{"id":931,"date":"2016-10-10T06:00:49","date_gmt":"2016-10-10T06:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/?p=931"},"modified":"2016-11-07T22:31:33","modified_gmt":"2016-11-07T22:31:33","slug":"understanding-your-cats-nutritional-needs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/understanding-your-cats-nutritional-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Your Cat\u2019s Nutritional Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>The Basics of Feline Nutrition<\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-UTC.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-933 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-UTC.jpg?resize=261%2C261&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-utc\" width=\"261\" height=\"261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-UTC.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-UTC.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-UTC.jpg?resize=144%2C144&amp;ssl=1 144w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2016_09_06-13_49_32-UTC.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 261px) 100vw, 261px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Because nutrition is one of the most essential keys to your cat\u2019s health and longevity, one of your most important responsibilities as a cat owner is to be able to provide your cat with the necessary required nutrients for her growth and life maintenance.<\/p>\n<p>There is a significant difference between \u201c<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>thriving<\/em><\/span>\u201d and \u201c<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em>surviving<\/em><\/span>\u201d.\u00a0 Please keep this in mind while you read this article and especially when you are making decisions in purchasing food for your cat.\u00a0 We are what we eat is not a useless clich\u00e9, but rather a truth.\u00a0 As for humans, our pets\u2019 diets are the foundation for optimal health \u2013 not just survival.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Facts<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Cats are obligate carnivores. That means that cats are strict carnivores that rely on nutrients in animal tissue to meet their specific nutritional requirements.<\/p>\n<h6><span style=\"color: #000080;\"><strong>Facts About Dry Kibble<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n<p>An increasing number of nutrition-savvy veterinarians are now strongly recommending the feeding of canned food instead of dry kibble.<\/p>\n<p>The water content of dry kibble is too low and this predisposes your cat to serious and life-threatening urinary tract diseases.<\/p>\n<p>The carbohydrate load is too high which predisposes your cats to diabetes, obesity, and intestinal diseases.<\/p>\n<p>The type of protein in dry kibble is too high in plant-based versus animal-based proteins. Being obligate carnivores, cats are designed to eat meat, not grains and plant-based food.<\/p>\n<p>There is no beneficial effect of dry kibble on a cat\u2019s dental health and there is no scientific support for its use in preventing dental disease.\u00a0 The best way to keep your cat\u2019s mouth healthy is to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=d617Fzwydlk\" target=\"_blank\">brush her teeth daily<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=cdw07-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B00751700A&amp;asins=B00751700A&amp;linkId=271696745ce1f97feae959c459bfa533&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=false&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Although a cat may be doing \u201cfine\u201d on dry kibble, many health problems can be avoided in the future by feeding your cat a species-appropriate diet from the start.\u00a0 (And it\u2019s never too late to start!)\u00a0 This is preventative nutrition and it will pay off in your cat being healthy and living a long life with you.<\/p>\n<h6><strong>Other Facts<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>Treats should be given in moderation and should only represent 5% or less of a cat\u2019s daily food intake. The remainder should come from a nutritionally complete cat food.<\/p>\n<p>Milk should not be fed to cats as a treat or substitute for water.\u00a0 Cats do not have significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), and feeding them milk or milk-based products can cause intestinal upset.<\/p>\n<p>Kittens can start the weaning process to solid food around 4 weeks old, and the process is normally completed when they reach 8-10 weeks.\u00a0 There will be an article on <em>Weaning Your Kitten<\/em> coming in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n<p>You should start your cat on a senior diet at about age 7 to maintain health and optimum body weight, and to slow or prevent chronic diseases.\u00a0 I will be writing an article on <em>Feeding Your Senior Cat<\/em> in the near future regarding this topic.<\/p>\n<p>*<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What About Homemade or Raw Diets?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Raw or homemade diets are not recommended for several reasons. \u00a0They are often nutritionally unbalanced and they can cause gastrointestinal upset. A cat may <em>survive<\/em> on these diets, but most often not <em>thrive<\/em> because striking\u00a0the right balance of nutritional ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, and proper storage of the food is difficult and is critical in keeping your cat healthy.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">How Often Should You Feed Your Cat?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Kittens require more food per pound of body weight to support their growth than do adult cats. Therefore, kittens should be fed more often. Growing kittens up to 6 months may require three meals a day, and from 6 months to maturity, most cats do well when fed two times a day. Once a cat becomes an adult, once a day feeding is alright as long as they are healthy and have no disease problems suggesting a reason to feed differently.<\/p>\n<p>Cats suffering from diabetes may need to be fed based on whenever they are administered insulin. If a cat has hyperthyroidism they will want to eat all the time, but the disease needs to be treated and the cat needs to be fed normally.<\/p>\n<p>Free feeding of dry food is risky\u00a0and can add up to extra pounds\u00a0unless the cat exercises self-control, which is rare because cats like to snack. Feeding several small meals during the course of the day may make them feel less hungry, if that works with\u00a0your schedule. \u00a0The main thing to remember is to keep the meals nutritionally balanced and proportionate for your cat&#8217;s healthy weight maintenance.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>What Cats Need In Their Diet<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Water<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 Cats need plenty of water with their food as they do not have a very strong thirst drive compared to other species. It is therefore critical for them to have a water-rich diet.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that the cheapest canned cat food is better than any dry food on the market. Think of canned food as flushing your cat\u2019s urinary tract several times a day.\u00a0 This is very important because canned foods are better suited to meet your cat\u2019s water needs.<\/p>\n<p>A water-rich diet is important in keeping your cat from developing urinary tract problems, including urethral blockages, infection, cystitis, and possibly chronic kidney disease (which is the leading cause of death in cats).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-934\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2.jpg?resize=139%2C174&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2\" width=\"139\" height=\"174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2.jpg?resize=239%2C300&amp;ssl=1 239w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-2.jpg?w=359&amp;ssl=1 359w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 139px) 100vw, 139px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Protein<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 Cats need animal-based protein in particular, and not-plant based protein. Dietary protein provides essential amino acids which are needed for the manufacture of antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and tissues for a proper pH balance. Animal-based protein provides energy for cats and is essential for their growth and development. The essential amino acids are found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and poultry.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Taurine<\/strong><\/span> &#8211;\u00a0 Taurine is an amino acid that is found in animal-based protein and it is essential for your cat\u2019s health. It is critical for normal vision, normal digestion, normal heart muscle function, to maintain normal pregnancy and fetal development, and to maintain a healthy immune system.\u00a0 Taurine is found primarily in muscle meat, and is completely absent in cereal grains. The lack of taurine in the diet can cause serious eye and heart diseases to develop.<\/p>\n<p>Taurine has many biological and metabolic functions within the cat&#8217;s body including:<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Formation of bile salts which aids the digestion of fats and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It is necessary for cardiac (heart) function, brain, and nervous system function.<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Essential for the development and function of cells in the retina of the eye,<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Female reproduction and fetal growth.<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Maintains a healthy immune system.<\/p>\n<p>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Helps to control blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n<p>As a general guideline, an intake of 400 mg of taurine per kg of body weight is recommended for younger cats whereas for adult cats, an intake of 500 mg of taurine per kg of body weight is recommended. Studies suggest 75 to 100 mg of taurine per day should be supplied to the cat.\u00a0 According to other studies, for every 2.2 pounds of food consumed, it\u2019s recommended that cats consume 1000 mg of taurine. It\u2019s difficult to overdose the pet as excess taurine isn\u2019t stored, but excreted.<\/p>\n<p>Depending on the nutritional values in your cat\u2019s food, you may need to boost her Taurine levels with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/s\/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpets&amp;field-keywords=taurine+for+cats\" target=\"_blank\">supplements<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Fat<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 Essential fatty acids are essential for your cat\u2019s health, and cats cannot make them in their own body \u2013 they need to be supplied by the diet. The main essential fatty acids that your cat\u2019s diet needs to include are\u00a0arachidonic acid\u00a0(AA),\u00a0eicosapentanoic acid\u00a0(EPA) anddocosahexaneoic acid\u00a0(DHA).\u00a0 Focus on fish oil.\u00a0 Omega-3 fatty acids are most commonly found in high amounts in cold water fish such as salmon and tuna. Omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for numerous inflammatory conditions that occur in cats. These conditions include, but are not limited to, skin diseases (especially allergies), asthma, gastrointestinal disease (especially inflammatory bowel disease), arthritis, diseases of the immune system, and any kind of cancer.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Minerals and Vitamins<\/strong><\/span> \u2013 These are essential for metabolism regulation and normal growth and function. Minerals needed in your cat\u2019s diet include calcium, chloride, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, zinc, and others.\u00a0 Vitamins include A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble (generally stored in the body), and water-soluble vitamins C and B complex.\u00a0 The water-soluble vitamins pass through the cat\u2019s system more quickly.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-4.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-936\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-4.jpg?resize=204%2C139&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-4\" width=\"204\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-4.jpg?resize=300%2C204&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-4.jpg?w=493&amp;ssl=1 493w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Please visit the site on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reviews.com\/cat-food\/\" target=\"_blank\">Reviews.com for The Best Cat Food<\/a>, which is a current (2016) in-depth listing and review of the best cat foods available. In reviewing the listings, you should be able to determine what brand and type of food is best for your cat. \u00a0When doing your research in finding the best canned food for your cat, remember that the cost of food may be more than dry kibble. But, do keep in mind that in feeding your cat the best possible diet, you will be preventing her from the possibility of illness and various health problems in her lifetime.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For optimal feline nutrition, read the labels of your cat\u2019s food to ensure that she is getting all of the nutrients needed for a healthy diet. \u00a0A nutritious diet is the foundation for excellent health of any living being \u2013 including our favorite four-legged friends.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-939 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5.jpg?resize=203%2C203&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5\" width=\"203\" height=\"203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5.jpg?resize=144%2C144&amp;ssl=1 144w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/happy-pets-blog-cat-nutrition-5.jpg?w=564&amp;ssl=1 564w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 203px) 100vw, 203px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Basics of Feline Nutrition Because nutrition is one of the most essential keys to your cat\u2019s health and longevity, one of your most important responsibilities as a cat owner is to be able to provide your cat with the necessary required nutrients for her growth and life maintenance. There is a significant difference between &hellip; <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"more-link btn\" href=\"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/understanding-your-cats-nutritional-needs\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[259,120,249,248,260,263,257,261,256,258,265,118,254,264,262,251,252,250,255,253],"class_list":["post-931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cat-care","tag-animal-based-protein-for-cats","tag-cat-care","tag-cat-nutrition","tag-feline-nutrition","tag-free-feeding","tag-how-often-to-feed-a-cat","tag-importance-of-protein-for-cats","tag-importance-of-taurine-in-cats-diet","tag-minerals-for-cats","tag-nutrients-for-cats","tag-omega-3-fatty-acids-for-cats","tag-pet-care","tag-protein-for-cats","tag-raw-diet-for-cats","tag-reviews-of-best-cat-foods","tag-taurine","tag-taurine-for-cats","tag-understanding-your-cats-nutrition","tag-vitamins-for-cats","tag-water-rich-diet-for-cats","item-wrap"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=931"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/931\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1068,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/931\/revisions\/1068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/happypetsinfo.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}