offer them to the animal at the same time.

Let's summarize: there is simply no clear recommendation or advice in favor of one particular type of nutrition. When choosing food, it is recommended to consider the following factors:

• ease of feeding;

• the type of food consumed by the kitten from the breeder;

• available budget.

Whatever type of food the owner of the Canadian Sphynx chooses, he should know that:

• it is not recommended to combine products from different manufacturers or change them frequently;

• medicinal feed can be introduced into the diet only on the recommendation of veterinarians;

• it is better to feed with high-quality food from well-known manufacturers;

• offering your pet different tastes, you should choose from one product line.

It is necessary to remember when choosing industrial food: the higher the quality of the food, the higher its cost, the more it (this cost) will compensate for the long-term reduction in veterinary costs associated with feeding your pet.

It is very important to monitor the condition of the animal, its stool, mood, health and appetite.

If your Sphynx is happy and active, you have made the right choice in his diet!

Sample menu by age

Kittens begin to be fed at about 1 month. Until this moment, they eat only mother's milk. It is very nutritious, contains many useful substances and antibodies that are necessary for the formation of the immune system.

After arriving from the nursery, you need to feed the Sphynx kitten in the same way as the breeder did. Usually at 2 months babies are given:

Gradually, vegetables, herbs, rice and buckwheat porridges are introduced into the diet. At 3-4 months, the baby’s teeth begin to change. During this period, the kitten especially needs vitamins and calcium. It is advisable to switch your pet to dry food after six months, when its intestinal microflora has formed.

Approximate menu of sphinxes by age.

Age Food intake per day (g) Industrial feed Natural products

How many times a day to feed

Kittens require small, frequent meals. If they are bottle-fed, food is given 8 times a day at regular intervals, even at night. In other cases, it is enough for the baby to receive food 6 times a day in addition to breast milk.

As the Sphynx grows older, its stomach increases in size. Now he can eat more food. From 1.5 to 3 months, the kitten is fed 5-6 times a day, from 3 months the number of feedings is reduced to 5, after six months - to 4.

From 9 to 12 months, Sphynx cats are fed three times a day. Then the cats are transferred to two meals a day and given all the foods that are allowed for adult animals.

Food for Sphynx kittens

To feed pets under 1 year of age, mixtures with a protein content of up to 60% are required. The main criterion is naturalness; the presence of artificial flavors, preservatives and dyes is not allowed. The optimal calorie content is about 500 kcal per 100 g. Based on the characteristics of the product, one food for Sphynx kittens, specially designed for recently born animals, was included in the rating.

Purina One with chicken and carrots

Purina One wet food is designed to meet the increased energy needs of kittens. The product can be fed to animals from 6 weeks. The maximum recommended age for a pet is 1 year. Its consumption is small - on average it takes from 1 to 5 packets per day with 2-3 meals a day. At this time, it is important to ensure that the sphinx has clean water.

Purina One is made with meat ingredients, including chicken and fish. This guarantees high nutritional value and replenishment of energy reserves. The product is rich in vitamin A, D3, E, and is also rich in iron, copper, and zinc. Thanks to this formula, the immune system is strengthened, the condition of the coat is improved and diseases of the urinary system are prevented.

Advantages:

• Fat content – ​​4%;
• Humidity – 78%;
• Lots of proteins – 12.5%;
• Suitable for any breed;
• Nutritious.

Flaws:

• Contains sugar;
• Includes thickeners.

The mixture is supplied in 75 g pouches, which after opening should be stored for no more than a day.

Vitamins and supplements in the Sphynx diet

Additional vitamins for sphinxes are necessary if the animals are fed natural products. All the necessary substances are already included in the finished feed. The use of nutritional supplements is fraught with hypervitaminosis.

The sources of vitamins and minerals are:

• Brewer's yeast;
• fish fat;
• bone flour.

Vitamins are taken in courses 1-2 times a year. The appropriateness of use and the exact dosage should be obtained from a veterinarian.

You can use complex vitamin preparations. As a rule, they are aimed at solving certain problems:

• strengthening the immune system;
• improvement of skin condition;
• eliminating joint problems, etc.

The most popular brands are 8 in 1, Kitzyme, Gimpet, Sanal, Canina.

Rating of food for the Sphynx

The TOP included dry and wet varieties for kittens and adult sphinxes, including neutered ones. The selection was carried out by analyzing the safety, benefits, and availability of products.

The parameters that influenced the formation of the rating were:

• Type – wet, dry, canned;
• Texture – pieces or pate;
• Animal age – cat up to 1 year, adult, elderly;
• Aroma and moisture (for liquid options);
• Composition – percentage of meat, vegetables, fish, grains;
• Percentage of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber;
• Belonging to holisticists or lack of therapeutic effect;
• Daily norm;
• Packaging volume;
• Benefits for health and appearance;
• Duration of storage after opening the package and expiration date.

Also, to compile the TOP, it was necessary to study the reaction of sphinxes to this or that food and how long they can consume it without replacement. The price-quality ratio of products has also become an important criterion.

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What not to feed the Sphynx

Sphynx cats should not be fed the following foods:

Cats should not be given alcohol, coffee or other drinks containing stimulants.

Important. Food for Sphynx cats should not be spoiled, expired or stored in improper conditions.

Wet food for Sphynx

This is something between canned food or pate and dry analogues. It consists of pieces of fish or meat in sauce or jelly with a moisture content of up to 85%. When introducing it into the diet, an increase in the amount of water is not required. Wet food is available in pouch bags. The Vyborexperta.ru team compared 8 products that are in greatest demand among customers and selected the 2 best options for rating according to reviews.

Happy Cat with rabbit, turkey and carrots

Complete wet food "Happy Cat" consists of small pieces in sauce that are easy to chew. The product has a rabbit taste, which does not bother animals for a long time. The liquid mixture is packaged in 100 ml pouches and is suitable for use for several days after opening the package. The food is intended for adult cats aged 1 to 6 years.

Rabbit meat, which is contained in food for Sphynx cats, is dietary. Therefore, the product is easily digested and nutrients are well absorbed. It is a rich source of protein, beneficial for the immune system, cartilage, and heart. The wet mixture is suitable for daily use, including for allergies and digestive problems.

Advantages:

• A small daily norm is from 130 to 500 g, depending on the weight of the cat;
• High concentration of vitamins E (15 mg) and D3 (250 IU);
• Source of zinc, manganese and copper;
• Optimal humidity – 83%;
• Does not contain soy, preservatives or artificial colors.

Flaws:

• It needs to be changed periodically - cats may get tired of it.

In addition to rabbit, food with salmon, chicken, and vegetable flavors is available, but its cost may vary.

1st Choice Adult for healthy skin and coat

The canned food is made from 3 types of fresh tuna fillets and supplemented with finely chopped shrimp. All this is filled with vegetable broth, which gives appetite and improves the taste of food. It will be an additional source of fluid for cats that drink little water. Yucca, sunflower oil and pineapple are also added, which makes the food more varied and prevents the animal from getting bored with it.

1st Choice Adult has a high concentration of Omega-3, which provides a beautiful, well-groomed coat. It supplies the body with vitamin A, E, D3, taking care of cartilage, eye and heart health. The product also supplies manganese, calcium, zinc, selenium, which are important for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, canned food is low in calories - only 789 kcal per 100 g.

Advantages:

• Composition balance;
• Humidity 80%;
• No sources of carbohydrates;
• A little liquid;
• Nice smell.

Flaws:

• Small jar volume – 85 g.

1st Choice Adult has the optimal amount of protein (13%), fat (1.5%), fiber (1%) and ash (3%). This prevents overeating and excess body weight gain.