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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.
You can add protein to your cat’s diet by investing in a high-protein cat food formula that derives its protein percentage from animal-based protein sources.
Every cat is different and has different needs. Their food intake also depends on their age and medical history. Take your feline buddy to the vet to find out how much should you be feeding your cat daily.
Both wet and dry foods are great for cats. Wet food is easy to digest and dry food is easy to eat. Choose a type that you think has the best nutrition for your cat. You can also include both types in your cat’s diet.
Yes, cats can survive on just dry food. Ensure that the dry cat food you are using has a good amount of nutrients present and you’re good to go.
A proper cat diet consists the right amount of all nutrients– fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and water.
Cats are generally considered to be low-maintenance pets. However, that’s nothing but a myth. You need to care for a cat the way you would care for any baby, especially with regards to its health and overall well-being. Although medical treatments are available for most feline illnesses, prevention is always better than cure. Cat vaccinations, such as the anti-rabies and FVRCP vaccine, protect your furry friends from deadly infections like rabies. But did you know? These diseases are transmissible to humans as well. Yes. So, when you vaccinate your cat against such medical conditions, you also reduce the possibility of contracting fatal diseases from your own pet.
Feline vaccines are scientifically developed to boost the cat’s immunity and fight fatal diseases. Even though there is no ‘one size fits all’ protocol for immunization, veterinarians suggest cat injections depending on your pet’s age, overall health, lifestyle, and breed. Moreover, these vaccinations are primarily divided into two categories – core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines. Core vaccines are essential for every cat irrespective of their lifestyle, breed, and region. Lifestyle vaccines are given to cats after considering certain circumstances.
Administering rabies and other precautionary vaccines from a young age protects cats from falling prey to serious diseases. Mentioned below are essential cat vaccinations that every kitty must get:
These are anti-rabies vaccines for cats. They are given annually or once in 3 years – depending on the type of vaccine you choose – to protect your kitty from the fatal rabies virus. While this disease is fatal for your feline friend, it can also prove terminal for humans. Rabies often spreads through bites or scratches of infected animals. And rabies patients develop signs of aggression, disorientation, and hydrophobia post incubation stage. If not treated in time, rabies often results in fatal consequences for both animals and humans. Hence, anti-rabies vaccines for cats are a must from a young age.
These are 3-in-1 vaccine for cats. FVRCP vaccine prevents cats from three different viruses – feline rhinotracheitis virus, calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia virus. Instead of getting the kitten inoculated three times, you can simply get the FVRCP vaccine. This 3-in-1 vaccine for cats is recommended annually to protect them from highly infectious diseases.
Protect your kitty from leukemia virus by getting them vaccinated. This disease can spread through body fluids like urine, saliva, and feces; hence, FeLV infects cats while grooming or sharing a bowl with an infected cat. This fatal virus can process into various associated conditions such as anemia, lymphoma, or immunosuppression. Hence, the FeLV vaccine is recommended for cats from a very young age. This vaccine consists of two doses spaced three to four weeks apart for kittens and is followed by revaccination a year later for adult cats.
An FPV vaccine also protects your cat from feline panleukopenia. Kittens should receive an FPV shot once they turn 6-8 weeks old. You should also revaccinate your four-legged angel every three to four weeks until the age of 16 weeks. After this, a booster dose should be given between the ages of 1 to 2 years.
Developed to combat 4 diseases, 4-in-1 vaccine for cats protect against rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia. These 4-in-1 cat vaccine are also called 4-way vaccines or FVRCCP. Feline chlamydia is part of the feline upper respiratory complex and an underlying cause of most early ocular infections. Hence, kittens should receive 4-in-1 vaccine for cats at the age of 8, 12, and 16 weeks, and a revaccination once they turn a year old. Cat parents are also suggested to revaccinate their kitty every 3 years to keep their purrfect pal hale and hearty.
F5 or Fevac 5 vaccines are 5-in-1 vaccines for cats that boosts your kitty’s immune system to tackle five viruses. Getting your kitty inoculated for this combination will ensure that it is safe from a range of fatal illnesses.
Vaccines are built to boost immunity and fight deadly illnesses. However, after getting vaccinated, your kitty might show mild signs of discomfort and other symptoms. These signs and symptoms are nothing but proof that its body is building a defense mechanism to defeat deadly viruses. Side effects of anti-rabies, FVRCP vaccine, or other combination vaccines for cats may include the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Fever
Diarrhea
Swelling and redness around the injected area
Ensuring that your feline friend is vaccinated from time to time aids in keeping them healthy and lively. Hence, every cat parent is recommended to plan a proper vaccination schedule for their fur babies.
