Feline Nutrition

Meat First!

As a hunter, the cat is adapted to an almost exclusively meat diet. Her digestive system, behaviour and jaws accommodate this hunting lifestyle and as a result she has special nutritional needs that other carnivores, such as dogs, do not. Protein, and lots of it!
Cats need animal tissue (ie. chicken, turkey or mice if allowed outdoors to hunt) in their diet and they need more protein than many mammals. The cat's metabolism appears to break down amino acids in protein at a higher rate than other species, which means they need more protein to compensate.

Two of the most important amino acids are arginine and taurine. Arginine helps the cat synthesize urea, waste produced by the breakdown of protein. Taurine, found almost exclusively in meat, cannot be produced by the cat in sufficient quantities to meet her needs, so it must be included in her diet.

What else does my cat need in her diet?

A little fat please! This concentrated energy source helps make food more palatable and adds texture. It also carries fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E, and supplies essential fatty acids which help maintain healthy skin, kidneys and reproductive organs.

Vitamins: Studies indicate that the antioxidant vitamins (C, E and A) are important in helping to prevent cell damage by substances called "free radicals." Some studies also claim vitamins may help protect against certain cancers. Regardless, cats need vitamins, just as we do. Here are some of the most important:

A - helps with vision, healthy bones and teeth and other body processes. The cat must obtain Vitamin A from animal sources (such as kidney and liver meat) because, unlike many other mammals, she can't break down Vitamin A from plant sources. But remember - too much can be harmful, a little goes a long way!

D - helps metabolize calcium.

E - although uncommon, a vitamin E deficiency is possible if the cat is fed with food high in saturated fats and unsupplemented with antioxidants. Because these fats quickly go rancid, any existing vitamin E is destroyed.

C - cats are able to produce this vitamin on their own. How convenient!

B group - most of the B vitamins help the body utilize food and convert energy. Thiamin (B1) is needed in fairly large quantities and pet food manufacturers generally add the pure form of this vitamin to processed food.

Minerals: There are two types of minerals - macro (required in larger amounts) and micro (required in smaller amounts). Producers of quality pet foods supplement these minerals as required during manufacture.

Water: Water sustains life and is the most important nutrient of all! Always ensure your cat has fresh, clean water available at all times.

These are just a few guidelines covering some of the nutritional items to consider when selecting your cat's food. Generally, more expensive food is worth the cost but always read the ingredients and try to choose a food with pure ingredients, instead of byproducts. Remember, select a high quality, premium food for your cat, and he or she will reward you with years of healthy (and loving) companionship!!

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