Effective Tips for Enhancing a Cat's Cheek Puff
Preface:
Not every cat will develop cheeks, as this is a characteristic typically seen in male cats. The likelihood of a cat developing cheeks can also be influenced by its breed. Cats such as Sphynx, calico, Devon Rex, and Siamese cats rarely develop cheeks. If your cat belongs to a breed that is unlikely to develop cheeks, it's advisable not to overfeed your pet in an attempt to induce cheek development, as this could lead to excessive weight gain.
Now, let's delve into the main topic:
How to Help Your Cat Develop Cheeks?
1. Regular Deworming: Parasites can hinder a cat's normal growth and development, leading to weight loss which is detrimental to cheek development. Therefore, it's crucial for cat owners to deworm their pets regularly. Cats over three months old should be dewormed monthly, both internally and externally. Internal deworming can be achieved with Panacur's Praziquantel tablets, while external deworming can be done with Advocate spoton solution or by considering a combination of ivermectin topical solution for both internal and external deworming.
2. Balanced Diet: As obligate carnivores, cats primarily metabolize protein, making the protein content in their diet essential. It's recommended to feed your cat highquality cat food with a protein content of 35% or more. If the cat food doesn't meet this requirement, consider supplementing with additional protein sources such as canned meat, boiled chicken breast, beef, egg yolks, fish, shrimp, etc. Avoid feeding raw meat to prevent parasitic infections or other pathogens.
3. Nutritional Supplementation: During the growth phase, it's important to ensure a balanced diet for kittens. You can supplement their diet with vitamins and trace elements, including amino acids, taurine, calcium, vitamin B, and vitamin D. These nutrients not only boost the cat's immunity but also aid in cheek development.
Cheek Development Misconceptions:
Should I Feed My Cat Nutritional Supplements Daily?
Some cat owners opt to feed their pets nutritional supplements daily in hopes of facilitating cheek development, especially when they lack time to prepare other meals.
However, nutritional supplements are high in calories and are generally intended for cats that are unwilling to eat due to illness, those on a fasting regimen, or postpartum cats, as these animals are more fragile and require rapid nutritional replenishment.
Longterm feeding of nutritional supplements to cats can lead to picky eating, obesity, or digestive issues. Therefore, it's unnecessary to feed your cat nutritional supplements daily just to promote cheek development.
These are some tips to help your cat develop cheeks. If you have any further questions, feel free to consult an online veterinary expert.