Why Cat Nutrition Deserves Serious Attention
Cats are not just little dogs. Surprisingly, this now very obvious statement affects his implication for how we should feed our cats, because, as opposed to dogs, who happen to be omnivores and can get nourishment from a variety of sources, cats live as obligate carnivores. Their bodies are biologically hardwired to rely on animal tissue for the vast majority of the nutrients they need. They are missing certain metabolic pathways other mammals have for manufacturing some essential nutrients themselves, so what goes into their bowl affects their health in a measurable way.
Inadequate nutrition in cats is associated with a long and sobering list of maladies: urinary tract disease, kidney failure, obesity, diabetes, dental disease, and immune suppression. In contrast, cats receiving diets more in line with their biological requirements have a tendency to be leaner, have healthier coats, suffer less chronic disease, and live longer.
The pet food aisle is now filled with hundreds of options at every price point and philosophy, but two types of products have garnered the most interest from health-conscious cat parents: natural diets and high-protein diets. These strategies frequently intersect, but they are not one and the same, and recognizing what each means is the first step in choosing the best option for your cat.
The Case for Natural Cat Food
The word ‘natural’ has a definable meaning when it comes to the food for your pet. Pet food is processed without chemicals, additives, and synthetic preservatives. It focuses on whole, minimally processed ingredients, real named meats, organ tissue, whole fruits and vegetables, and naturally derived vitamins and minerals rather than synthetic substitutes.
The change of diet to natural cat food can have a profound positive effect on the digestion and health of a feline, especially of a cat that was repeatedly suffering from stomach problems, dull coat, and/or lethargy while being fed on conventional commercial food. Whole food ingredients are also more bioavailable – a cat’s body can absorb more nutrients from whole foods compared to highly processed ingredients, where the nutritional value of ingredients is degraded by manufacturing.
Natural diets also tend to be shorter and more comprehensible . That level of transparency is important because it helps owners more easily identify potential allergens and know exactly what their cat is eating. For cats with food sensitivities — and those are more common than many owners would care to admit removing artificial fillers and low-quality protein meals can do wonders for the skin, the fur, and even the consistency of their stool.
The other advantage is reduced reliance on chemical preservatives. The shelf life of cat food is extended by preservatives, particularly chemical ones, and some have raised concerns over the long-term use of these. Natural recipes typically incorporate tocopherols (vitamin E) and other natural preservation techniques, which result in a healthier nutrition profile.
The Case for High-Protein Cat Food
Since cats are obligate carnivores, protein is at the core of their dietary needs. A wild cat eats almost nothing besides prey animals, small mammals, birds, and bugs, which is a diet very high in protein, moderate in fat, and very low in carbohydrates. The physiology of the domestic cat has not markedly diverged from that of its antecedent.
Cats benefit from a high-protein cat food that helps maintain a strong muscle tone, healthy organs, and long-lasting energy at every stage of life. Cats are not like people or dogs in that they do not rely on protein for just building blocks; they also rely on it as an energy source. Their livers have evolved to continuously metabolize amino acids even under conditions of dietary protein deprivation — meaning they have greater baseline protein requirements than most other domestic animals.
High-protein diets have special advantages in a few specific situations. As an illustration, older cats are at risk for muscle wasting as they get older, and diets higher in protein have been demonstrated to help maintain muscle in old animals. Overweight cats on high-protein, calorie-restricted diets also seem to shed fat and retain more muscle than cats on routine weight-loss diets.
Active cats and kittens are growing young cats. need higher levels of proteins. Kittens are in a growth spurt and need amino acids not only for energy but for building muscle, organs, and developing the immune system in a growing body. Getting enough protein during this stage has lifelong implications for health.
One big caveat: source and quality of protein! Is our protein really what it says it is? A high-protein food made from poor-quality by-products or plant-based fillers is not the same as a food where a named animal protein, such as chicken, turkey, salmon, or beef, is the first ingredient.
Natural vs High-Protein: How Do They Compare?
While wholesome cat food makes these two philosophies seem somewhat at odds, the best natural cat foods are (surprise, surprise) also high-quality animal protein! The difference is in prominence and formulation.
Natural products greatly emphasize the quality of ingredients and are free from artificial preservatives, while high protein product concern more on the macronutrient profile, which is protein as a significant part of calorie intake. A cat food can be natural without being particularly high in protein (some natural formulas use plant-based proteins or excessive carbohydrate fillers), and a high-protein food can contain artificial preservatives or synthetic additives.
For the average feline, the best foods in terms of animal protein quality, limited artificial additives, and low carbohydrate aligned for its own benefit. Carbs in general are a good topic of discussion – cats are poor starch digesters and high-corn, wheat, or rice diets can lead to blood sugar issues, obesity, and diabetes down the road.
Buggies for wet food versus dry food also figure in on this comparison. Wet food, natural or high-protein or not, provides superior hydration and is typically lower in carbs than dry kibble. Cats have a naturally low thirst drive and tend to be chronically slightly dehydrated on all dry food diets, which puts a strain on their kidneys over time. Many veterinary nutritionists now advise feeding a cat a diet based primarily on canned food.
Practical Feeding Tips for Cat Owners
No matter which diet you go with, there are a handful of practical, should-know basics.
Be sure to read the list of ingredients. The first ingredient should be a named animal protein — chicken, turkey, salmon, etc. Unspecific terminology such as “meat meal” or “animal by-products” without any additional explanation is a red flag for inferior quality sourcing.
Go with slow change. Cats are famously stubborn about change of any kind, and their digestive tracts can be upset by sudden switches in diet. To switch your pet’s food, gradually mix increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old food over a period of seven to 10 days.
Take the life stage into account. Kittens, adult cats, and elderly cats all have significantly different nutritional needs. Select a formula that is formulated for your cat’s current life stage or a premium “all life stages” formula that is appropriate for all life stages of cats and meets the increased requirements of growth.
Watch the body condition. There’s no such thing as an animal’s diet being divorced from the animal eating it. Routinely check your cat’s body condition. You should be able to feel her ribs, but not see ribs in a prominent way, and modify meal sizes as necessary. One of the prevalent yet manageable health conditions facing house cats today is obesity.
Talk to your vet. Cats with existing health conditions like kidney disease, urinary issues, or diabetes may need diets that are different from the standard lines. Call your vet. Your cat’s best chance for personalized nutritional guidance is a vet familiar with your cat’s medical history.
Deciding between natural and high-protein cat food is not a question of either/or. The best promise that any cat owner can make to their feline companion is to know what their cat really requires and that means going with quality ingredients, a complete and balanced diet, and not being swayed too much by marketing images or price tags. A fat, sated feline is, by just about every metric available, a better animal.