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Most cat owners are not veterinary nutritionists, so we don’t really know that much about cat nutrition. We usually just trust that if we buy a top rated cat food and feed them the occasional treat, that all of their nutritional needs will be met. However it’s good to know the basics of cat nutrition so you can make smart decision about your cat’s health.
So here is a rundown of everything you need to know about cat nutrition.
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores
Cats are obligate carnivores which means that in order to stay healthy the majority of their diet needs to come from meat. In the wild, cats eat every part of their prey including their bones, fur and feathers, and organs. So it is crucial that any cat’s diet includes meats, organs, and even bones. Cats require high amounts of protein and fat to survive. Cats cannot digest protein or fat from vegetarian sources properly, so these proteins and fats must come from meat sources. Cat needs protein for growth, repair, and energy. They need fat for healing, organ function, and healthy blood. Cats also need a lot of the amino acids that can only be found in meat. Basically meat is the most essential part of a cat’s diet.
Cats Need Specific Amino Acids
Cats need 22 different amino acids to have a healthy body. Of those 22 amino acids, there are 11 essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are amino acids that cats have to get from food sources because their bodies cannot produce them naturally. These 11 essential amino acids are:
- Arginine
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Taurine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Cats can get most of these amino acids from a variety of food sources but they absolutely need to eat meat to get arginine and taurine.
Cats Need To Eat Their Greens
Cats need greens for healthy digestion. In the wild cats will occasionally munch on greens to help soothe an upset stomach, trigger a bowel movement, and reduce bloating and gas. They also get some key vitamins and minerals from greens so they are essential for a healthy diet.
Domestic Cats Need Fiber
In the wild, cats do not need to eat fiber. Instead they eat the fur and feathers of their prey which are not digestible and help stool move through the cat naturally. However since domestic cats do not eat their entire prey and are usually only fed cuts of meat, they need to have fiber added to their diet. Fiber helps aid digestion and ensures that a cat has proper, healthy bowel movements. The best sources of fiber for cats come from bran and pumpkin.
Cats Hate Carbs
Cats do not need that many carbohydrates since most of their energy comes from protein. Cats only need about 3-5% of their diet to come from carbohydrates. Cats do not have the ability to utilize excess carbohydrates, so too many carbs in a diet can cause obesity and diabetes. They can also trigger food intolerances and allergies. So think low carb diet when feeding a cat.
Essential Nutrients For Cats
Cats have very specific nutritional needs. Here is a rundown of the key vitamins and minerals a cat needs and how they support a cat’s health:
- Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for the skin, fur, and eye health of a cat. It is an essential antioxidant and helps ward against cancer and inflammation.
- Vitamin B: B vitamins are crucial for your cat’s health. Cats need niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and B12 or they can develop serious chronic illnesses. These B vitamins provide energy and are critical for brain, nerve, and muscle function.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the immune system but also wards against urinary tract infections which are common among cats.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps support healthy bones, as well as proper nerve and muscle function.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is another crucial antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps protect against cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Vitamin E also promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- Vitamin K: Vitamin K is necessary for helping cats build strong bones and preventing heart disease. It is also an essential nutrient for blood clotting.
- Iron: Iron helps cats develop healthy red blood cells and produce energy.
- Calcium: Calcium is important for bone formation and muscle and nervous control.
- Magnesium: Magnesium supports metabolic functions and energy.
- Potassium: Potassium is essential for heart, nerve, and muscle function. Potassium also helps your cat stay hydrated.
- Phosphorous: Phosphorous is essential for bone development and metabolic function.
- Sodium: Sodium supports healthy nervous system, heart, and brain function.
- Chlorine: Chlorine is crucial to balancing amino acids and supports the nervous system.
- Copper: Copper helps build and repair connective tissue like ligaments and tendons.
- Zinc: Zinc also helps build and repair connective tissue.
Cats Need Omega Fatty Acids
Cats need both omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Cats need the Omega-3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) support their immune system and nervous system function. They also need the omega-6 fatty acids linoleic acid (LA), gamma linolenic acid (GLA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), and arachidonic acid (AA) for proper brain function. Omega fatty acids also reduce allergies and inflammation, and are critical for preventing cancer, heart disease, and blindness. Omega fatty acids also keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy and shiny.
These are the basic things you need to know about cat nutrition. As obligate carnivores, cats have unique nutritional needs. They need a meat-rich high protein, low carbohydrate diet loaded with amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. They also need fiber and their greens. Most top rated cat foods meet the basic needs of cat nutrition but armed with this information you can compare different cat foods to ensure that your cat is getting the best nutrition available.
