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Cat’s Food



                            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

Cats require a diet that regularly includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water for proper nutrition. Of equal importance is the balance of these nutrients in the diet. A commercial cat food is the most convenient method of ensuring a cat receives these in gredients in correct proportions.