shelter medicine Meow ... Chow! Feeding kitties in the shelter

BY BRENDA GRIFFIN, D.V.M.

While shelters can’t always feed their specifically designed to meet their unique There are advantages and disadvantages to the equivalent of a five-star meal, providing nutritional needs. And of course, clean fresh each approach. proper nutrition is a key element of kitty care. water should always be available. Free-choice feeding is a method where Nutrition has a profound impact on That’s just the beginning. Here’s a guide food is always available, so the animal can eat animal health. Not only is it essential for to help you keep your cats well-fed, trim, as much as she wants whenever she chooses. management of body weight and condi- and healthy. Dry food should be used for this method of tion, good nutrition also supports immune feeding, as canned products left at room function—a particularly important factor in Dinner in the Wild temperature are prone to spoil. a shelter setting. Keeping in mind that cats The ancestors of domestic cats hunted to The major advantage of free-choice feed- are true carnivores, it’s no wonder that they eat, typically feeding many times each day— ing is that it is quick and easy: Caregivers possess much higher protein requirements whenever they captured a bug or other prey. simply need to ensure that fresh dry food is than do dogs and humans. They also lack This style of feeding behavior is still preferred always available. Major disadvantages include the ability to synthesize essential nutrients by many domestic cats who like to nibble the fact that animals who are not eating may like taurine and vitamin A, which would throughout the day and night, consuming not be spotted for several days, especially have been present in their prey. This makes many small meals. when cats are being fed in a group. Some an- it crucial to feed cats only nutritionally com- That said, most cats are capable of adapt- imals may choose to continually overeat and plete, commercially prepared feline diets ing to either free-choice or meal feeding. become obese. AFRICA STUDIO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM AFRICA

47 they are sanitary, inexpensive, easy to use, and disposable. In addition to offering food in the usual way, you can also try some methods to encourage “pseudopredatory activity”—this can be used as a source of en- richment for some cats. For example, dry or treats can be hidden in commercially available food puzzle toys, or in cardboard boxes, tubes, or rolling toys with holes, so that the cat has to work to extract pieces of food. This method of feeding may be a very useful addition, especially for those cats housed for more than a couple of weeks.

Which Food Works Best? Many shelter staff wonder whether to feed a regular commercial brand of cat food or a premium brand diet. Compared to regular commercial brands, premium diets typically are more consistent in their ingredients, have a higher calorie content, and some are more highly digestible, resulting in less fecal out- put. But such brands are usually more expen- sive than other commercially available feeds, and the cost may not be justifiable in a shelter Cats should be weighed at intake and have their body condition scored. Weight setting. Whatever brand is selected, it should measurements should be taken again at routine intervals throughout their stay. be one that has been through feeding trials to validate its nutritional adequacy. You can Free-choice feeding is an excellent Using a combination of free-choice plus determine this by checking the label, which method for cats who require frequent food once daily meal feeding takes advantage should state that the diet is adequate for the consumption. These include up to of the positive aspects of both methods, life stages indicated based on the Association 5-6 months of age and queens who are in and works well for most cats in the shelter. of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) late gestation or nursing. Unlike dogs, who Typically, dry food is available free-choice, feeding trials. are competitive eaters by nature, cats who and a small meal of canned food is offered Although some cats tolerate changes in are group housed may benefit from free- once daily. This combination approach ac- food without apparent problems, others may choice feeding, as it ensures that there will be commodates the normal feeding behavior of experience loss of appetite and/or gastroin- ample time for all members to eat, provided cats by allowing them to eat several smaller testinal upset. For this reason, it is generally that dominant members of the colony do not meals, and allows caregivers to monitor the best to provide the most consistent diet pos- block the access of subordinate cats. cat’s appetite for the canned food meal. As sible. Some food companies offer feeding Feeding controlled-size portions of dry necessary for the individual cat, some may be programs, providing a consistent food for pur- and/or canned food may be done as an al- fed additional meals of canned food to en- chase at a special rate for shelters. However, ternative to or along with free-choice feed- sure adequate nutritional support. some shelters rely heavily on donations of ing. When used alone, a minimum of two food. In these cases, shelters should try to meals should be fed each day. Meal feeding Proper Dinnerware request donations of certain brands, which is ideal for any cat who requires controlled Many cats prefer to eat from shallow dishes will enable them to provide a consistent diet food intake, and it allows for monitoring or plates, and you should take care to se- whenever possible. You can also mix donated of the cat’s appetite. Meal feeding also lect dishes and bowls that are large enough foods with the shelter’s usual feed to mini- has the benefit of enhancing caregiver-cat to easily accommodate the cat’s entire face mize problems caused by abrupt diet changes bonding and, when done on a regular daily and whiskers. A bowl that’s too small can while taking advantage of donations. schedule, provides a pleasant and predict- discourage the cat from eating or drinking. Regardless of food type, proper stor- able experience for cats. Paper plates are ideal for canned foods as age—away from heat and humidity, espe-

48 ANIMAL SHELTERING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 ANIMALSHELTERING.ORG THIS PAGE: BRENDA GRIFFIN. OPPOSITE PAGE: SERGIO PIUMATTI to swallow. easier are and food dry than stronger smell typically they foods; canned cats these Offer of in appetite. loss result will URI with often occurs that congestion nasal the so smell, of sense tohis related closely is appetite A cat’s that of adults. Simple scales can be used for used be can scales Simple ofadults. that than formed softer and incolor lighter is often which frequently, more ofstool volume larger a toproduce tend Kittens aweek. twice and aday twice between anywhere may defecate defecate once daily, although healthy adults typically cats Adult brown. todark medium and well-formed be should stools Normal daily, tracked. shouldbe andabnormalities monitored be should quality stool and appetite mals more prone to infectious disease. Both ani- making function, immune compromises malnutrition since illness, or ofstress ing times dur- important isespecially nutrition Proper Eyeing Your Eaters opened. was dateit ofthe days to three frigerated immediately, then within used two re- and covered tightly be should food canned used container. Partially anairtight placed and down) bag ofthe top the (roll bag original kept inthe be can foods Bagged mendations. stored according to manufacturers’ recom- areacceptable. containers metal or Plastic enclosures. group or cats individual between discarded or disinfected completely be must needed—and as andwater soap with cally periodi- sanitary—washed and kept clean be should water and for food date. Containers withinused their expiration recommended be should Foods spoilage. or contamination toprevent essential food—is dry for cially Both dry and canned products should be be should products andcanned dry Both PLAN NOW FOR ANIMAL CARE EXPO 2012 IN LAS VEGAS! LEARN MORE AT MORE LEARN VEGAS! LAS IN 2012 EXPO CARE ANIMAL FOR NOW PLAN 30 x x 30 inkg weight +70 Xbody =30 (RER) weight atpresent requirement energy Resting 1. score condition body and weight body baseline Record Gain forWeight Requirements ofCalorie Calculation day per required Kilocalories level activity and stage Life intake. daily 10 animal’s than ofthe total more no percent compose should ofthumb, treats arule As food. ofwet 120-190 can and food for dry 5.5-ounce kcal per cup kcal per 350-500 from ranges content calorie the general, In searches. Internet ple sim- via found be usually can foods cat ofvarious content calorie specific The condition. body ahealthy tomaintain individual ofeach requirements metabolic unique the to suit adjusted be must that points arestarting they absolutes; not and guidelines as to serve aremeant formulas These below). (see level activity and life stage or age, weight, body their on based ofcats requirements energy daily the forcalculating areformulas There How Much Should We Feed? 2. Daily energy requirements for weight gain for weight requirements energy Daily 2. From Linda P. Linda From Case’s 1.3 1.3 From From dl atto 2-3.5 maintenance Xadult 1.25-1.5 trimester last maintenance Xadult inkg weight 100 kcal Xbody Adult lactation 130 inkg weight kcal Xbody inkg weight kcal Xbody 60 Adult pregnancy inkg weight 250 kcal Xbody 7-12Kitten ofage months ofage 5-7 months inkg weight kcal Xbody 80 inkg weight 70 kcal Xbody 2-5 ofage months Kitten adult Inactive adult active Moderately adult active Very ■ ■ ■ ■ Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Small Animal (WEIGHT GAIN FACTOR) GAIN (WEIGHT indicated based on cat’s progress. cat’s on based indicated as weekly or biweekly then week, first for the daily weight body Record rapidly. more alittle increased maybe feedings hours, 48 initial the after clinically well isdoing cat If weight gain. for DER daytoreach each 25 percent byapproximately fed amount Increase over the day. into4meals divided weight, atpresent RER at50-100 percent feeding Start (DESIRED WEIGHT KG) (PRESENT WEIGHT KG) The Cat: Its Behavior, Nutrition andHealth Behavior, Nutrition Cat: Its The +70 = +70 = , 4th edition, 2002. edition, , 4th

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Hiding dry food or treats inside a toy—or even a plastic tub, with strategically placed holes— can alleviate boredom and provide cats with stimulation as they try to figure out how to get the tidbits out. it’s important to allow shy cats (who may not chances for adoption. Curiously, the popu- eat in front of caregivers) an opportunity to lar “fat cat” image may even draw attention eat in privacy. But leaving food next to them to overweight cats! In these cases, weight- when they are sick may lead to food aversion reduction plans may best be left for the new in some cases. owner, who should be educated on the risks associated with obesity for cats (e.g., diabe- Too Fat or Too Thin tes) and instructed to consult a veterinarian Cats who are severely obese pose unique nu- for a safe weight-reduction plan once the cat tritional challenges. Deciding whether or not to has acclimated to her new home. Our entire line of stainless institute a weight-reduction plan for such cats On occasion, cats who’ve been victims steel kennels and cat condos during their stays requires careful consideration. of starvation may enter the shelter, mal- are designed with benefits and features that will withstand the To prevent overeating, controlled meal nourished and underweight, or even in ema- heavy use that is common in feeding is required for weight reduction. ciated body condition. These cats should animal control environments. We have products to fit all budgets, To accomplish this, an obese cat would be examined by a veterinarian, and careful call today for a free estimate. It is probably need to be individually housed for consideration should be given to possible our mission to continue providing at least a portion of the day for individual causes of weight loss and poor body con- innovative animal care equipment that’s built to last. feeding. But individual cat housing may be dition. If the cat is bright, alert, and read- very confining, and obese cats may benefit ily eats when offered food, an in-shelter more if they are housed in a colony-style en- feeding program designed for weight gain closure where they will likely get more exer- can be implemented (see box on page 49). cise. However, this is confounded by the fact Vaccination and parasite control should be that free-choice feeding is generally pre- performed as usual on entry. In addition, ferred for colonies. Some combination of other appropriate documentation (for exam- confinement for fixed-portion meals and ple, lab work and photographs) should be communal housing to encourage exercise obtained if the cat is part of a court case. If is ideal. Sometimes, compatible obese cats weekly weight gain does not occur or other can be co-housed to facilitate both exercise symptoms arise, the cat should be further and diet restriction. evaluated by a veterinarian. AS Reduced-calorie cat foods and formu- las for calculating calorie requirements for weight loss are available, but it often takes Resources Kennels I Cat Condos I Bathing Tubs several months for cats to achieve meaning- For more on raising kittens in a shelter www.directanimal.com ful weight loss. In addition to the logistical setting, see “Kittens: Coming Now to 877.459.7827 challenges, some obese cats will refuse novel a Shelter Near You” in the July-August low-calorie food in the shelter—and rapid 2010 Animal Sheltering, available at Follow us for EXCLUSIVE OFFERS! weight loss is dangerous for obese cats. animalsheltering.org/kittenseason. www.facebook.com/directanimal Obesity does not necessarily hinder a cat’s

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