You are at your local pet store. Standing in the aisle of cat food, you find yourself surrounded by a sea of canned cat food, all claiming to be the optimal choice for your feline baby. Cats require all the essential nutrients in the right proportions to maintain their bodies, grow, be active, and combat illness and recover from injury. Since healthy eating is so crucial for cats, pet parents need to properly understand what goes into nutritional cat food. Below is a breakdown of everything you should know about cat nutrition. Protein Cats are carnivores, and they require to consume a lot of protein. Dietary protein is necessary to develop and maintain their skin, nails, muscles, fur, tendons, cartilage, ligaments, antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and more. It is also an essential source of energy in cats. When cats consume protein, their digestive tract breaks down the protein into building blocks called amino acids. Fat Fat is the most energy-rich nutrient that you can add to your cat’s diet. Fats serve as a transporter of molecules and help conduct nerve impulses. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are crucial for their coat health, skin, inflammation, and wound healing. It also helps them maintain body temperature, offers energy, and absorbs essential vitamins like A, D, E, and K, Water Water plays a significant role in nearly every metabolic function in a cat and constitutes most part of its body. Domestic cats derive water mostly from their food and not from a water bowl. Cats typically allow themselves to become more dehydrated than dogs before seeking out water to quench their thirst. Carbohydrates Although carbohydrates are not usually considered essential nutrients in a cat's diet, carbs surely play a critical role in their body. Carbohydrates offer a readily available, highly digestible source of energy that should be present in every cat food. Vitamins Vitamins constitute organic compounds like carbon that are vital in small amounts in your cat’s diet. Without vitamins, several enzymes that are necessary for normal metabolism in felines will fail to function. Note that Vitamin A is vital for healthy vision and a strong immune system. Similarly, your cat also needs Vitamin D, which is an essential component for retaining and balancing phosphorus and calcium in your feline’s body. You can now shop cat food for your feline family more confidently. Well-informed cat parents are better at picking the right food for their fur babies.
