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Sodium is an essential mineral for life. Found in the blood and in the fluid that surrounds cells, sodium maintains the cellular environment and prevents cells from swelling or dehydrating. Sodium is also important for maintaining proper nerve and muscle cell function.
Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good sources of sodium. It also may be included in commercial cat foods in the form of table salt (sometimes listed on the ingredient panel as salt). Salt is an important palatant for animals, as well as for people.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials recommends that dry cat foods contain at least 0.2% sodium for maintenance and to support normal growth and development. These are the minimum recommended levels.
While high sodium intake may cause increased thirst and water consumption, the extra sodium is excreted in cat urine.
Therefore, the sodium level in commercial pet foods is not a cause for concern in healthy animals.
A veterinarian may recommend decreasing a cat's sodium intake if the animal has some types of kidney, liver, or heart disease, in order to help decrease high blood pressure or the accumulation of excessive body fluid. Although older cats may be more likely to develop these diseases, healthy older cats do not require a low- or reduced-sodium diet.
The sodium level in our cat foods is appropriate for healthy cats. The sodium content in these foods is balanced in proper proportions with energy, other minerals, vitamins, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Author: Dr. Siti Zaenab
Most owners understand that protein is one of the key nutrients that cats need to thrive and stay healthy, but what many may not fully realize is just how important it is for their long-term wellbeing. Protein is a cat’s primary energy source, and cats need more protein than other domestic animals like dogs and even people. In order to fuel their bodies and nervous systems, cats require more than 50% of their dietary calories to come from protein.
Cats then break the protein down into 11 specific amino acids, which are also known as essential amino acids, which are not found in cats’ natural systems. These essential amino acids are the building blocks that create new proteins and make glucose for energy. On the other hand, amino acids that are found within cats’ natural systems are called non-essential amino acids, and these are not required in a cat’s diet.
A cat’s diet requires animal protein that contains all the essential amino acids that cats need but are not found in plant proteins. This aligns with the understanding that cats are obligate omnivores, needing meat-based protein to survive.
The slightest deficiencies in any of the essential amino acids can lead to serious health problems for cats. For instance, taurine deficiency can cause a host of problems such as blindness, inadequate immune response, poor growth and poor reproductive function.
Another essential amino acid, arginine, is important to remove ammonia from the cat’s body through urine. Without sufficient arginine content in a cat’s diet, ammonia can build up in the bloodstream, which is toxic for the cat. Additionally, the essential amino acid histidine, is a structural protein that acts as a precursor to a number of neurological compounds such as histamine. Histidine deficiency can result in weight loss, refusal to eat, and may result in cataracts.
Cats can consume their dietary protein and obtain their essential amino acids through animal products like chicken and fish. Chicken has one of the highest biological values of all the meats, making it an excellent protein source for cats. It is also a good source of tryptophan, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6. Fish is also a highly digestible protein source, and fish like salmon can provide cats with important omega-3 fatty acids.
While natural food options that somewhat fulfil a cat’s protein needs are available, owners these days go the extra mile to deep-dive into research to ensure better lives for their cats. Besides relying on online sources like the Internet, cat owners are also seeking more counsel from vets about their beloved cats’ needs, while also becoming more selective in their decisions and detailed in their questions, which is very encouraging to see as a vet. With this spirit, owners can better understand that their cats require adequate protein to stay healthy.
Along with veterinary guidance, owners are on the look-out for food solutions that contain all the essential protein contents in one place. We are finding that they are increasingly turning to products like IAMS products, which contain protein necessary for a variety of needs, such maintaining a healthy coat, strong muscles, and good digestion. With IAMS products, cats can get their protein needs from chicken with IAMS Healthy Adult with Chicken, with real chicken as its main ingredient, and from fish with IAMS Healthy Adult with Ocean Fish, with real fish as its main ingredient, both aiding in healthy digestion, skin and coat, teeth, and muscles, to name a few.
Owners must ensure that their cats’ diets provide complete and balanced nutrition, a key component of which is adequate protein. This can be achieved through consulting with vets, researching good protein sources, and sharing knowledge with fellow cat owners, among others. With such a concerted effort, cat owners can be assured about keeping their cats as healthy and happy for as long as possible.
