Like humans, cats pass through several lifestages - from kitten
to adult cat, and finally senior years later in life.
Yet unlike humans, a cats ageing process is much quicker.
Find out what lifestage your cat is at, and what type of nutrition
they require to help them live life to the full.
With this comes physical change which calls for tailored
nutrition to ensure your cat receives exactly what he or she
requires.
Although you may see the changes in your kittenas it grows into
an adult, you may not see any signs that your cat has transitioned
into a mature cat. Unlike dogs, as cats age they tend to maintain a
similar appearance despite physiological changes. The chart below
illustrates the age at which these transitions occur, and what
products are best suited to your cat's nutrition at that
lifestage.
Kittens experience many physical changes as
they develop into adult cats. Physical size and shape change as the
bones lengthen and harden, joints mature and muscles, ligaments and
tendons all grow to adult size. The coat changes from a soft,
immature one to a denser adult coat, sometimes with two distinct
layers - an undercoat and an overcoat. Baby or deciduous teeth fall
out and are replaced with permanent adult teeth.
The immune system matures as it faces
challenges from vaccines and natural exposure to germs. The
gastrointestinal and urinary tracts mature and kittens learn very
quickly how to control their bodily functions as they become
litter-trained.
All of these changes take place in a
relatively short time span when you compare cat and human
development. It is important to change to an Adult diet once growth
is no longer required.
The OPTIMUM Adult cat food is complete and
balanced and provides all the nutrients your fully grown cat needs
to help maintain strong muscles, healthy digestion and a shiny
coat.
OPTIMUM™ for
Kittens
OPTIMUM™ for Adult Cats
A cat's metabolic rate decreases with age and
so older cats can risk becoming overweight if their diet is not
modified appropriately to contain fewer calories.
It is a good idea to monitor your cat's
weight on a regular basis. This may entail using the bathroom
scales, a trip to the vet, or simply picking up your cat and
feeling the ribs to see if there seems to be excess fat. Often
early intervention makes all the difference if there is a weight
problem.
Mature cats tend to be more sedentary and
sometimes it can be difficult to tell if they are experiencing
joint problems such as arthritis.
If your cat no longer enjoys being picked up
and cuddled, or no longer tolerates being groomed by you, it could
be a sign of joint or spinal discomfort.
OPTIMUM Mature is designed to meet the unique
needs of older cats, providing them all the nutrients cats require
for optimal health as they age.
OPTIMUM™ for
Mature Cats