Cats Nutritional Requirements: The 6 Essential Elements

Cats are highly sensitive animals that rely a lot on their diet to stay healthy and active. Many cat parents don’t know the right nutritional requirements for their cats and often end up getting them malnourished. This post is for all such people who don’t know much about a cat’s nutritional needs.

Nutritional Requirements of Cats: The Essential Elements

Proteins

The little carnivores wandering in our home need a lot of protein. They require as much as 5.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If your cat weighs 4 kg, it needs around 21 grams of protein daily to meet its nutritional needs. A good commercial cat food contains around 26% protein for maintenance and a minimum of 30% for reproduction and growth.

Proteins serve as the building blocks of muscle, skin, fur, nails, tendons, cartilage, and enzymes. Another reason protein is essential for a cat in large quantities is its inability to make the 11 essential amino acids. These amino acids must be supplied from external sources.

Since protein is the most important component of a cat’s diet, parents need to ensure that they only feed high-quality protein, as too much or protein from poor sources can be bad for your pet’s health.

Fats

Fats are the most energy-rich nutrient in a cat’s diet. A good cat food must contain at least 9% fat on a dry matter basis. Some foods contain a higher percentage of fat; they are best for highly active cats.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are required for skin and coat health, inflammation, and wound healing. Fats come from ingredients like fish, chicken, or beef.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates play a small role in a cat’s diet. A good cat food must not contain more than 10% carbohydrates. Too many carbs can make cats obese, which can lead to various health problems. Please note that dry cat food contains a higher percentage of carbohydrates, so it is advisable to take care of your cat’s hydration if you are feeding it only dry food.

Vitamins

We all know what vitamins are and what they do for humans. The same is true for cats. Cats need vitamins A, D, E, K, and many others for proper functioning and body health. Vitamins in cat food come from ingredients like animal tissues, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. Many people suggest feeding vitamin supplements. This isn’t necessary as long as your cat is healthy and eating a nutritionally balanced diet.

Minerals

Cats need minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, and iodine. They have different functions, but all of these must be present in a cat’s diet to ensure proper growth and health.

Water

Water plays a vital role in a cat’s diet. A cat needs around 4-5 ounces of water per 5 pounds of body weight. This requirement includes water from food and from a bowl.

Cats eating dry food need to drink more water than those eating wet food. Moreover, cats are more likely to get dehydrated than dogs before they find water to drink. Hence, parents must ensure adequate hydration for their cats.

Wrapping Up: Which Cat Food Provides All the Essential Nutrients in the Right Quantity?

A quick and reliable way to ensure that your feline buddy gets all the required nutrients is to feed them AAFCO-approved foods. These foods are vigorously tested to ensure consistency and quality assurance. However, AAFCO-approved foods may not be available in all countries or may be too costly for some pet owners. The best way out of such a situation is to consult a vet and check food reviews before feeding a particular food.