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According to a recent study, a cat's taste buds are very different compared to other animals. They possess more receptors for bitterness than sweetness, this makes most cats very finicky and picky about what they eat. Lack of poor eating habits can thus lead to poor nourishment and unhealthy development. Hence, cat parents are required to pay special attention to what their kitties eat, how much they eat, and how often. Feeding them a bowl full of treats and meals is not enough, caregivers also need to consider the nutritional value of their feline friend’s meal.
Choosing the right cat food to provide an adequate amount of vitamins for cats is important. Besides, being carnivorous animals, cats prefer animal-based products over the plant-based ones. IAMS cat food is high-quality animal-based protein that includes essential amino acids required for your kitty’s nourishment.
Cats need specific nutrients for appropriate growth and development. Components like vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and fat are some of the essential nutrients present in good-quality cat food. Cats can get most of these nutrients from food like dairy, bone meal, legume plants, animal organs, and dietary supplements. The following are the necessary cat food nutrients to look for:
Look for the following to ensure you only invest in the best meals for your cats when buying cat food:
You can also choose IAMS cat food to feed your kitty a complete and nourishing meal. IAMS cat food contains unique fatty acids that result in healthier skin, shiny fur, adequate membrane structure, and improved health. Besides, the fermented fiber present in IAMS products improves intestinal health by boosting your kitty’s digestive and gastrointestinal functions.
With our wide range of cat foods, you can choose the one that fits your pet’s needs and preference. IAMS Proactive Health Healthy Adult is made with love to ensure your cat has a shiny coat, healthy skin, and strong muscles. It comes in different flavors like Chicken, Tuna and Salmon Meal as well as Chicken and Salmon Meal.
If you are concerned about issues like unhealthy weight and hairball, you can include IAMS Proactive Health Indoor Weight and Hairball Care. It is loaded with L-carnitine, natural fiber and high-quality protein for weight management and hairball care.
The following are some essential minerals for cats:
Cats need potassium for nerve function, muscular contraction, and heart rhythm as this mineral is an electrolyte.
Calcium is an important mineral for bone and teeth growth.
This mineral ensures muscle contraction, provides hydration, and powers nerve impulses.
Sodium and chloride work together as electrolytes to maintain acid-base balance, muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and hydration.
This mineral is essential for your metabolism and vital growth. It also supports your teeth and bone health.
Cats need iron for transporting energy in their bodies.
This mineral works in conjunction with vitamin E and works as an essential antioxidant.
Cats require copper for bone growth, skin pigmentation as well as the absorption and transportation of iron.
This mineral is significant for enzyme function and digestion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in cats.
Another essential mineral for cats is zinc. They need it for metabolising lipids, protein, nuclei, and carbohydrates.
This mineral for cats is important for the development of thyroid hormones.
A lack of vitamins can result in the abnormal functioning of essential enzymes in cats. Hence, vitamins are important for its healthy growth and development. The following are some of the most essential vitamins for cats:
This vitamin improves the cat’s vision, bone, dental, reproduction, mucous membrane, and skin health. Kittens and pregnant cats need more vitamin A compared to adult and senior cats.
Cats need vitamin B12 for metabolising fat and carbohydrate. This vitamin is also necessary for a cat’s nerve conduction.
Cats require a minimum of 280 IU of vitamin D per kilogram of food as this vitamin helps in improving their calcium and phosphorous levels. Both calcium and phosphorous are necessary for better bone density, hence vitamin D is one of the most essential vitamins for cats.
Every adult cat should consume at least 1 to 3 IU of vitamin E per day as this vitamin is an essential antioxidant that protects them from cell oxidative damage.
Cats need very little vitamin K for preventing their blood from clotting.
This vitamin is necessary for releasing energy from fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Riboflavin deficiency may result in anorexia, bilateral cataracts, fatty liver, testicular hypoplasia, and periauricular alopecia.
It improves carbohydrate metabolism in cats. Lack of this vitamin may result in weight loss, vomiting, neurological distress, impaired vision, dilated pupils, vestibular signs, and seizures.
Niacin deficiency may result in fever, oral mucosa, tongue ulcer, and weight loss. This vitamin is essential for breaking down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins present in food.
Important for the synthesis of DNA and methionine (an amino acid), folic acid deficiency may cause anemia, weight loss, and leukopenia.
This vitamin is necessary for digesting amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids.
Biotin deficiency may cause skin issues in cats. This vitamin helps in the formation of fatty acids, certain amino acids, and DNA/RNA in cats.
Choline is an important neurotransmitter for the cell membranes and lipid.
Therefore, when buying cat food for your feline friend, make sure to check if it contains all the necessary nutrients to aid their better growth and development. You can also buy supplements to provide the necessary vitamins for cats. However, it is best to consult a veterinarian before choosing a new cat food brand or supplements for added vitamins and minerals for cats.
Some essential vitamins for cats include vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin E, niacin, biotin, and folic acid.
Cats absorb most of their mineral requirement from the food they consume. Cat food containing meat, liver, cereals, and fish are some of the good sources of minerals for cats.
Cats usually absorb all necessary vitamins from the food they eat. So, it is better to feed them a nourishing meal over vitamin supplements. Cats may need vitamin supplements only in case of deficiency. Please consult a veterinarian for more guidance on the same.
Cats need trace minerals like iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in very small quantities. They ideally depend on their daily diet for getting these minerals.
Cats ideally do not need additional supplements as they can absorb all necessary vitamins and minerals from their meal. However, it is best to consult a veterinarian doctor to know which supplement can be beneficial for your kitty.
Good nutrition is key to a long and healthy life for all living beings. That being said, cats need a balanced diet to be able to grow, maintain their body, stay active, and fight any illnesses or recover from them. As a pet parent, you must be aware of the right ingredients to include in your cat’s diet.
Cats are carnivores and they need nutrients that are found only in animal products. Cats were originally hunters and would feed on their prey to derive high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fats, and some carbohydrates to maintain a nutritional diet. Today, most cats that are domesticated do not need to hunt but still require their food to contain the right proportions of nutrients to be able to live a healthy life. Apart from that, cats also need nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and amino acids.
The best diet for cats will contain all the essential nutrients in the right proportions. A variety of ingredients can help you provide the right energy sources for your cat. For example, a nutrient like calcium can be derived from ingredients like dairy products, organ tissues, bones, bone meals, meat, legume plants, and through mineral supplements. Devising a cat diet plan is all about making sure your kitty gets the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. Keep reading to learn more about how different nutrients play a part in your cat’s well-being.
As carnivores, cats need to eat a lot more protein as compared to many other animals. Protein is also the primary source of energy in cats as it helps them maintain skin, hair, muscle, fur, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and more. Cats use protein for energy and for maintaining their blood glucose levels. Its liver enzymes are continuously breaking down proteins to do so. If cats do not consume enough protein, their bodies will start breaking down their own muscles to fulfill their energy requirements.
The two main sources of protein used in cat food are plant protein and animal protein. If you are a vegetarian and a vegetarian diet appeals to you for your cat, keep in mind that this may not be the best decision for your feline’s well-being because it will not be able to meet its nutritional requirements through plant protein sources alone. Certain nutrients are only present in animal protein such as taurine, methionine, and cystine.
Animal protein in cat food is derived from chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, and fish. Different meat meals and meat by-products are also available in the market today. While many pet parents may think that these meals are not a good option, they actually act as a great source of concentrated protein.
The right amount of protein for cats depends on their age. Adult cats need a high percentage of protein as compared to dogs, humans, or many other animals. While the exact proportions may vary, adult cats need around 26% protein in their meals. Protein requirements for kittens may change according to their medical history and age. It is best to consult a veterinarian to make sure your kitten receives the right nutrition.
Vitamins are essential for your cat’s metabolic function and therefore must be included in small amounts in its diet. Many enzymes that help maintain normal feline metabolism cannot function without vitamins.
Several cat food ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, animal tissues, vegetable oils, grains, and seeds contain vitamins. It is very difficult to nail down the right amount of vitamins that your cat needs through just different foods. For this reason, vitamin supplements should be included in your cat’s diet.
If your cat is healthy and is eating a balanced and nutritious meal, additional vitamin supplements may not be necessary. In some cases, vitamin supplements can also be dangerous if your cat is already healthy and does not require them. It is best to consult a veterinarian and be sure of your cat’s health and its requirements.
Your cat’s body needs inorganic compounds, also known as minerals, to function properly. Many minerals that your cat needs are derived from animals and plant-based ingredients. However, for your cat’s food to be completely balanced, food manufacturers always add mineral protein to their food formulas.
There are a lot of minerals that should be present in your cat’s diet such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, chloride, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, and selenium. These minerals help cats maintain nerve, muscle, and heart function. They also aid in enzyme function, supplying oxygen throughout the body, skeletal growth, and much more. Your cat’s food formula will always contain some minerals. If you want to be sure about your kitten getting the right nutrition, take it to the vet and let them decide the perfect cat diet plan for your furry friend.
Crude fat is estimated by extracting fats that are present using ether and the crude fat level of every cat food formula will be listed in the guaranteed analysis section on the packaging label.
Including fats in your cat's diet is extremely important. While proteins are an important energy source for cats, fat is the most energy-rich nutrient in your cat's diet. They act as transport molecules that help carry out nerve impulses. Essential fat sources such as omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain your cat's skin, coat, and fur health.
Fats and other essential fatty acids are found in food formulas that contain liver, chicken, beef, turkey, and fish. At times, manufacturers add extra fat to their formula. You can ascertain the same by checking the fat sources on the ingredient list label. Fish oil, beef fat, and soybean oil are examples of added fat.
Keeping cat food weight management is extremely important when it comes to fats. Cats need to maintain a certain body type to stay active. Hence, a diet with high levels of fats is not recommended. Your feline friend should not be consuming more fat than it requires on a daily basis. Doing so will lead to your cat putting on weight and inviting health troubles. Talk to your veterinarian to know the ideal fat content for your cat’s diet.
Many animals need carbohydrates to obtain energy. However, since cats derive most of their energy from proteins and fats, carbohydrates are not that important in their diet. No, this does not mean that you can completely stop including carbs in your cat’s diet. Small amounts of carbohydrates are ideal for your cat to derive some energy. A diet that contains high levels of carbs is not recommended for cats at all since it may aid in putting on weight and will attract serious diseases such as diabetes.
Your cat’s diet should not include more than 10% of carbohydrates. Dry diets may have high amounts of carbohydrates. The only way to ensure that your cat is not eating too much carbs is by including wet food in its diet.
The best diet for cats includes the right balance of all nutrients. A perfect balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water will help your cat to grow healthy and maintain its ideal body weight. If you are concerned about your cat’s diet and need more insights on what to feed your cat in what proportions, simply reach out to your local veterinarian.
