As a cat owner, you want your furry friend to lead a long, healthy, happy, and active life. The best way to achieve that is to make sure that your cat is getting the balanced nutrition from the 5 major groups. Here is a guide to the 5 major groups and what they each provide for your cat.
Proteins and Amino Acids
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat in their diet, which means they will never be a vegetarian. Felines rely on protein as their main source of energy and need higher levels of protein in their diet than dogs. Not only is meat a ready source of protein, but it also provides three essential nutrients that cats can’t live without taurine (for hearing and vision), Vitamin A (coat and vision), and arachidonic acid (skin and coat health).
The amino acids cats rely on come from animal proteins to help fuel their energy. It is what they are biologically equipped to process.
Essential Fatty Acids
Fats, made from small units called fatty acids, provide fuel to keep your cat active as well as insulation and protection of their internal organs. Essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are vital for keeping your cat’s skin and coat healthy. They are also an important part of your cat’s nutrition.
Minerals
Minerals, like calcium and phosphorous, are essential for strong, healthy teeth, and bones. Your cat’s diet needs to include the right quantities and the right balance of each. This is especially true for kittens.
Sodium, chloride, magnesium, and potassium as well as copper, zinc, and iron are also important minerals in cats’ diets. Feeding your at high-quality cat food will provide the right balance of minerals.
Vitamins
Cats need vitamins for growth, vision, healthy skin and coat, wound healing, and a healthy nervous system. They are involved in the metabolism of fats, proteins, vitamins C and E are also important as antioxidants. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are stored in your cat’s fatty tissues. While water-soluble vitamins B complex and C are not stored in the body but passed out in the urine.
Water
Water is essential for all living beings. Although cats are not naturally very good about drinking enough water, it is something that they require. Make sure your cat has access to fresh clean drinking water from a bowl or fountain.
Water is also something that you can get into your cat with the type of food that you feed them. Wet cat food has a moisture content of at least 75 percent water. This helps give your cat the hydration that they need. Dry cat food only contains 6 to 10 percent moisture, which means that the chance for hydration is higher.
Choosing the Best Nutrition
When choosing high-quality cat food, consider choosing the best of the best. Find a brand that has high-quality premium ingredients. Look and see if it is human-grade food that means it is higher standards than economy cat food. Your cat deserves the best to live a happy and healthy life.