Providing your feline friend with the nutrition they need is the key to having a healthy and happy pet. The first step is to understand the various types of nutrients your cat requires and why they’re important to their overall well-being. Let’s look at what a well-balanced diet consists of for the average feline.
Important Nutrients
Just like their pet parents, cats require a range of nutrients to thrive. These substances are used as an energy source and help to support your feline’s metabolism. Here is what you need to know about the specific dietary requirements.
Water—This is at the top of the list since if your pet isn’t getting enough, it can have serious consequences for their health. While their food may contain some water, it’s critical that your feline always have clean water easily accessible.
Protein—Proteins are necessary for cell growth, tissue, and organ development and the production of hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. In short, these substances assist your cat’s body to grow, maintain critical functioning, and repair damage. Soy, vegetables, and cereals all provide protein, but it is only animal-based substances that are considered complete proteins due to the amino acids they contain.
Amino acids—Amino acids are actually what comprise proteins. There are two kinds: essential and non-essential. Arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, taurine, threonine, tryptophan and valine are all essential amino acids. Taurine, for instance, is crucial for the health of your pet’s heart, vision, and reproductive system. Because your cat’s body cannot produce enough of them, essential amino acids must be part of their diet, and these are only found in animal-based proteins such as meat, fish, and eggs. Non-essential amino acids, as the name suggests, do not have to be acquired in food since your feline is able to synthesize these substances.
Fats—Fats provide energy. In comparison to proteins and carbohydrates, they offer more than twice as much energy. Fats have many roles, from producing hormones and building cells to absorbing vitamins, protecting organs, and insulating your cat’s body. Since essential fatty acids cannot be incorporated in sufficient quantities by your pet, they must be sourced in food. Essential fatty acids include omega-3 and omega-6, which help heal inflammation, support the joints, and more. One example of an omega-6 fatty acid is arachidonic acid that is needed for reproduction and kidney function, as well as maintaining the coat and skin.
Carbohydrates—This material promotes intestinal health and supplies energy to tissues. Fiber is a kind of carbohydrate that changes the mix of bacteria found in the small intestine to assist in the digestive process. Another type of carbohydrate is glucose. Although there is no minimum amount of carbohydrates that your feline requires, glucose is the exception, as a certain quantity must be present for supplying organs like the brain with energy.
Vitamins and minerals—Vitamins and minerals are other substances that, in general, the body cannot synthesize. This means they must be available in your cat’s diet. Vitamins are needed in small quantities for normal metabolic functioning. Minerals are also vital for metabolism and for balancing fluids and building strong bones and teeth.
Life Stages
Your feline friend has many nutritional needs as they mature. Understandably, kittens use up a lot of energy to develop a healthy body. Kittens have to be fed about five times each day, while adult cats should be fed once in the morning and again at dinner time. As your pet ages into their senior years, their nutritional requirements will also change. Your feline can do well on a high-quality commercially available pet food. Be cautious about incorporating vitamin or mineral supplements, as they can cause poisoning if intake is too high.
Typically, a healthy adult cat’s food needs will be based on their size and energy level. Some are more sedentary than others, while still others seem to be constantly on the go. Although felines spend a lot of their time sleeping, they are all different in this respect, too. Start with the manufacturer’s guidelines for how much kibble or canned food to serve and modify this in consideration of your pet’s energy output.
Further Feeding Advice
Remember that Fluffy or Felix can be impacted by illness at any stage of their lives, and this may mean an adjustment to their eating plan. With a health condition like diabetes or obesity, they will have special dietary needs. In this case, your veterinarian can guide you, and the animal clinic may stock the necessary food.
If your pet is recovering from surgery, they may require increased nutrition to help their body to heal, repair, and ward off infection. Again, your vet is the best person to ask for advice.
With a little education about essential nutrients and why your cat needs them, you’ll be well on your way to properly looking after your feline friend.
Important Facts about Nutrition for Cats
