Essential 6 Nutrients for Cat Feeding: A Comprehensive
But, besides water, all other nutrients must be included in a cat's food, not existing separately.
Therefore, cats need to obtain these six essential nutrients from their diet to maintain their health.
Despite the variety of cat foods available, the nutritional components they contain do not exceed these six categories, and they exist in molecular form.
Since different types of feed contain different nutrients and in varying amounts, the primary source of these nutrients, as well as the foundation for maintaining normal daily activities, is the cat food itself.
However, each nutrient plays a distinct role in a cat's body, yet they are interconnected and interpenetrating.
Protein is a crucial nutrient for cats, playing a vital role in maintaining health, aiding in growth and development, and ensuring tissue repair. It is indispensable.
Once protein enters the digestive system, it begins to break down gradually into amino acids, which are then absorbed by the body.
Cats require a variety of amino acids, so it's important to provide them with proteinrich foods when caring for them.
Typically, animal proteins are more suitable for a cat's nutritional needs than plant proteins.
Pet owners should feed their cats proteinrich foods such as meats, fish, eggs, and animal organs, which can promote growth, strengthen the body, and more.
Longterm consumption of lowprotein diets can lead to poor growth, weight loss, decreased appetite, dull hair, and a higher susceptibility to illness.
Fats in a cat's body are essential for storing and providing energy, producing twice the amount of calories as sugar and protein.
Fats also act as solvents, composed of tissue cell components and fatsoluble substances. They are broken down into fatty acids and absorbed by the body, with most fatty acids being synthesized within the body.
Important Note: Cats should not eat raw fish or meat.
Eating raw fish can lead to a deficiency in vitamin B1 in cats, as the raw fish produces an enzyme that can damage vitamin B1. This can cause symptoms such as spasms, heart disease, and intermittent shock.
Feeding cats raw fish can also increase the risk of parasitic infections, which can be a hassle for both you and your cat.
If a cat becomes infected with parasites due to eating raw fish, it can lead to symptoms such as jaundice and hepatitis, potentially causing ascites or kidney disease.
How to Choose Cat Food?
After reading the above information, many pet owners may have doubts. How can we choose the right food to meet the needs of our feline friends?
We should opt for nutritionally balanced and highquality cat food, but it's important to check the ingredient list on the packaging.
Egg Yolk:
Enhances intelligence and nervous system development, offering recovery and protection, and promotes lustrous and thick fur.
Chondroitin:
Improves joint issues, aids in the regeneration of cartilage, and delays the aging process of bone and joint degeneration.
Cats are known for being picky eaters, almost exclusively meat lovers. Therefore, meat should not be missing from a cat's diet, as it is crucial for their health. New pet owners should not assume that cats are vegetarian.