The species' special characteristics mean that cats have specific nutritional requirements for the various nutrients.
HERE ARE THE MAIN NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF CATS:
PROTEINS
- Cats need a minimum of 26 % of protein content in their food, which must have high biological value, be balanced in amino acids and have good bio-availability.
- The protein must contain sources of essential amino acids such as arginine or taurine because their bodies are unable to produce them.
- In order to obtain a suitable balance of amino acids it is recommendable to include different sources of protein, such as poultry, beef, fish and egg.
FATS
10% fat is recommended in the food of an adult cat on a maintenance diet. As well as increasing palatability, they contain fatty acids that provide energy and form part of the cellular membranes. The essential fatty acids that the cat cannot produce and have to be added to their diet are linoleic and arachidonic acid, which are only present in animal tissues.
FIBRE
- Fibres are essential for ensuring good functioning of the digestive tract and guarantee bacterial balance and a healthy colon.
- There are two types: fermentable and non-fermentable. Fermentable fibres are those that are utilised by intestinal flora and non-fermentable fibres are those that control intestinal movements.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Cats cannot transform β-Carotene into vitamin A or make vitamin D from ultraviolet light, therefore they need an external source of these two vitamins. Vitamins A and D should be administered in sufficient quantities as both their lack and excess can cause illnesses. Vitamin C is not essential for a cat.
Minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium and calcium, should be well balanced as they are fundamental for numerous bodily processes.
Advice from Canun®
CONSUMPTION OF WATER AND WET FOOD FOR CATS
Cats, having originated from the wildcats of the African desert, do not have an instinct for drinking a lot water, as their ancestors obtained it directly from their prey. Therefore, the domestic cat, as it is mainly fed on dry food, does not tend to drink enough water during the day to maintain its renal and urinary health.
One way of stimulating the consumption of water is through wet food. There are a multitude of wet-food options on the market for cats. The important thing is choosing a quality protein product which is highly digestible.
In addition, it should be taken into account whether it is a supplementary food (that is, one that does not provide all the nutrients necessary to be offered as the only food) or a complete one (which covers the cat's nutritional needs and can be offered as an only food).
When giving a wet food as a supplement to dry food, the energy provided by each portion of food should be considered in order to adjust the quantities necessary of each and avoid an excess or defect of nutrients and ensure optimal nutrition for the cat.
Another form of stimulating water consumption in cats is through the use of sources of continuous running water or providing several water-access points at home, always with clean water which is renewed frequently.
Always ask the opinion of your vet in order to guarantee your pet's good health