Important Nutritious Contents of Cat Food

When choosing a food for your cat, it's important to make sure you choose something that is nutritionally complete. This is because cats are obligate carnivores and require a meat-based diet to get all of the nutrients they need.

Commercially prepared diets are formulated to meet the needs of different life stages and have undergone testing to ensure they are balanced for your cat's health.

Protein

The protein content of cat food is one of the most important factors pet owners should consider when choosing a diet. A quality cat food contains high levels of amino acids from both animal and plant sources, ensuring a balanced diet and optimum health for your feline friend.

While cats can make some of the essential amino acids themselves, such as taurine and arginine, it is better for them to obtain these nutrients from their food. These amino acids are needed in high amounts during growth, as well as for normal reproduction and kitten development.

Deficiency of these amino acids can cause poor growth and crusting dermatitis, a condition common in growing kittens. These nutrients must be obtained from a high-quality cat food, and they are best provided from meat or other animal tissues.

Meat-based proteins also provide an abundance of other beneficial nutrients that are not available from plant sources. For example, chicken is a good source of the amino acid cysteine.

As a result, animal-based protein should be a significant portion of the total protein content in your cat's diet. Look for a food that has a minimum of 26% crude protein on a dry matter basis (amount of protein minus water).

AAFCO recommends a protein level of 30% to be considered nutritionally complete and balanced.

In addition to protein, your cat should be getting a sufficient amount of fat and carbohydrates for the maintenance of healthy weight. A high-quality diet will have a good balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates that are sourced from different parts of the animal and are low in sugar and calories.

Fat

The fat content of cat food is important for cats because they need it for energy and a number of other reasons. It provides transport molecules that help conduct nerve impulses, helps cells break down and use essential vitamins, and is necessary for the formation of hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

The right balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates is necessary for your cat's health. In addition, it is important to make sure that the fats and oils in your cat's diet contain essential fatty acids (EFAs), which are a critical part of maintaining feline health.

Many cat foods include a mix of animal and vegetable fats as part of their recipe. These ingredients are a great source of fatty acids including linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for your cat's health and overall well-being.

While fats are used as an energy source, some people believe that they should be kept to a minimum as they can be problematic for some cats. Although studies have shown that a high level of fat can improve palatability in some felines, too much can lead to weight gain and obesity as well as diarrhoea.

If you are concerned about the amount of fat in your cat's diet, consider switching to a higher-quality food. Look for a food that contains a minimum of 8-10 percent protein and a minimum of 20-30 percent fat in dry or wet formulas.

You can also try a grain-free formula to reduce the fat and calories in your cat's diet while still maintaining the right nutrient levels. Blue Buffalo W + U Weight Management & Urinary Care canned wet food is a good example of a high-quality grain-free cat food that contains ideal levels of fat and calories while controlling mineral levels to keep urine pH lower to prevent the formation of crystals and stones.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are not an essential nutrient for healthy adult cats, unless they’re pregnant or nursing. Cats don’t need glucose, a simple carbohydrate, as their primary energy source; however, glucose is necessary for most body cells, including those in the brain and inner areas of the kidneys.

Glucose is produced through the metabolism of carbohydrates. It is important for cellular health and growth, and most body cells need a constant supply of glucose. This is primarily achieved through a process called gluconeogenesis, which uses amino acids and glycerol to form glucose.

A healthy diet should contain a balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Adding carbohydrates to a cat food allows the food manufacturer to change the nutrient profile of a recipe without compromising the overall balance of nutrients in the pet food. This is beneficial for formulating recipes with specific mineral levels for a sick animal or for an animal that requires less fat or protein.

Cats have a special carbohydrate metabolism that generates heat for their bodies, and they also use carbohydrates to fuel their everyday activities. This metabolic process helps with energy production and provides the body with building blocks for vitamins, minerals, nonessential amino acids and a number of other nutrients.

Carbohydrate-rich sources like whole grains, peas and potatoes are often added to dry cat foods to help them hold together during manufacture. They also provide a source of fiber for the digestive tract, which promotes healthy digestion. In some cases, these ingredients can be added to wet cat foods to enhance flavor and texture.

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential for your cat’s health. While it is possible for your pet to obtain these nutrients naturally in their diet, they can also be incorporated into commercially prepared foods.

Natural sources of vitamins and minerals include meats, fish, grains, vegetables and fruits. Many of these ingredients are also good providers of antioxidants, a group of compounds that can protect cells against damage and prevent disease.

Fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E and K, are stored in fatty tissue and liver, whereas water-soluble vitamins are excreted from the body. Because of this, it is important to avoid too much of a certain vitamin in your cat’s diet, as too much can cause toxicity.

In addition, the water-soluble vitamins C and B are important for your cat’s nervous system, gastrointestinal function, skin health, and blood coagulation. They are depleted through urine and need to be replaced regularly.

These vitamins are especially critical for older cats and those who have a compromised immune system. It is not uncommon for seniors to require a special dietary supplement to ensure adequate levels of these vitamins are present in their diets.

The European Union (FEDIAF) guidelines require that complete wet and dry pet foods meet a minimum and maximum of calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese and selenium. We found widespread non-compliance in the majority of products. The Ca:P ratio was often low or high, indicating mineral imbalance, and the individual concentrations of each mineral were sometimes very high.

Storage

If you want your cat's food to remain fresh, you have to store it properly. Poor storage can cause a variety of problems, such as mold, bacteria, and rancidity. This can also affect the taste of your pet's food and the nutritional value.

One way to keep your cat's kibble fresh is to store it in the original packaging, which will help preserve its quality and flavor. Most reputable cat food manufacturers use high-quality, fat barrier bags that can resist the elements.

Another good way to store dry kibble is in an airtight container or bin. A well-sealed bag can be stored on a shelf at room temperature, or unopened cans of cat food can be kept in the refrigerator.

It is best to store your kibble in a cool and dry location, such as your kitchen pantry or laundry closet. Avoid storing it in your garage or shed, as these can get too hot and humid.

You can also store your kibble in a metal bin, which will protect it from moisture and pests. However, you should avoid storing your cat's kibble in a bin that is not airtight, as this can hasten the deterioration of the food.

Finally, you should always buy the correct amount of food for your pet's age and needs. Buying too much or too little can cause your pet to become overweight or sick. Ideally, you should only purchase the amount of food that will last for about a month's worth of meals.