Beginners Guide toCat Nutrition

These are added into diets as an energy source. However, they are used differently and have differing levels of importance in cat and dog diets.

Our felines use protein and fats as their main sources of energy. As they are obligate carnivores they struggle to digest carbohydrates, so cannot rely on carbohydrates as a primary energy source. Keep in mind the diet should be balanced with that species in mind. If it contains very high levels of carbohydrates in comparison to low levels of meat, it will be a lot less natural and digestible to a cat.

Quick Tip: Remember you want to avoid vague terminologies. Ingredients such as ‘cereals’ are difficult to define and could be made up of less digestible grains such as Wheat and Sorghum. Plus, vague terms mean that the ingredient can shift from one batch to another. This means cats could suddenly suffer from negative digestive effects or become intolerant due to unnoticeable change in recipe.

Fibres will come from plant, vegetable, fruit and grain sources in the diet. There are two different fibre types, and these are Soluble and Insoluble. An ideal diet will contain a blend of each to help support the digestive system. There’s not a single ‘bad’ fibre source, however if a diet only contains low quantities of one type of fibre, it won’t be as much benefit as a higher fibre diet. Some foods will contain Prebiotic Fibres (often listed as FOS and MOS) these will help strengthen and nourish good bacteria in the gut, in turn boosting the immune system of the animal.

Cats will need different fibre sources to aid gut mobility. These will help to maintain adequate moisture levels to ensure healthy stools!

Quick Tip: Sometimes fibres will not be added into pet diets, instead they receive fibre as a side product from the main carbohydrate within the food. For example: Wheat will contain an element of insoluble fibre. The key in looking for a wonderful fibrous food is looking for a mixture of named fruits, vegetables and plants e.g. Beet pulp, Carrots, Apples and Alfalfa. These will contain great levels of both types of fibre and help better support their digestive system. 

There can be a bit of confusion when it comes to the level of meat/protein to look for in a cat’s diet. Protein is of course essential for cats, as it is used for growth and repair of the body. So, what should you be considering when debating protein/ meat levels?

Our feline friends will use protein as an energy source as well as helping to grow and repair their bodies. Keep in mind cats are obligate carnivores, so their bodies require higher levels of protein than dogs. One of the biggest differences with feline diets is that unlike dogs, cats need a protein called ‘Taurine’ present in their food for their bodily systems to function properly. Some foods will list this on the packaging, whilst others will not. If the food is complete, then adequate taurine levels will be included. However, the best way to approach a cat food is to look for a NAMED meat or fish source(s) high up in the ingredients listing. These types of foods are better digested and utilised by cats.

Much like us, our cats also need a perfect balance of different food groups, in their day to day diet. They will need carbohydrates, fats, oils, fibres, vitamins and minerals included in their food to keep them healthy.

These are (alongside proteins) a primary energy source for cats. Fats can come in varying forms with differing levels of digestibility. Poorer quality fat sources such as Beef or Animal Tallow can increase the amount of cholesterol (fatty particles) in the body. Having too much cholesterol can increase the risk of health conditions and affect the heart and circulatory system. So, digestibility and quality of the fat is always important to consider. Look for ingredients that state the specific animal used e.g. Chicken Fat, as these will be more palatable and easier to digest.

These supply Essential Fatty Acids (Omegas 3 & 6) that are needed for normal function of the body. They aid bodily systems, such as skin and digestive tract. Plus, oils play a large role in the palatability of the food.

There are differences in quality when it comes to the lipids used to formulate a pet diet. As a guideline stick to meat and fish-based fats/oils as they are more natural and digestible to cats. Lower quality plant or vague oils such as Rapeseed or Canola, have less readily available Omegas and can cause irritation to the digestive tract.

Quick Tip: Always avoid vague terminologies! Ingredients such as Animal & Vegetable Fats/Oils are not specifying exactly what source they come from. So, it’s difficult to determine the overall impact of that ingredient on the animal. NAMED lipids such as Chicken Fat/ Salmon Oil indicates it’s healthy and readily digestible.