What to Feed Your Siberian Cat
When it comes to cat food, there is a world of options, but not all of them are breed-friendly for Siberian cats. Siberian cats are natural hunters, and their diet in the wild consists of raw meat. So feeding them a wet or raw diet instead of just kibble is essential for their overall health and well-being. And no, your cat cannot be a vegetarian.
Dry Food: Dry food is a cheap and convenient feeding option, and many people (even vets) recommend it. However, feeding it on its own can cause urinary tract disease, dehydration, and diabetes. This is because dry food lacks moisture, which can lead to concentrated urine and, over time, can cause urinary tract issues. Its lack of moisture can also end up dehydrating your cat. Dry kibble has lots of empty carbs and fillers that are stored in the cat’s body and cause obesity. Think of dry kibble as junk food - it is cheap and tastes good, but it has no nutritional value. Whatever you do, DO NOT feed your cat only kibble!
Note: I mention some kibble alternatives and better ways of feeding kibble to cats at the bottom of the page.
Raw Food: Feeding a raw diet to your Siberian cat is a great way to mimic their natural diet. Raw food is high in protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass and healthy skin and coat. Additionally, raw food is free from any artificial preservatives and additives that are often found in processed foods. However, it is important to note that raw feeding requires research and preparation to ensure that the diet is balanced and meets your cat's nutritional needs. You also need to be aware of any bacterial contamination that can come from raw meat.
Wet Food: If you're not ready (or able) to switch to a raw diet, feeding wet food is still a great option to ensure that your Siberian cat is getting the moisture and nutrients they need. However, it is important to choose a high-quality wet food that is free from any artificial preservatives and additives. Look for wet foods that contain real meat as the first ingredient and are free from any by-products or fillers.
Here are some of our favorite wet food products (not endorsed):
Smalls: This is a refrigerated wet food that is delivered frozen to your door. It has no preservatives or additives, and it is safe to feed your cat. However it is on the pricier side, so it is not the most budget friendly option.
FreshPet: This is refrigerated moist food that is available in most pet stores and grocery stores. You can buy loaf form for meals or moist kibble as a fun snack (our Queen Nikita adores FreshPet kibble).
Nulo Freestyle: Nulo Freestyle is a canned wet food brand. It uses real meat and natural ingredients. It also has a line of quality kibble. Even though this dry food is an option we still don’t recommend kibble be a regular part of your Siberian cat’s diet.
Stella and Chewys: This is freeze-dried food. You simply add warm water to the freeze-dried pellets and feed them to your cat.
Tiki Cat: This brand offers a variety of canned food, treats, meal toppers, and kibble.
A Note On Balance: We do understand that there are price constraints when it comes to buying pet food. So you can mix some dry food into the wet food to bulk it up. Do not feed only dry food to your Siberian. If you use a dry food, find a high-quality brand such as Nulo Freestyle or Bixbie. Cheap brands contain fillers that your cat should not eat. And don’t forget to have fresh water available 24/7.
No matter what diet you feed your cat, do some additional research to make sure they are eating a sufficient amount of fat, amino acids, and pro/prebiotics. Many of these come in powdered form that you can sprinkle on-top of meals to make sure your cat is getting sufficient nutrients.
