What is the best dry food for neutered cats in 2024?
Recently neutered cats have a tendency to become overweight, so they need to eat dry food that’s adapted to their new metabolism. It’s not always easy to make the right choice, so we’ve put together a buyer’s guide to help you pick the best option.
Whatever the sex or age of your cat, it's important to give them less calorie-dense food right from the start of their recovery. Dry food for neutered cats comes in many different ranges, so you're spoilt for choice when it comes to pleasing your pet and looking after their health.
We recommend going with premium and organic options, which are better in quality than regular cat food. You can also opt for grain-free cat food, which is perfectly suited to animals with digestion issues. Remember, neutered cat food is only intended for neutered or spayed animals. Don't hesitate to consult your vet for advice on the recommended daily food intake.
Find out right now which cat food is best for neutered cats by reading through our comparison. You'll be able to take the best care of your favourite feline as soon as they come back from the operation!
Summary
- Why buy cat food for neutered cats?
- Do I really need to buy special dry food for neutered cats?
- How do I choose dry food for neutered cats?
- Is there a brand to favour when it comes to neutered dry cat food?
- Should I choose organic, grain-free or premium dry food for neutered cats?
- Can I give neutered cat food to an animal that has not been sterilised?
Why buy cat food for neutered cats?
Regardless of their age, neutered cats need specific nutrition. Both male and female neutered cats tend to gain weight. After being neutered, their metabolism changes and they become less active. As a result, their energy needs go down by 20 to 30% but at the same time their appetite tends to increase! That is why dry food for neutered cats contains less fat and more fibre, minerals and protein. It’s important to feed your pet dry neutered cat food because obesity in cats can lead to health problems of varying degrees of severity, like respiratory failure, heart failure, urinary stones, osteoarthritis or diabetes.
Do I really need to buy special dry food for neutered cats?
Yes, it is essential for your pet’s wellbeing. If you continue giving your cat regular food after neutering, they will quickly gain weight. Sterlisation also leads to a decrease in sex hormones (testosterone and oestrogen) and estradiol levels drop, even in males. The reduced hormone production causes an increase in appetite and neutered cats also accumulate fat much quicker. You should give your pet lighter dry food as soon as they return from being fixed. In fact, cats start eating more in the first three days after starting their recovery. Excess weight can become a significant issue within 7 weeks.
How do I choose dry food for neutered cats?
The quality of dry cat food should be your main consideration. Having a balanced and adapted diet is essential for your pet’s health, especially right after sterilisation. Next on the list of criteria is your cat's taste preferences. You can find dry cat food with salmon, tuna, chicken or a variety of other equally appetising flavours. You should also keep in mind the age of your kitty, as there are sterilised cat food options for all ages. Don't hesitate to use online comparison services to find the best and most affordable food for neutered cats. You can also join cat lovers' forums if you’re looking for more feeding tips.
Is there a brand to favour when it comes to neutered dry cat food?
It all depends on what you're looking for and what your neutered cat likes. The most important thing is to choose a premium brand, as it guarantees quality. Some brands specialise in grain-free cat food, while others only offer wet food for neutered cats. There are also brands out there that offer a wider range of flavours. To make sure you buy premium kibble, check its composition: avoid anything made up exclusively of animal by products (such as cartilage or skin). Furthermore, you may need to visit specialised stores to find premium brands. Neutered cat food sold in supermarkets is of lower quality.
Should I choose organic, grain-free or premium dry food for neutered cats?
Premium food is perfect for cats that have just been neutered. After the operation, your pet will be somewhat weak and need high-quality food. Premium cat food is made with the best ingredients and guarantees balanced meals without any deficiencies. If you choose organic cat food, your cat won’t be consuming any artificial substances that could complicate their digestion. In addition, such kibbles contain high quality fibres that facilitate transit. Grain-free dry food for neutered cats is easy to digest and contains very few carbohydrates, which further reduces the risk of excessive weight gain. So the best option is to buy kibbles that combine all three of these characteristics.
Can I give neutered cat food to an animal that has not been sterilised?
This is not recommended, as unsterilised cats have much higher energy needs than neutered ones. If you feed your unsterilised cat such neutered cat food, they will quickly experience nutritional deficiencies. This lighter food isn’t suited to more active animals. Kittens may even suffer from stunted growth as they need a more balanced diet to develop normally. If your pet is overweight, your vet may advise you to switch to a diet for neutered cats. However, you should not be making this decision on your own without seeking medical advice.