Feeding Tricks for an American Shorthair Cat
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If you get an American Shorthair kitten from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it’s important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same kitten food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a kitten’s diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don’t develop any digestive upsets and if they do, it’s best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change it again.
Older cats are not known to be fussy eaters, but this does not mean they can be given a lower quality diet. It’s best to feed a mature cat several times a day making sure it’s good quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements which are especially important as cats get older. It’s also essential to keep an eye on a cat’s weight because if they start to put on too much, it can have a serious impact on their overall health and wellbeing. Like all other breeds, American Shorthairs need access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Feeding guide for American Shorthair Kittens
An American Shorthair kitten’s growth rate is very fast from the moment they are born right up to when they are 4 months old when they should be anything from 5 to 7 times heavier than when they were firstborn. It’s when their skeletal structure is developing and energy needs are extremely high.
From 4 months right up to when an American Shorthair is 12 months old, a kitten’s growth rate begins to slow down which allows their skeletal structure to strengthen while at the same time, it’s when their muscles develop. It is a time when a kitten’s energy needs are extremely high.
As a rough guide, an American Shorthair kitten should be fed the following amounts in any 24 hour period making sure they are fed little and often:
- 2 to 3 months – 40g/74g kibble or 12g/45g kibble mixed with ½ sachet of wet food depending on weight
- 4 to 6 months – 55g/80g kibble or 38g/58g kibble mixed with 1 sachet wet food
- 7 to 9 months – 53g/70g kibble or 34g/48g kibble mixed with 1 sachet wet food
- 10 to 12 months – 44g/64g kibble or 28g/40g kibble mixed with 1 sachet wet food
Feeding guide for Adult American Shorthairs
Adult American Shorthairs should be fed a good quality diet to suit their ages. As a rough guide, a mature cat should be fed the following amounts in any 24 hour period:
- Cats weighing 2.72 kg can be fed 33g/42g of kibble or 12g/21g of kibble mixed with 1 sachet of wet food depending on age and activity
- Cats weighing 5.44 kg can be fed 45g/56g of kibble or 23g/34g of dry kibble mixed with 1 sachet of wet food depending on age and activity
- Cats weighing 6.88 kg can be fed 50g/62g of kibble or 28g/40g of dry kibble mixed with 1 sachet of wet food depending on age and activity