Nutritional Requirements for Cats
Cats are predominantly carnivorous species. To be exact, they are obligate carnivores. Although they have evolved from hunters to pets, their nutritional needs remain largely the same. In this article, you can read about cat’s nutritional needs and different types of nutrients that are essential for cats.
Proteins
Proteins are organic compounds and they have many functions in the body. Proteins are incorporated in the structure of muscles, nails, skin, tendons, etc.
Cats derive their protein from meat, fish, and other animal-based products. For cats, animals-based products are more easily digested than plant-based products.
These are the different types of nutrients needed for cats to survive: amino acids from protein, fatty acids, and carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Dietary protein contains amino acids and cats can synthesize 11 of these amino acids. The remaining ones are the essential amino acids that have to be consumed as part of their diet.
Essential amino acids are taurine, arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Nonessential amino acids are Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartate, Cysteine, Glutamate, Serine, Proline, Hydroxyproline, Glycine, Glutamine.
Deficiencies in essential amino acids can cause serious health problems. Arginine is beneficial to remove ammonia from the body. Taurine aids vision, digestion, heart function, and a healthy immune system. Taurine can only be found in meat, fish, and dairy products. Only trace amounts of Taurine can be found in plants.
Fats
Dietary fats contain essential fatty acids which enable fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, E, D and K to be absorbed across the intestinal walls. Fatty acids also aid in cell structure and function.
Triglycerides are the most important type of fat in the diet.
The three important essential acids for cats are linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid, which in turn give rise to omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. A lack of these acids affects neurological and physiological functions in the body.
The fats are stored in the body, which is later used as an energy source.
Energy
Cats require energy for daily activities. Their energy requirements change throughout their different growth stages. Energy can be derived from carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Although not essential for their diet, except during gestation and lactation, it has been proven that cats can efficiently use carbohydrates.
Vitamins
Vitamins help with many metabolic processes, normal growth functions, enzyme precursors, etc.
Vitamins can be fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. Water-soluble ones like C and B complex pass through the body quickly. Cats are unable to synthesize certain vitamins in their diet. They need to obtain these vitamins directly from their food like in the case of Vitamin A.
Vitamin deficiencies or excesses can cause different kinds of problems and diseases, such as reproductive problems, osteomalacia, hemorrhage, anemia and anorexia.
Minerals
Minerals are essential for different metabolic processes in the body. Also, minerals have many other functions such as catalyzing reactions, skeletal support, helping with nerve transmission and muscle contractions, components of some proteins and hormones, etc.
Essential minerals are Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sulfur, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Iodine, Selenium, Cobalt, etc.
Deficiency or excess of these minerals can lead to different diseases such as osteomalacia, anemia and cardiac myopathies.The requirements for minerals change throughout their different growth stages.
Water
Fresh water should be available to cats at all times. Cats drink about 2 milliliters of water for every gram of dry food they eat. Cats do not drink as much water per kilogram of weight as much as dogs do. Water reacts as a solvent in many chemical reactions in the body and also has other crucial functions. It is important to ensure your cat is continuously hydrated at all times. Giving wet food or adding water to dry food may help to ensure they remain hydrated.
For more details on the nutritional requirements for cats and their recommended daily allowances please refer here:
This article explores the different types of diets such as natural pet food, grain-free, home-cooked, and raw diets. It details the advantages and disadvantages of the different diets and lists concerns and controversies surrounding them.
References
https://www.nap.edu/resource/10668/cat_nutrition_final.pdf
https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/05/T1511C06.pdf
https://veterinary-practice.com/article/fatty-acids-an-important-component
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=5189562&pid=11343
https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/novel-trends-in-small-animal-nutrition-a-practical-guide/
Author: Linda P. Case, MS, Michael G. Hayek, Ph.D., Leighann Daristotle, DVM, Ph.D., Melody Foess Raasch, DVM. Canine and Feline Nutrition, third edition,2011, title: Carbohydrates, page 13.
Author: Linda P. Case, MS, Michael G. Hayek, Ph.D., Leighann Daristotle, DVM, Ph.D., Melody Foess Raasch, DVM. Canine and Feline Nutrition, third edition,2011, title: Protein and Amino Acids, page 21.
Author: Linda P. Case, MS, Michael G. Hayek, Ph.D., Leighann Daristotle, DVM, Ph.D., Melody Foess Raasch, DVM. Canine and Feline Nutrition, third edition,2011, title: Energy and Water, page 3.