What You Need to Know About Cat Nutrition
What You Need to Know About Cat Nutrition
Aside from proper diet, your cat also needs some specific nutrients to live a long and healthy life. Read this article to learn more about cat nutrition and types of food. You will also learn about the benefits of treats and dry food for your feline friend. You can start with dry food, but you may want to try out some raw meat too. This is the best source of protein for your cat and it is a great way to add variety to its diet.
What You Need to Know About Cat Nutrition
Necessary nutrients for cats
Essential fatty acids, or EFAs, are a necessary part of a cat’s diet. These fatty acids are naturally occurring in plants but must be obtained from animal sources. While they can make ALA from plant sources, cats do not make the conversion to GLA, which benefits their skin and coat. In addition to EFAs, cats also need fat. Fat helps in nutrient utilization, aids in cell integrity, and regulates metabolism. Fatty acids in cat food include: omega-3 fatty acids (ALA), omega-6 fatty acids (ALA), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
While carbohydrates are not commonly thought of as essential nutrients for cats, they provide highly digestible energy and should be included in all types of cat food. Grain products such as wheat and rice are a good source of carbohydrates, which cats can absorb easily. Most wet cat foods contain grains as added ingredients. Be sure to purchase pretreated grains and avoid uncooked legumes, as they contain antinutritional factors. This is not a comprehensive list of essential nutrients for cats.
Vitamins and minerals are crucial for proper functioning of organs. Vitamins A, E, and K are essential to the development of strong bones, teeth, and organs. Insufficient amounts of these nutrients can cause a variety of problems in cats. Cats, like humans, do not have strong thirst drives. Chronic dehydration is a common cause of death among older cats. Fortunately, there are several foods that provide a complete range of nutrients for cats.
Cat food types
As a cat owner, you’ve probably wondered what’s the best kind of food for your cat. Thankfully, there are many different options. Choosing the right type of food for your cat can be tricky, but there are some key differences between the two. Here’s an overview. Cats need proteins from animal sources, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and by-products. These foods contain essential amino acids like taurine, which cats need in order to function properly.
One of the most common types of canned food is meat in gravy. This is packed with meat chunks and contains more fats and calories than dry cat food. This type is cheaper, but it’s often harder to find, and the flavor is sometimes lost in the process. Some pet food brands include vegetables in their meat-based products, though these are less likely to be cat favorites. Canned food is a good choice for a cat that enjoys the taste of meat.
Regardless of which type of food you choose, it’s important to choose one with no grains or artificial sweeteners. Cats’ diets are extremely sensitive to these ingredients, so make sure your cat eats foods that are grain-free and high in meat protein. These foods are close to what cats would eat in the wild, so it’s like giving a child a plate of broccoli after a meal at McDonald’s.
Treats
If you are a cat owner, you should provide treats for your feline friend. While occasional treats aren’t harmful, they are usually not nutritionally complete. A healthy treat should only comprise about 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily caloric intake. However, some foods should be avoided entirely. While raw meat and fish are beneficial for your feline friend, they can also carry dangerous pathogens. Cans of fish, for example, have also been linked to neurological disorders in cats.
While choosing a cat treat, make sure to pay close attention to the flavor. While some cats enjoy fishy flavors, others prefer plain chicken. As a cat owner, your first priority should always be its health. Fortunately, there are treats formulated for healthy diets with additional health benefits. There are also treats designed to enhance your feline friend’s experience. Listed below are some treats for cat nutrition:
Salmon is one of the best sources of protein for your feline friend. This ingredient provides ample protein while containing healthy fats and fiber. In addition, this product contains live probiotics that keep your feline friend’s gut healthy. A single serving of this tasty treat contains only 18 calories, and the guaranteed analysis of the product shows it to contain 36% crude protein, 30% fat, 15% crude fiber, and six percent moisture. The company claims that each piece contains two million live probiotics. A cat may not like these treats, but they are a good choice for multi-cat households.
Dry food
Cats require certain nutrients to stay healthy. Essential nutrients include amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Some, like taurine, are necessary for proper cat health. Look for a dry cat food that meets minimum requirements for all three. Some brands will even have specific dietary requirements, such as diets for diabetic cats. Dry cat food can be expensive, so choose a high-quality brand to ensure your pet gets the right nutrition. Listed below are some examples of high-quality dry cat foods.
Dry food has several benefits over wet food. First, it’s easy to transport and store. Second, it’s easier to clean up than wet cat food. Wet food requires us to wash dishes after each meal, but dry food only requires rinsing the cat afterward. Dry food also tends to contain more sodium and can lead to dehydration. Lastly, the extended shelf life of dry food can increase your cat’s risk of obesity.
For a high-quality dry cat food, try Blue Buffalo’s Weight Control. It contains an optimal blend of animal protein and calories to help your cat reach its ideal body weight. Blue Buffalo Weight Control also contains vegetables and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as essential vitamins and minerals. It also contains less heat, which helps make it more digestible and easier to digest for cats. A few brands are even grain-free.
Canned food
Whether you choose to provide your cat with dry or canned food, the question of what is best for your cat will depend on your lifestyle and the laboratory tests your cat has received. Ideally, your cat should consume a diet based on their specific lab values, including kidney and liver functions. However, comparing wet and dry food is like comparing apples to oranges; you must first convert the percentages of wet food to dry matter.
For adult cats, it is best to begin feeding your cat with canned food by starting them off on 1/2 of a 5.5-oz. can twice a day. For small cats, start with a third of an ounce. Canned food provides the right balance of calories and fullness for your cat. Unlike dry cat food, your cat’s canned food meals will tide them over between meals. If you feed your cat a little bit more, it may get too hungry.
While most cats love to consume foods with a meaty flavor, many pet food manufacturers go to great lengths to make starch-based dry food palatable for our feline friends. To make kibbles palatable for cats, manufacturers coat them with animal digest, a chemically or enzymatically digested byproduct of animals. These unnatural protein forms can trigger an immune response and contribute to food allergies and inflammatory bowel disease.
Homemade diets
While some people are tempted to make their own cat food, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian before making a change. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat animal organs and tissue in order to thrive. For thousands of years, humans have prepared species-specific foods for them. This diet consists of protein-rich meat, which is high in vitamins and minerals.
One of the biggest concerns about homemade diets is that the ingredients in them may not be safe for cats. The current pet food recall is thought to be a result of contamination in a “food grade” product that is fit for human consumption. While homemade diets often contain higher-grade ingredients, there’s always a risk of introducing contaminants. Homemade food may be healthier, but that doesn’t mean it’s entirely free of toxins.
Homemade cat diets are safe to feed, but if you’re unsure, consult your veterinarian. Cats require a high-quality diet that includes meat, bones, and other nutritious ingredients. You can make your own diet by combining ingredients like raw meat with vegetables and grains. Be sure to give your cat small portions to ensure that they don’t miss a meal. Cat food fortified with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes can help them stay healthy and active.
