How to feed my cat properly

Feeding the Siberian cat: needs that change throughout life

Like all felines, the Siberian cat is an obligate carnivore whose nutritional needs vary considerably depending on age, activity level, physiological status (neutered, pregnant, nursing) and overall health. A growing kitten does not have the same requirements as an active adult or a senior whose metabolism is slowing down.

Choosing food that is adapted to each stage of your cat’s life helps maintain a healthy balance, prevent obesity, deficiencies or excesses, and protect their long‑term health. At the Chatterie du Siberian Express, we guide owners through these choices so that every cat receives the diet best suited to their current needs.

BARF vs commercial food: which is best for your Siberian cat?

Nutrition is a major concern for Siberian cat owners, and two main approaches tend to stand out: BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), based on raw meat and raw meaty bones, and commercial diets (kibble or wet food) formulated to cover all of a cat’s nutritional needs. Each option has its own benefits and constraints, which you should understand before making a decision.

BARF: a natural, species-appropriate diet

BARF is built on the idea of feeding the cat as a strict carnivore, with raw meat, organs, raw meaty bones and, where needed, specific supplements (taurine, vitamins, oils). This approach aims to mimic the cat’s ancestral diet and may offer several advantages: better digestibility, smaller stools, a shinier coat, high food satisfaction and a limited carbohydrate intake.

However, BARF requires great discipline in preparing and balancing meals to avoid deficiencies (calcium, taurine, vitamins A and E) and excesses (vitamin A, phosphorus). The sanitary risks linked to bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria) and parasites (toxoplasmosis) mean that raw meat must be handled and stored with extreme care, especially in households with young children, immunocompromised people or pregnant women. Raw meaty bones must be chosen carefully to avoid choking, blockages or perforations, and daily preparation demands time, freezer space and a financial investment often higher than for commercial food.

Commercial diets: convenience and nutritional safety

High-quality kibble and wet food (premium or veterinary ranges) are formulated to meet all of a cat’s needs at each life stage (kitten, adult, senior, neutered, sensitive). They offer several advantages: guaranteed nutritional balance, easy storage and feeding, generally controlled cost, microbiological safety and ingredient traceability. Kibble can also help, to some extent, with dental hygiene thanks to the mechanical effect of chewing

That said, not all kibbles are created equal: some low-end products contain large amounts of cereals, low-quality proteins, colourings or artificial flavour enhancers. It is essential to read labels and favour foods rich in high-quality animal protein, low in cereals and free from unnecessary additives. Because dry food is low in moisture, it can contribute to poor hydration if the cat does not drink enough, so it is wise to add wet food and provide a water fountain.

Foods you should never feed your cat

Whichever feeding method you choose (BARF or commercial), some common household foods are toxic, or even deadly, for cats and must be strictly avoided:

Toxic foods

Chocolate: contains theobromine, which is toxic to the heart and nervous system and can be fatal even in small amounts.
Onion, garlic, shallot, leek: cause destruction of red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia), even when cooked, powdered or dried.
Grapes and raisins: can trigger acute kidney failure, even in small quantities.
Avocado: contains persin, toxic to the cat’s heart and lungs.
Alcohol: extremely dangerous, can cause coma and death at very low doses.
Caffeine and tea: can lead to heart problems, tremors and hyperactivity.
Macadamia nuts: can cause neurological and digestive disorders.
Xylitol (sweetener): can cause severe hypoglycaemia and liver failure.

Dangerous or unsuitable foods

Cooked bones: splinter into sharp pieces, risking perforation or gut blockage (unlike raw meaty bones used in BARF).
Milk and dairy products: most adult cats are lactose intolerant, which can cause diarrhoea and digestive upset.
Canned tuna for humans: in excess, can lead to deficiencies (especially taurine and vitamin E) and heavy metal toxicity.
Raw egg white: contains avidin, which blocks biotin (vitamin B8) absorption and can cause skin and neurological problems.
Raw dough (bread, pizza): yeast ferments in the stomach, causing bloating, pain and alcohol production.
Large amounts of liver: can cause vitamin A toxicity, leading to bone deformities and liver issues.
Raw potato, tomato and aubergine: contain solanine, which is toxic for cats.

If your cat has eaten one of these foods: contact your vet or a veterinary poison control centre immediately, giving details of the food, the quantity and the approximate time of ingestion. Never try to make your cat vomit without veterinary advice.

The Chatterie du Siberian Express approach

At the cattery, kittens are fed a high-quality premium commercial diet tailored to the growth and specific needs of Siberian cats. This choice allows us to guarantee optimal nutritional balance, good food safety and an easier dietary transition for new owners.

We remain open to BARF for families who are genuinely committed to it, provided the diet is properly balanced, monitored by a vet or feline nutritionist, and implemented with strict hygiene practices. In all cases, any dietary change must be introduced gradually over 7 to 10 days to avoid digestive upset and unnecessary stress for the kitten

Our recommendations

If you choose BARF: work with a veterinary nutritionist, use validated recipes with appropriate supplements (taurine, calcium), freeze meat for at least 3 days at −18°C to limit parasites, and follow strict hygiene rules for handling and storage.
If you choose commercial food: opt for premium kibbles or wet food rich in animal protein, with no or few cereals, and pay close attention to your cat’s hydration (water fountain, wet food alongside kibble).

Whichever option you pick, the key is to provide a balanced diet suited to your cat’s age and activity level so that they can stay healthy throughout their life. The Chatterie du Siberian Express team is always available to advise and support you with these choices before and after adoption.

How much should I feed my Siberian cat?

Finding the right amount of food for your Siberian cat is essential to maintaining an ideal body weight, preventing obesity and protecting their long‑term health. The ideal daily ration depends on several factors: age, weight, activity level, physiological status (neutered or entire, pregnant, nursing) and the type of diet you choose (kibble, wet food, BARF).

Your cat’s energy needs

A healthy adult cat’s energy requirement is usually between 50 and 70 kcal per kilogram of bodyweight per day for an active, non‑neutered cat. This requirement drops by around 20–30% after neutering, because the metabolism slows while appetite often increases, so an indoor neutered cat will typically need about 40–50 kcal/kg/day.

Examples of daily needs for a neutered adult cat:

4 kg cat: about 160–200 kcal/day
5 kg cat: about 200–250 kcal/day
6 kg cat: about 240–300 kcal/day

Kittens, pregnant or nursing queens have much higher energy needs (up to 2–3 times more) and must be fed a specific “kitten” or “gestation/lactation” diet.

Calculating the ration according to the food

Kibble

Kibble packaging usually states the energy density (kcal/100 g). Once you know this figure, you can calculate the daily quantity as follows:

Daily ration (g) = Cat’s daily energy needs (kcal/day) ÷ Kibble energy value (kcal/100 g) × 100

Example: neutered 5 kg cat, needs 220 kcal/day, kibble at 380 kcal/100 g →
Ration = 220 ÷ 380 × 100 ≈ 58 g of kibble per day.

Manufacturer guidelines on the bag are averages, so always adjust according to your cat’s body condition (feeling the ribs, looking at the waistline).

Wet food

Wet food is usually less calorie‑dense than kibble (around 70–100 kcal/100 g) because it contains a lot of water (75–85%), meaning the volume fed will be higher.

Example: neutered 5 kg cat, needs 220 kcal/day, wet food at 85 kcal/100 g →
Ration = 220 ÷ 85 × 100 ≈ 260 g per day (roughly 3 pouches of 85–100 g).

Mixed feeding (kibble + wet food)

Many owners combine kibble and wet food to balance convenience, hydration and palatability. In this case, you simply split the daily calorie allowance between the two food types.

Example: 5 kg cat, needs 220 kcal/day →
30 g of kibble (380 kcal/100 g) = 114 kcal

1 pouch of 100 g wet food (85 kcal/100 g) = 85 kcal
Total ≈ 199 kcal, close to the target.

BARF

With a BARF diet, the daily ration for an adult cat generally represents 2–4% of bodyweight, depending on activity level and individual metabolism.

A 5 kg cat would therefore receive between 100 and 200 g of meat, organs and raw meaty bones per day, split into two meals. Growing kittens can receive up to 8–10% of their bodyweight in food per day.

Adjusting the ration to body condition

Regularly observing and handling your cat is more reliable than theoretical calculations:

Stable weight, harmonious shape, ribs easy to feel under a thin layer of fat: ration is appropriate.
Progressive weight gain, ribs hard to feel, waist disappearing: reduce the ration by 10–15% and increase physical activity (play sessions, cat tree, interactive toys).
Weight loss, very visible ribs, dull coat: increase the ration by 10–15% and see a vet to rule out underlying disease.

Splitting meals

Most cats prefer eating small amounts several times a day. You can:

Leave kibble available if your cat self‑regulates well (often easier for active, non‑neutered cats).
Split the daily ration into 2–4 meals, especially for neutered cats or those prone to weight gain.
Use an automatic feeder or puzzle feeders/food‑dispensing toys to slow eating and encourage activity.

Our approach at Chatterie du Siberian Express

When your kitten leaves the cattery, we provide full details of the type and amount of food they are used to, as well as their feeding schedule. Any dietary change should be introduced gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.

We are always available to help you adjust the ration as your cat grows and their circumstances change: kitten growth, transition to adulthood, neutering, weight gain or loss. Regular weighing (monthly for kittens, every 3–6 months for adults) and an annual veterinary check‑up make it easier to detect any imbalance early.

The most important thing is that your Siberian stays healthy, active and happy, with a diet that respects their physiological needs and day‑to‑day wellbeing.