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What You Should Know About Changing Your Cat’s Diet
What You Should Know About Changing Your Cat’s Diet

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Significance of Choosing High Protein Kitten Food

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Cats belong to the Felidae family which also includes tigers and lions. Although your little bundle of cuteness is not as fierce as its other distinct family, it still has similar physiological and nutritional needs. Compared to other pets, cats and kittens need more protein for adequate growth and development. Hence, their guardians need to ensure they include kitten food with high protein in their kitty’s diet.

Kittens need more protein as they need more energy. Hence, when choosing kitten food, you must go for foods with higher protein content. Most kitten food use plant and meat-based protein to meet the kitten’s daily protein requirement. While protein is essential, you must also consider your cat’s allergies and medical diagnosis before choosing any protein for kittens.

High-protein kitten food should contain the appropriate balance of all essential amino acids and good-quality digestible protein alongside other important nutrients. Cats are primarily carnivores, which means they largely depend on meat as their main source of nutrition.  
 

Amino acids to look for in kitten food protein

Amino acids are molecules that come together to form protein. Cats need two essential amino acids for their overall growth and well-being, unlike other species that need nine specific amino acids. Hence, when looking for protein for kittens, you should search for the following essential amino acids: 

  1. Arginine - Arginine is the most important source of energy for cats. This amino acid deficiency leads to higher ammonia in the kitten’s bloodstream which may result in seizures and can even be fatal in some situations. 
  2. Taurine - Taurine is essential for a kitten’s eye, heart, and reproductive health. Cats can synthesize a small amount of this amino acid, but it is often not sufficient for their healthy development. Kittens with a taurine deficiency may suffer from retinal degeneration, dilated cardiomyopathy, reproduction failure, and a high risk of abnormalities. Therefore, you should always check the kitten food’s protein content to ensure it contains taurine. 

Cat’s protein requirement 

Ideally, all types of kitten food contain protein. However, as cat parents, you should check its percentage daily value to ensure that you get high-protein kitten food for your growing feline friend. Yet, you must know that your kitten’s protein requirement will change as it ages.  

Cats need approximately 3.9 grams per kg of their body weight. Hence, cat parents should look for kitten food with high protein for their fur baby. Typically, cats need approximately 35 to 45% protein for better growth and development. Refer to the table below to know the approximate amount of protein content in kitten food: 

  Cat’s growth stage 

 Approximate % of protein required 

Kitten 

40-50% 

Adult 

35-40% 

Pregnant/nursing 

45-50% 

Senior 

35-38% 

Common sources of kitten food protein

Protein is an essential element required for your cat’s consistent growth and health. Cats highly depend on protein for energy. Therefore, kitten food high in protein is supposed to be an integral part of your tiny fur baby’s diet not only in their initial years but also as they grow up. When creating a dietary plan for your cat, you must check for the kitten food protein content to ensure you make the right choice. The following are some of the most common sources of protein that will help you make better choices when selecting a cat food brand. 

  1. Plant protein: Corn gluten meal, wheat gluten, soybean meal, and rice protein are some of the plant-based protein sources suitable for your kitty. 
  2. Animal protein: Cats are carnivorous animals. In the wild, they depend on other animals for their food and nutrition. Hence, cat food brands ensure to use best-quality animal meat to provide the appropriate amount of protein for kittens through their product. Chicken, beef, lamb, fish, and turkey are known for providing concentrated protein.

You should look for these meats when buying kitten food with high protein. IAMS Proactive Health Mother and Kitten™ is made with chicken meat and salmon as well as tuna flour, so your kitty can receive the right amount of protein. It supports eye and brain development while also ensuring healthy digestion.

How to tell if your kitty needs protein? 

Essentially, all cats need protein for their ideal growth and overall development. But how to identify how much protein is enough for your kitty? Ideally, all adult cats require approximately 35% protein in their diet. According to AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials), cats need a minimum of 30% protein for growth and reproduction and 26% protein for adult maintenance. Poor-quality protein or low protein might lead to indigestion and loss of muscle mass in kittens and cats. Hence, all cat caregivers must ensure to include the optimum quality of protein in their pets’ daily meals. 

How to calculate kitten food protein content 

AAFCO provides nutrient recommendations based on dry matter. This means, if you are feeding wet cat food to your kitten, then you might have to manually calculate its protein content. The following is the formula for calculating wet cat food’s protein content: 

Step 1: Find dry matter of the food by subtracting the maximum moisture percentage from 100.

Step 2: Divide the minimum crude protein by the per cent of dry matter.

Step 3: Multiply its result by 100 to get the result of the percentage of protein available in the dry matter of the meal. 

Frequently asked questions

  1. What can I give my kitten for protein?
  2. You can choose between animal-based and plant-based protein when looking for high-protein kitten food. Please note, it is recommended to consult their veterinarian before choosing the right protein for kittens.

  3. Is high-protein good for kittens?
  4. Yes, protein is the main source of energy for cats. This means a high-protein diet is ideal for kittens as it aids their overall growth and development.

  5. What proteins do kittens prefer?
  6. Most cats prefer meat-based proteins. The three main sources of high-quality protein preferred by kittens are chicken, lamb, and fish. 

  7. What proteins are cats allergic to?
  8. Allergies may differ from cat to cat. Chicken is believed to be a common food allergy in most cats. However, some cats might also be allergic to beef, egg, soy, milk, turkey, and other food items. Please consult a veterinarian before giving any new type of protein-rich kitten food to your kitty. 

  9. What is the easiest protein for cats to digest?
  10. One of the easiest high-protein food for cats to digest is chicken. However, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian to confirm the kitten’s allergies before feeding them any new brand or type of protein-rich meal.

  • Feeding Guidelines For Your Cat
    Feeding Guidelines For Your Cat
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    How To Take Care Of A Cat?

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    Cats are known to be solitary creatures and enjoy spending time with themselves. However, as a pet parent, you must ensure that your cat remains healthy. It is advisable to keep an eye on your cat’s behavior to detect a sudden change, even what it eats, and in how much quantity. A regular health checkup is one of the most basic yet essential steps to a cat/kitty care guide. Taking care of cats is comparatively easier than taking care of kittens. A diligently followed routine for cat care can also be quite helpful. So, before we tell you how to take care of cat, here are few dos and don’ts every cat owner must know.

    Do's & Don'ts Every Cat Parent Should Know:

    Here’s your cat care 101 –

    • Medical care -

      Adult cats should be taken to the vet for a complete checkup at least once a year. This will ensure that your cat is in good health and will also catch any disease symptom overlooked by you.
    • Hygiene –

      Hygiene is one of the most basic cat care tips. Cats usually lick and clean themselves, but it is always advisable to bathe your cat every 4-6 weeks. Their crates should also be cleaned regularly to make sure they do not fall sick.
    • Feeding –

      Till the time your kitten is four months old, it can be fed three times a day. Post four months, you can begin the transition to feeding it twice a day. It is still advisable to consult a vet before deciding the frequency of the meals.
    • Dental care -

      Your cat’s dental care is just as important as yours. It is advisable to set a dental care routine right from its kitten phase. You can dip your gloved finger in a little toothpaste made for cats in its mouth to clean their teeth and gums. If your cat’s mouth smells bad, it may be an indication of a disease. So, book an appointment with your vet without any delay.
    • Socializing -

      You can get your cat to socialize too, but you have to keep a few things in mind. You may get down to its level to initiate contact and speak in a calm voice. You may also pat its head to let it get familiarized with your touch.
      Now that you know these cat care tips, let’s understand how you can housetrain your cat.

    Housetraining Your Cat

    Now that you have brought your cat home, the next step is to comfortably settle it in your house. Housetraining might sound like a tedious task, but it isn’t. With a little practise and lots of patience, you can easily housetrain your cat. Some of the most basic things to keep in mind while housetraining your cat include providing a proper litter box, spaying your cat, toilet training and cat proofing the house. Given below are some tips that may help you easily housetrain your cat:

    • Litter box –

      It is advisable to place the litter box in an easily accessible location. You should avoid moving the litter box unless necessary. And even if you have to move it, shift it a few inches every day. Also, keep in mind that your cat will not use a dirty or smelly litter box. Hence, scoop out the solid waste at least once a day and clean it using mild detergents.
    • Cat-Proofing –

      It is important that you keep harmful things out of reach from your cat. First and foremost, tie up all loose cables and wires so that your cat won’t get tangled in them. Make sure candles and other flaming substances are kept at an unobtainable distance from the cat. If you use essential oils frequently, make sure your cats do not come in contact with them either, because certain ingredients in these oils may be toxic for your feline friend.
    • Spaying –

      Spaying your cat has several health benefits and ensures your cat lives a healthy life. You may fix an appointment to spay your kitten when it is as young as eight weeks old. If you have a cat, it is advisable to get it spayed before it reaches five months of age.
    • Toilet Training –

      This is one of the major concerns of all cat parents. Here’s how you can toilet-train your cat with a few simple steps –
      1) Place the cat’s litter box closer to the washroom.
      2) Raise the height of the litter box a little every day.
      3) Slowly, transition your cat to use the actual washroom every time it wants to go.
      4) Give your cat a treat each time it uses the washroom. This will encourage good behavior.

    Common Cat Diseases

    Taking care of your cat’s health comes first in the cat/kitty care guide. Even though cats lick and self-groom themselves, they cannot get better on their own if they contract the following diseases:

    • Vomiting –

      This is one of the most common health issues in cats and is caused by various factors. Hairballs, eating something inedible, or a urinary tract infection are some of the reasons why your cat may be vomiting.
    • Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD) –

      Both male and female cats can contract FLUTD and its main cause is obesity or only eating dry food. Some of the symptoms of FLUTD are bloody urine, crying while urinating, straining to pee, licking around the urinary area due to pain, dehydration, and vomiting.
    • Diarrhea -

      Cancer, infection, allergy and bad food can be the causes of diarrhoea. It is advisable to give your cat a lot of fresh water to drink if it has diarrhoea.
    • Tapeworms –

      Tapeworms can cause extreme discomfort to your cat as they reside in its intestines. You can spot tapeworms with your naked eye in your cat’s stools. The symptoms of worms are vomiting and weight loss.
    • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) –

      This virus can make the immune cells attack the white blood cells in the cat’s body. This gradually weakens the cat’s immune system. FIV’s symptoms are poor coat condition, persistent diarrhea, seizures, eye problems, lack of appetite, and recurring fever.
      If you notice unaccountable minor changes in your cat, then it is advisable to rush to the vet to rule out any of the above-mentioned diseases and seek proper treatment on time.

    Cat Care Tips for First Time Owners

    ‘How to take care of a cat’ is a question asked by many first-time cat owners, as cats can be difficult to figure out. But with a few careful steps, you can easily take care of your cat. Here are some cat care tips for first-time cat owners:

    • Cats are not easily adaptive to change.

      So, when you bring your cat home for the first time, you need to help it familiarize with the new surroundings by setting up its own space in the house. You can also add a cheery vibe to its crate by adding toys and a blanket.
    • Find a vet you can visit for your cat’s timely checkups.

      It is not advisable to ignore even the smallest recognized change in its health, and it is better to get it checked by the vet.
    • Cats love quality playtime as well.

      We recommend you get adorable toys for your feline friend to play with. You, too, can bond with your cat during this time.
    • Give

      it time to adapt to its new surroundings and the new people around them.
    • Ensure

      you buy healthy cat food for your new friend in advance and set a timetable for its meals.

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