Important to Know: What is the right thing to feed my cat?
With new cat food brands being produced it has become a bit of a minefield knowing what food to choose for your fluffy friend! “We are what we eat” is true to our pets, and often health solutions can be found by feeding the correct diet. There are some basics that need to be understood when it comes to feeding your cat, which we are going to delve into in this month's blog. Needless to say, nutrition is an enormous topic so if you would like to discuss more, then book a consultation and we can discuss your needs.
Quick Read:
Cats are obligate carnivores - meaning they need meat in their diet to get the right nutrients.
Cats need a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates to remain healthy.
Cats can get very poorly if they go 24 hours and longer without eating and/or continual vomiting.
Cats require different levels of nutrients based on their life-stage, size, breed, health status, whether they are pregnant/lactating and if they are neutered or intact.
Commercial diets who are members of the PFMA subscribe to a set of quality standards that ensure no deficiencies occur.
Feline Nutrition: The Basics
Cats are obligate carnivores. The need for meat in their diet is because there are certain amino acids cats are unable to make themselves. These amino acids can only be found in meat.
Exactly what to feed a cat varies with age, sex, activity etc., a starting guide to feline nutrition is understanding how much protein, carbohydrates, and fat they should have in their diet.
For an intact adult cat they should receive:
● More than 50% of their calories from protein
● 30% or more of their calories from fat
● 10% or less of their calories from carbohydrates
Where these figures may vary includes kittens, growing cats and pregnant cats, who will require a higher level of protein in their diet than that of an adult cat; due to protein being the main nutrient required for growing.
Protein:
The Primary Source of Amino Acids
Amino Acids are responsible for many functions within a body. Some amino acids can be created by the body, and as a result will rarely be deficient, whilst others cannot be made. These amino acids are known as essential amino acids, and deficiencies can occur leading to illness. See Box 1 for a list of possible concerns.
If cats do not get these amino acids in their diet they can become very ill quite quickly. They can also become deficient in these amino acids if they are vomiting for more than a day or refusing/unable to eat for 24 hours or more.
Essential Amino Acids
Taurine - Reproductive function, heart function and eyesight
Arginine - Removal of ammonia from the body, blood vessel relaxation (vasodilation) and the release of some hormones
Histidine - Structural function in proteins and a precursor for histamine (a compound released by cells in response to injury and in inflammatory and allergic reactions)
Lysine - Protein synthesis
Methionine - Synthesis of keratin (hair protein)
Phenylalanine - Production of thyroid hormones
Threonine - Energy production
Tryptophan - Hormone production
Fats
Although fat is not usually considered a good thing for dieting humans, it is actually a very important nutrient. Fat is both a rich source of energy, providing twice as much energy per gram than that of protein or carbohydrates, and also also provide the necessary environment in the gut for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Fats and oils provide different sources of essential fatty acids. Fatty acids have a broad role and are required for the maintenance of skin and coat, a strong immune system and reproductive function.
There are two types of fatty acids include:
● Saturated long-chain fatty acids
● Polyunsaturated fatty acids
Saturated long-chain fatty acids are used for energy as they are a dense in dietary calories, whilst Polyunsaturated fatty acids are required for fat-soluble vitamin absorption (Vitamins A, K, D and, E).
What are polyunsaturated fatty acids?
Polyunsaturated fatty acids are more commonly referred to as Omega-3 or Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids have different roles in the body; Omega-3 fatty acids can help improve the skin and coat condition and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help with cell oxygenation, which can be especially important in older cats as it can help cognitive function by improving brain oxygenation. Omega-6 fatty acids are required for reproductive health as they are involved in the synthesis of compounds (prostaglandins) that regulate several reproductive processes including ovulation and birthing. Omega-6 fatty acids also help keep the skin and coat healthy as well as supporting the immune system.
Carbohydrates
Compared to protein and fat, carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient for cats, the main reason being is that cats can synthesise their own blood glucose from amino acids. However, carbohydrates can be utilised in your cat's diet for energy and dietary fibre. Cats that are obese and/or have diabetes should be fed a low carbohydrate diet as a diet high in carbohydrates can make their condition worse.
So What Should I Feed My Cat?
Having read the above information, it can be confusing to know what to feed your cat. It is a safe position to start with commercial diets. Where a diet is labelled as a ‘complete’ diet, these should contain the minimum amount of essential nutrients for your cat be they wet food or dry food, and thus are safe.
Some pet food companies are registered with the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. Members of this association have to follow strict guidelines on the labelling of their foods, and they have to meet certain standards when manufacturing and producing their foods. The PFMA states: All members sign up to PFMA Charter and Codes of Practice annually, which detail the legal requirements and safety & quality standards they must meet. This helps ensure that the food they are producing contains the right nutrients for your pet and with safe ingredients.
If you are choosing to feed a home cooked diet, then this is where more mistakes are likely to be met. We would rarely advise creating a home cooked meal, however if you are certain this is what you would like, we recommend recruiting a feline nutritionist to help formulate a diet. This way you will ensure your cat’s needs are met and there is no risk for them getting any deficiencies.
If you would like any help or advice on what to feed your cat then please contact us.