I am not ashamed to admit that I
have the potential to be a crazy cat lady. I love cats. They all
have super personalities (even the mean ones), they can be very
cuddly, like to give massages, and they give attitude, which always
makes life more interesting. Yes, sometimes cats can be jerks too,
but usually there's a reason. I have had some amazing cats in my
life, and a few of them ended up with serious health problems. One
common denominator in these health conditions ended up being diet. I
prefer to make my cat's food (supplementing with a good quality
commercial food), and tend to recommend the same, but learning the
natural eating habits of a cat, and their specific nutritional needs
can help you find a commercial cat food that you're happy with.
There are parts of this entry that will be very similar to an entry I
wrote last month,
but I promise that this one is specific to cats and their unique
needs.
To start, here's a basic
introduction to nutrition for cats.
There are 6 major classes of
nutrients: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and
water. A well balanced diet contains a good amount of all 6. For
energy needs, we count calories which are determined by proteins,
fats, and carbohydrates. Vitamins and mineral are essential for
proper immune and bodily functions. Water, is by far one of the most
important nutrients as most life on earth is made up of at least 70%
water.
Proteins provide the building
blocks of cell growth, repair, and maintenance. In domesticated
animals, proteins are mostly used for the maintenance of fur and
hair. They are made up of 20 amino acids, 10 of which are produced
in the body. The other 10, termed “essential amino acids,” must
come from the diet. Arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine,
lysine, methionine, phenylalnine, theronine, tryptophan, and valine
are these essential amino acids. If the diet is lacking in just one
of them, the body cannot make proteins effectively. Animal proteins
are much more bioavailable, and
therefore easier for the body to use, than plant proteins.
Fats provide the most concentrated
form of energy as well as fatty acids which are essential for
maintaining normal, healthy cells. They also help in absorbing fat
soluble vitamins such as the vitamins A, E, D, and K. Not to
mention, fats just taste good. However, there are two fatty acids
that are super important for normal cellular activity, omega-3 and
omega-6. Most animals need more omega-6 than omega-3 to maintain
health.
Vitamins and minerals are
essential for daily function of the body. Having a diet deficient in
any of them could cause major health issues. Both vitamins and
minerals are needed in small amounts, but the important thing is to
remember the balance. Balance is especially important with minerals
because if you have too much of one, you might interfere with the
absorption and usage of another.
Cats evolved in dry, desert areas,
where there wasn't much water. They got most of their water from the
juices of their prey. We can see evidence of this in our little
home-tigers, when they're picky about their water, or just don't
drink often. So when you are thinking about cat food, keep in mind
that you want to provide plenty of moisture with it. This is why wet
food is typically preferable to kibble.
But what does this all
mean?
When you're buying cat
food, make sure that the listed ingredients are whole foods.
Ingredients are listed in order of quantity, largest amount to least
amount. Check to make sure the meats are listed first. Try to find
food that lists a specific type(s) of meat and not a generic “meat”
meal. Aim for products that use natural preservatives such as
tocopherols (Vitamin E) and Vitamin C. Natural antioxidants
(rosemary extract) can also be used as preservatives. Avoid
by-products (meat or otherwise), sweeteners, artificial colors,
artificial flavors, and artificial preservatives.
Cats are carnivorous.
This means that they need to consume a lot of meat in order to get
their necessary nutrition. Cats do consume the stomach contents of
their prey, so some vegetables are in their natural diet, but keep
their food content mostly meat and very light in carbohydrates.
If you decide to make
your own cat food, there are a few other things to keep in mind.
First, raw food is a really great idea for your cat. The feline
digestive track is naturally able to fight most food-born illnesses
off, much more so than dogs. However, since the large portion of
their wild vegetation consumption is second hand (eating the,
partially digested, stomach contents of their prey), I recommend
making sure to cook the vegetables you add to their food. I
recommend making a cat food of 30% cooked and 70% raw for maximum
nutrient absorption. What works best for my home is spending one day
a week cooking a little extra food for the kitty and keeping that
refrigerated. I also take some time, that same day, to mix up some
raw food, pre-portion it out, and freeze the portions (freezing will help to get rid of a lot of potentially harmful bacteria). When I go to
bed at night, I pull out one portion and place it in the fridge for
the cat's breakfast. I mix the raw and the cooked together each
meal. I also sprinkle in some tasty, nutritious herbs, such as
nettle or turmeric (you can opt to cook these in with the vegetables
as well). These herbs help increase vitamin and mineral intake as
well as add to the flavor of the meal. A quick internet search can
help you find several recipes to try. Having several good recipes on
hand is a good way to make sure your furry friend gets all the best
nutrition possible.
I hope this entry has
helped introduce you to a good bit of the basics of feline nutrition.
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!
Resources:
On the Web:
Cat Info: http://catinfo.org/
Cat Nutrition:
http://www.catnutrition.org/
Feline Nutrition:
http://feline-nutrition.org/
Books:
Dr. Kidd's Guide to
Herbal Cat Care by Randy Kidd, D.V.M., Ph.D.
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