life stage nutrition for cats

Question 1

when do queens have their first oestrus?

Answer 1

6 months - age cycle 1-3 weeks

depends on factors = weight, breed, general health status, environmental conditions.

breeding season - according to temperature and an increasing number of daylight hours.

Question 2

When do toms reach puberty?

Answer 2

5-8 months

Question 3

how long does it take a cat to return back into season after having kittens?

Answer 3

back into season around eight weeks after the birth of their kittens,

Question 4

What is a false pregnancy called?

Answer 4

pseudopregnancy

increase in appetite, weight gain and may even produce milk

oestrus will return 4-6 weeks later

Question 5

How long is the gestational period?

Answer 5

58-67 days (around 9 weeks)

Question 6

When do cats gain the most amount of weight during gestation?

Answer 6

within a week of conception

end of third week - gained 20% of extra weight

Question 7

why is there an unusual pattern of body weight gain?

Answer 7

due to the laying down of fat reserves to be mobilised in late pregnancy and during lactation.

Question 8

How is the nutrition of for the queen adapted

Answer 8

concentrated with respect to energy and nutrient density
highly palatable to encourage her to feed
highly digestible
food allowance should be gradually increased by 10% per week,

Question 9

Why is inappropriate calcium supplementation bad for a queen?

Answer 9

causes elcampsia - low blood calcium levels

Question 10

When is the most nutritionally demanding life stage for a queen?

Answer 10

lactation

Question 11

what is giving birth to kittens called?

Answer 11

queening

Question 12

what are the fat reserved that accumulate from early pregnancy?

Answer 12

pregnancy anabolism

Question 13

Why do cats weigh 20% more of their original weight after queeing?

Answer 13

fat reserves, will be drawn on to cover her energy requirements during lactation, which demands a much greater expense of energy than gestation.

Question 14

How much do kitten weigh?

Answer 14

85-120g

Question 15

For how many weeks are kittens dependant on their mother’s milk? and what do they first suckle?

Answer 15

first 4 weeks
colostrum

Question 16

how much more time does the queen need in energy requirements compared to before? and for how long does the consumption remain high?

Answer 16

FOUR
week 7

Question 17

What are important nutritional consideration during lactation?

Answer 17

protein, water and energy

Question 18

Wha are the diet requirements for lactation?

Answer 18

high palatable, digestible and nutrient dense diet

ad libitum feeding is acceptable

Question 19

when do kittens eat solid foods?

Answer 19

3-4 weeks

Question 20

when does weaning occur? and the energy requirements of kittens per body unit are ____ moew than an adult?

Answer 20

3-4 weeks
3-4 times more

Question 21

how many meals are recommended for kittens?

Answer 21

4-5 meals

Question 22

If a kitten is orphaned how often do they need feeding and what requirements are needed?

Answer 22

feeding every 2 hours with milk substitute

promote urination and defecation by stimulating them

Question 23

What should the diet provide kittens?

Answer 23

optimal intake of energy, protein, taurine and calcium.

supply all of the nitrogen and essential amino acids they require for maintenance as well as the synthesis of new tissue.

The omega 3 fatty acid DHA is essential for the development of brain and nervous tissue.

Question 24

do male or female kittens grow faster?

Answer 24

male kittens grow faster - 45% heavier after one year

Question 25

why can cats not survive on dog food?

Answer 25

require higher amounts of protein plus essential nutrients from derived sources

Question 26

what are some factors/advice for feeding indoor cats?

Answer 26

Offer a reduced calorie diet if needed, to help prevent obesity and maintain a healthy body condition.

Always weigh the cat’s food (never estimate it).

Provide a diet that contains ingredients which help to reduce the frequency of hairballs and their symptoms, such as natural fibre.

Provide a diet that supports urinary tract health with a controlled mineral level.

Adopt a mixed feeding regime to boost moisture intake which further supports urinary tract health and helps cats maintain a healthy weight.

Question 27

when is a cat consider senior

Answer 27

8 years

Question 28

How do cats contrast to dogs in nutritional requirements?

Answer 28

do not exhibit an age related decline in metabolic ER or lean body mass to fat ratio

undertake similar levels of exercise, so that there are no obvious age related changes in physical activity

cats aged 11 years plus exhibit a significant decline in their ability to digest fat and protein - thus start losing weight (significant decline in energy digestibility.)

the cats with compromised digestive function increased their daily food intake to compensate for this effect suggesting that cats continue to control energy intake as they age.

Question 29

what is the condition called characterised by loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, and is seen in older cats.

Answer 29

Sarcopenia

Question 30

what can cause sarcopenia?

Answer 30

protein deficiency, systemic diseases, reduced activity levels, and musculoskeletal and neurologic disorders.

Question 31

What are important factors in seniors diets?

Answer 31

high quality and highly digestible protein

Question 32

what is a major cause of illness and death in older cats?

Answer 32

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

dietary modification through a kidney support diet can be implemented. This helps minimise the accumulation of end products of protein breakdown such as urea, as well as help slow the progression of disease.