Top 5 Common Cat Feeding Misconceptions Debunked!

Common Misconceptions About Feeding Cats:

Is it better to choose cat food with the highest protein content? Wrong!

Cats require 25%30% of their daily diet to be protein, but too much or too little can be harmful.

Typically, pure meat contains 1522% protein, meat and bone meal over 50%, fish meal over 60%, and soy protein powder over 50%. The national standard for cat food in China specifies a protein content of 25%28%, while the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) sets the standard at 26%30%.

Cats are naturally carnivorous and have a high protein requirement, ideally between 25%30%. Even fresh fish and meat contain only 15%22% protein. While higher protein sources are not harmful to healthy cats, it's important to monitor their intake. Longterm high protein intake can lead to health issues like obesity and kidney problems.

The source and quality of protein are more important than the amount. Learn to read ingredient lists, with fresh meat (frozen meat) being preferable over meat meal (fish meal) and plant proteins.

Actually, cat food with a protein content of 25%30% offers good value for money.

Can a cat's cheeks grow by eating certain nutritional supplements? Wrong!

Cheek growth is a unique feature of male cats, so female cats do not have this feature. If a female cat appears to have cheeks, it could be due to obesity or excessive fur. If a female cat develops cheeks, it may be a sign of a primary ovarian tumor causing abnormally high serum testosterone levels, and she should be examined by a veterinarian.

The cheeks serve to satisfy aesthetic preferences among cats, help with territorial disputes, and aid in mating.

Cheek growth is determined by genetics, particularly the father's genes, and is not influenced by diet. Early neutering of male cats also prevents cheek growth. A balanced diet is the nutritional foundation for male cats with the cheekgrowing gene, and "cheekenhancing" supplements are primarily for improving coat health.

Is tear staining caused by nutrition (especially salt and oil content)? Wrong!

Tears are composed of 98% water and 2% other substances, including salt, vitamins, and proteins. These nutrients act as a culture medium, combining with environmental microorganisms to produce pigments that form tear stains.

The causes of tear stains in cats include blocked tear ducts (genetic, developmental), eye diseases, environmental factors, and ear canal diseases.

Prevention and removal of tear stains can be achieved through regular gentle cleaning, trimming of eye hairs, treating eye diseases, treating ear canal diseases, maintaining a clean environment, and addressing food allergies through allergen testing and targeted dietary changes.

Remember: tear stains have little to do with the salt, oil, and protein content of food!

Is it beneficial to give cats probiotics every day for digestion? Wrong!

Most cat owners use probiotics when their cats experience diarrhea, soft stools, vomiting, or lack of appetite, simply to adjust their digestive systems.

Probiotics are recommended in the following situations:

When kittens are adapting to a new environment and diet, they can be used to adjust their digestive systems.

When there is an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the body, usually manifested by symptoms such as bad breath, persistent soft stools, diarrhea, and vomiting, probiotics can be used as an adjunct to treatment.

Probiotics are generally not suitable for use with antibiotics and should be taken 34 hours apart.

When using probiotics to treat diarrhea, the duration of soft stools can vary, usually 12 weeks. If the cat has frequent diarrhea or the condition does not improve, seek veterinary care promptly.

What are the risks of feeding probiotics every day?

During the rapid selfregulation of the intestinal flora in kittens aged 12 months, probiotics should be used with caution, especially to avoid dependence.

If there are no digestive symptoms, longterm probiotic use can disrupt the selfregulation of the intestinal flora, which is not beneficial to health.

There are many probiotic products on the market with varying contents. More strains are not necessarily better, and imported strains are not necessarily better. The most important thing is to be appropriate and suitable.

Consider foodsourced prebiotics, such as beet pulp, inulin, FOS, XOS oligosaccharides, etc. The advantages are that they can be used for a long time, have no side effects, and are safe and effective.

Is it best to feed cats only canned food? Not necessarily!

Feeding canned food has certain advantages, as it aligns with a cat's natural diet and helps with hydration.

However, be aware of the following:

Pay attention to the energy and nutrient density of the canned food. If the energy density is too low, you may need to feed your cat more to meet its daily energy and nutritional needs. There are not many canned foods that can fully meet the requirements for a complete diet and energy.

Be aware of dental issues. Canned food can lead to more tartar buildup, so pay attention to dental care.

Storage conditions: Canned food has fewer preservatives and is prone to spoilage, so it is recommended to eat it immediately after opening. Also, cats prefer room temperature food, and chilled canned food can cause digestive stress, and cats may not want to eat it.

Key points for choosing canned food:

Combine main course cans with snack cans: only main course cans can replace daily meals and ensure a balanced and comprehensive diet; snack cans can only be used as snacks.

The main course cans must meet national or AAFCO nutritional standards, containing 41 essential nutrients.

The composition of the ingredient list is crucial, and it is best to choose cans with more meat ingredients.

Pay attention to the relationship between nutrition and calories, ensuring calorie intake. In this regard, dry food has a higher costeffectiveness, so it is recommended to feed a mix of dry and wet food.

Do cats need calcium supplements? When do they need them? How should they be supplemented?

Cats do need calcium supplements, but generally, kittens and older cats need them to promote bone growth, while adult cats usually do not.

The calciumtophosphorus ratio should be between 1.11.2:1. An imbalance in the calciumtophosphorus ratio is more serious than a calcium deficiency, leading to issues like poor bone development and urinary stones. Excessive calcium supplementation can also lead to accelerated calcium loss and organ deposits due to high blood calcium levels.

Liquid calcium and ionized calcium are better than solid calcium, and ingredients like goat's milk and lactosefree milk are natural sources of calcium that meet the calciumtophosphorus ratio, making them ideal for kitten development.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, acting as a carrier for calcium absorption.

While it's good for cats to get sunlight, it doesn't help with calcium supplementation.

Can you choose cat litter carelessly? Wrong!

Extensive clinical data shows that improper cat litter use is closely related to urinary system problems in cats. In China, no less than 30% of lower urinary tract issues are caused by longterm improper use of cat litter.

Improper cat litter use can lead to: cats urinating outside the litter box, frequent urination, blood in the urine, difficulty urinating, and pain during urination.

How to choose cat litter:

Mineral litter: Satisfies a cat's natural urination habits and has the least impact on the urinary system, but it is dusty and difficult to clean.

Plant litter (mainly tofu cat litter): The most commonly used type, but it can easily breed bacteria in summer.

Crystal litter: Has low scientific value and poses certain risks to cats, with low popularity among cats.

Regularly clean the litter box, thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting it every 37 days, especially in summer when bacteria can easily breed. Keep the litter box clean.

Place the litter box in a hidden, ventilated, and dry area, avoiding emergency and unsanitary conditions.