General cat food for sterilised cat

Hello, I would like to ask a question:
can I feed sterilised cat with general cat food for non-sterilised cats or not?
In other words, will it have negavite consequences if
I give non-special (e.g. Royal Canin Indoor) food for sterilised cats?

Sincerely,
Matas

That's the first time I've heard of special food for spayed/neutered cats. As far as I know there are no different nutritional requirements, just be sure not to over-feed any cat.

Matas, food for "indoor" cats is a marketing ploy. ALL cats need a high protein, low carbohydrate diet for the best long term health - preferably wet food, not dry. Indoor cats may not be as active as outdoor cats, so need less calories - and that can be managed easily with portion control.

If you want to learn a little bit about feline nutrition needs, this is a helpful site, written by a vet: http://www.catinfo.org

Thanks for replies. I'll have these in mind! :smile2:

I actually think there are scientific reasons to feed an indoor or spayed/neutered cat a special food that is especially designed for them.  The research done in this area is fairly extensive and I don't believe at all that this is a marketing ploy by companies that make these foods.  On the contrary, I personally think it's the companies that insist that a one-size-fits-all high-protein food is best that are playing the marketing game.  Cats nutritional needs ARE different depending on their age, lifestyle, sexual status, etc.  It's really not a very different concept than with humans.  For example, if you live a fairly inactive lifestyle, you'd of course need to eat much less calories than an athlete - but even if the calories consumed are reduced, you'd still want to make sure you have all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning properly and to reduce the risk of diseases.  And if you have a big appetite and simply eating less is NOT that easy, eating foods that are less dense in calories but say, higher in fibre, will make you feel more satisfied.  The same idea is true with cats, even if their exact nutritional requirements are different than ours.

A indoor cat's energy requirements are naturally a lot lower than an outdoor cat's, so yes, they should eat less calories because they are expending much less energy (makes sense!).  Also, a lot of people don't realize that as soon as a cat is spayed or neutered, their energy requirement is even further reduced (by 30%!) while meanwhile their appetite generally increases significantly (probably due to the change in sex hormones).  This can be problematic.  For one, if you just reduce the amount of high-calorie food your cat eats, you might find your cat is constantly begging for more food (I have this problem with one of mine - she can never seem to get enough food and can be extremely vocal and clingy when she's hungry, which seems like always!).  Also, feeding him less of a high-energy food may reduce the amount of calories your cat is consuming, but at the same time, but when you decrease the feeding amount, you are also reducing the amount of essential nutrients that your cat needs to thrive.  Protein and fat (energy sources) are not the only nutrient your cat's body requires to function to its full potential - think vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, etc. that are required for many bodily functions (including metabolizing energy).  Malnutrition can lead to many health problems, so you need to make sure your cat is getting all the nutrients it needs.  So by reducing the amount fed, the cat is getting less of these other essential nutrients in addition to less calories.  It has also been shown that cats that are spayed or neutered have an increased risk of urinary infections or crystals, especially in males, so feeding a food formulated to reduce this risk is important.

Indoor foods are less dense in calories, which means your cat can eat a larger volume of it without consuming too many calories - and this means a more satisfied cat.  But although these foods are lower in calories, they are also formulated to contain the right amounts of vitamins and minerals that your cat needs - so you won't be depriving your cat of any essential nutrients.  Also, many indoor foods (like the Royal Canin Indoor you mentioned), have urinary health benefits as well.  I honestly think wet or dry is only a matter of preference, as there are MANY cats that do great on dry food, as long as it is a good quality dry food.  But there are some indoor foods that also offer wet versions if you or your cat prefers that.  I think RC does have some different kinds of canned food if you're looking at RC specifically.

Personally I feed RC Spayed/Neutered Appetite Control and my cats couldn't be healthier - never any weight or urinary problems, lots of energy, great quality of coat and stool, and less begging than ever before.  I, for one am very thankful for this food, and I think my insatiable cat is too.

This being said, if your cat is sterilized and you are feeding an indoor food (not specifically a spayed/neutered food), you are definitely not doing any harm to your cat.  You can be sure you're still feeding less calories with all the benefits your cat needs to be healthy.

prisma11 said:

I actually think there are scientific reasons to feed an indoor or spayed/neutered cat a special food that is especially designed for them.  

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You wouldn't happen to work for Royal Canin now would you?

prisma11 said:

 I honestly think wet or dry is only a matter of preference, as there are MANY cats that do great on dry food, as long as it is a good quality dry food.

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And there are a great many cats that suffer considerable health problems due to a dry food diet. Just looking at the top 10 insurance claims according VPI:

Top 10 Feline Claims

1. Lower urinary tract diseases

2. Stomach upsets/gastritis

3. Renal failure

4. Intestinal inflammation/diarrhea

5. Skin allergies

6. Diabetes

7. Colitis/Constipation

8. Ear infections

9. Upper respiratory virus

10. Hyperthyroidism

Also, what is a "good quality dry food"?

prisma11 said:

Cats nutritional needs ARE different depending on their age, lifestyle, sexual status, etc.  

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Their caloric needs are certainly different. But as obligate carnivores, I beg to differ that their nutritional needs are different. There's also plenty of research on nutritional needs during the growth phase, so yes, I concede that kittens have different nutritional requirements than adult cats.
.

prisma11 said:

For example, if you live a fairly inactive lifestyle, you'd of course need to eat much less calories than an athlete - but even if the calories consumed are reduced, you'd still want to make sure you have all the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning properly and to reduce the risk of diseases. And if you have a big appetite and simply eating less is NOT that easy, eating foods that are less dense in calories but say, higher in fibre, will make you feel more satisfied.

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And an inactive person, therefore, should not consume empty calories. Feeding an indoor kitty the proper amount (calorically) of a high protein diet will make them feel satisfied and not hungry. It's the food with empty calories and that lack of protein that leaves them wanting more. Anyone who free feeds dry food and has switched from a high-carb diet to a high-protein diet will notice the difference in the amount of food they need to put out for kitty.

Let's take a look at the OP's example: Royal Canin.

Here are the ingredients of the Royal Canin INDOOR Adult 27 Cat Food: http://products.royalcanin.us/products/cat-food/indoor-adult-27.aspx

Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, rice, corn, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, chicken, natural chicken flavor, pea fiber, rice flour, rice hulls, wheat gluten, dried beet pulp (sugar removed), soya oil, sodium silico aluminate, dried brewers yeast, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), anchovy oil (source of EPA/DHA), calcium sulfate, salt, potassium chloride, dried egg product, choline chloride, DL-methionine, taurine, Vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin supplement, biotin, riboflavin (vitamin B2) supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], sodium tripolyphosphate, tea (green tea extract), Trace Minerals [zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], L-Carnitine, preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E) and citric acid, rosemary extract.

The guaranteed analysis is (on a dry matter basis)

Protein 29.4%
Fat 13.0%
Fiber 6.7%
Ash (not provided, I assume it is 8%) 8.7%
Carbs 42.2%

They recommend a 10 pound cat be given 1 cup per day: this contains 325 calories


Now here's the Royal Canin Adult Fit 32 food for cats with outdoor access: http://products.royalcanin.us/products/cat-food/adult-fit-32.aspx?Animal=Cat&CatAge=1-10 Years

Ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, corn, corn gluten meal, chicken, chicken fat, natural chicken flavor, pea fiber, dried beet pulp (sugar removed), rice hulls, dried brewers yeast, soya oil, anchovy oil (source of EPA/DHA), calcium sulfate, salt, potassium chloride, DL-methionine, dried brewers yeast extract (source of mannan-oligosaccharides), dried egg product, choline chloride, taurine, monosodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, Vitamins [DL-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), niacin supplement, biotin, riboflavin (vitamin B2) supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement], Trace Minerals [zinc oxide, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, calcium iodate, sodium selenite], marigold extract (Tagetes erecta L.), preserved with natural mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E) and citric acid, rosemary extract.

Guaranteed Analysis on a dry matter basis:

Protein 34.8%
Fat 15.2%
Fiber 6.3%
Ash (not provided, assume it is 8%) 8.7%
Carbs 35%

The recommended feeding amount is 1 cup per 10 pound cat; 1 cup has 354 calories.


So while the Indoor formula has fewer calories, the difference in fiber (empty calories) isn't much - what is reduced in the indoor formula is protein and fat. Reducing the fat makes sense, but the indoor formula is 42% carbohydrates.

I'd consider agreeing that there's something to the indoor vs active foods if the difference in calories was in fiber. But it isn't. (And even then, I'm not so sure I'd think it was healthy for an indoor cat).

Cats are obligate carnivores - they have zero dietary requirement for carbohydrates. Feral cats - young, middle-aged, and older - hunt and eat the same things at every age, and none of them dig the potatoes out of the garden, raid the rice paddy, or eat the peas off the vine.

I say feed your indoor kitty the amount of a high protein, low carb diet that keeps him or her a healthy weight. Look for foods with limited ingredients and no grains. Skip the brown rice, corn, corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, pea fiber, rice hulls, etc. What cats need - indoor or outdoor - is meat, fat, organs, and bone.

prisma11 said:

 This being said, if your cat is sterilized and you are feeding an indoor food (not specifically a spayed/neutered food), you are definitely not doing any harm to your cat.

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That's just a huge statement that I don't think can be supported. Reference Sugarcatmom's post above.

I was emailing Tracy of Hare Today about fat from the duck portions and meat and raw food and Ritz having to lose some weight but her having a bottomless pit; and she said I should increase fat and decrease portion size; they will fill fuller.

Humans feel fuller when eating a high fiber diet but that may be in part because humans have the amino acids, etc. to process plant fiber (carbohydrates).

Cats don't.  They have to be carnivores; dogs can be either/both.