Cats are strict carnivores that rely on nutrients in animal tissues to
meet their specific and unique
nutritional requirements. In their natural habitat, cats
consume prey high in protein with moderate
amounts of fat and small
amounts of carbohydrates. Thus, they are metabolically
adapted for higher
metabolism of proteins and lower utilization of
carbohydrates than dogs or other omnivores. Although
cats can use carbohydrates as a source of metabolic energy,
they have limited ability to spare proteinutilizaton by using carbohydrats
instead. Therefore, teir diet should be comprised of proteins,
fats,carohydrates, vitamins, mierals and water in the orrect proportions. A cat food that meets
these requirements is called a “Complete” or “Balanced” dit. The amount of food
a cat requires depends on the cat’ age, breed, gender, acivity, temperament,
environment and metabolism.
Proteins
Comprised of 23 diffrent amino acids, protens are often
called the “building blocks” of the tissues. The cat’s body can manufacture 12
of these amino acids. The other 11 amino acids, however, must come
from dietary meat and plant sources and are called the
“essential amino acids”.The biological value of a protein is a measure of that
protein’s ability to supply amino acids, particularly the 11 essential amino
acids, and to supply these amino acids in the proper proportions. In
general,animal proteins (meat, by-product meal) have higher biological value
than vegetable proteins (soybean meal, corn gluten meal). Taurine, an amino
acid present only in animal tissues, is one of the essential amino acids for
cats needed to sustain normal cardiovascular, reproductive, and visual
performance. Cats require a dietary source of taurine because they cann't
synthesize enough taurine from dietary precursors. Arginine is essential in the
feline diet to promote detoxification of nitrogenous waste products.
Fats
Fats are used to supply energy, essntial fatty acids and
promote absorption of fat-soluble Vitam ins A, D, E and K. In addition, fats
make a diet more palatable to a cat and help to maintain a healthy skin and
haircoat. Compared to dogs, cats require dietary sources of
both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid. The
requirement of both fatty acids arises from cats’ inability
to synthesize arachidonic acid from linoleic acid.
If a cat’s diet is very high in fat it may result in the cat
eating excessive amount of energy that may
predispose to weight gain and obesity. If the fat becomes
rancid, it destroys fat soluble vitamins and also essential fatty acids,
leading to deficiencies. Commercial cat foods contain special natural or
synthetic additives called “antioxidants” to prevent the loss of these
essential nutrients .
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide energy and are made up primarily of
sugars, starches and cellulose (fiber). Carbohydrates are supplied in the diet
from plant sources such as grains and vegetables. Despite the cat’s adaptation
to a low-carbohydrate diet, they are very efficient in starch and simple sugar
utilization. The starch levels found in commercial cat foods (up to 35% of the
food dry matter) are well-tolerated.
Vitamins
Vitamins are necessary for many of the body’s chemical
reactions. Fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K need fat in the diet to be
absorbed by the body. Cats are incapable of converting beta-carotene from
vegetables to Vitamin A. Therefore cats require preformed Vitamin A, which is
found only in animal tissues. Cats also require more of the B vitamins thiamin
and niacin than most species. Vitamin C is not needed in the feline diet
because cats can make it themselves. “Complete” and “Balanced” commercial cat
foods don’t need additional vitamin supplementation for most normal cats.
Minerals
Minerals are needed by the body for structural building and
chemical reactions. Like vitamins, minerals are supplied in the correct
proportions in “Complete” and “Balanced” commercial cat foods. Damage can be
done by over supplementation. This is particularly true for calcium and
phosphorus, because the proportions of these two minerals must be supplied to
the cat in the proper ratio for nutritional health.
Water
Water is the most important nutrient for all animals. Since
cats do not have a strong thirst drive compared to other mammals, it is
critical to provide a source of clean and fresh water in various locations at
all times. Canned cat food has a water content of at least 75 percent, so it is
a good dietary source of water.
Feeding a Balanced Diet
