One of the animal welfare points that a cat as a pet needs to gain is freedom from hunger and thirst. This can be achieved by feeding and drinking water. Is the provision of food and drinking water sufficient to meet animal welfare? Of course not, pet owners need to pay attention starting from the amount of administration and also the nutrients needed by the cat. The next question is, what are the nutrients needed by cats? In this article will review about nutrition on the feed needed by cats and also tips on choosing quality cat food.
Nutritional Needs Of Cats
Wild cats that live in nature will meet their nutritional needs by hunting more. In one day a wild cat can eat more than 10 times but with small portions. Then what about cats that have been domesticated or have adapted to live with humans (pets)? A cat that is already a pet will depend on its owner, so it is the owner who needs to take responsibility for meeting the nutritional needs of the cat. Here is information about the nutritional needs of cats that need to be met :
Protein
Cats are true carnivores, which means they need animal protein as their main source of nutrition. The digestive system of cats does not have enzymes that are specific for digesting vegetable proteins, so the absorption of nutrients is inefficient. Sources of animal protein can be obtained from animal products such as meat and eggs. As the main source of nutrients, proteins have functions such as :
- Formation and maintenance of body tissues
- Plays a role in growth, the work of hormones and antibodies
- Meet the needs of essential amino acids
Animal Protein has an important role to meet the needs of cat essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the body. There are approximately 11 essential amino acids for cats, but 2 of them are important are taurine and methionine. Taurine plays an important role for heart function, vision and reproduction. While methionine is needed as urinary acidifier to prevent the formation of urinary stones/crystals.
Fat
Fat is the next important nutrient that contains quite a lot of energy. Sources of fat for cats can be obtained from animal products (fatty meat, skin, offal, fish oil) or vegetable oils. Functions of fats for cats such as :
- A solid source of energy for a cat's physical activity
- Penyerapan vitamin yang larut dalam lemak seperti vitamin A, D, E dan K
- Essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) play an important role in maintaining healthy cat skin and hair by keeping the skin moist, reducing inflammation and making the hair shiny
- Improves cat palatability by providing a preferred taste and texture
Carbohydrates
The role of carbohydrates is not as the main source of energy for cats so it is needed only in small amounts, but still has a function in the cat's body. Carbohydrate sources can come from grains such as wheat, vegetables and fruits. Some of the functions of carbohydrates for cats such as a source of reserve energy after protein and fat as well as a source of fiber that can help digestive health.
Vitamins
Vitamins are nutrients that are needed in small amounts but have an important role in the body. Terdapat dua kelompok vitamin yaitu vitamin larut lemak (vitamin A, D, E, K) dan larut air (vitamin B dan C). Sources of various vitamins can be obtained through animal products (meat, liver, eggs) or commercially formulated feed. In addition, the cat's body can produce vitamins by itself such as vitamin C. Here are some of the roles and functions of vitamins for the cat's body :
Minerals
Minerals are nutrients that need to be present in feed because they cannot be produced by the body. Mineral sources can come from bone meal or commercial feed that has been formulated so that there is mineral content. Here are some minerals and their functions for the cat's body :
Air
Water is a very important nutrient for cats because it plays a crucial role in the body. Some of the functions of water in the cat's body are :
- As a thermoregulator to help regulate the cat's body temperature through evaporation
- Helps in the process of digestion, transport and absorption of nutrients
- Helps lubricate joints thus preventing excessive friction
- Maintain the balance of electrolyte concentration in the body
The source of water can come from the feed consumed by the cat. Wet feed will have a higher water content than dry feed. Even so, drinking water still needs to always be available for cats in clean and fresh conditions.
The right feed for cats
Cat food is something that is important to note and not just for the short term but for the long term. Cat owners who provide good nutrition as needed will help cats live longer and have a better quality of life. Currently there are various types of feed that can be given to cats, be it home feed or commercial feed. Home feed made by cat owners themselves tend to be preferred and can be adjusted to the wishes of the cat. But the drawback is that it is impractical and it is not known for certain what the nutritional content is. Meanwhile, if you provide commercial feed, it will be more practical with clear nutritional content so that the provision can be adjusted to meet the nutritional needs of cats.
Commercial feed is available in various forms such as dry feed (dry food) in the form of kibble and wet feed (semi moist food or wet food). Of course, the form of feed has a different water content, dry feed has a water content of about 10% while the water content in wet feed can reach 80% more. In choosing commercial feed for cats, it is necessary to consider several things so that the feed is given exactly according to the needs of the cat. Here are some tips for choosing the right commercial feed for cats:
- Read the label or information on the feed packaging and pay attention to the composition and nutritional content. Make sure the main ingredients are made from animal protein and there are other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
- Adjust to the age of the cat because each stage of a cat's life has different nutritional needs. Kittens need a higher protein requirement of about 30%, while the protein requirement for adult cats is about 26%. Pay attention to the protein content on the commercial feed label and give it according to the needs of the cat.
DeliCats is a tuna-flavored cat feed formulated according to standards to meet the nutritional needs of cats ranging in age from 4 months to adulthood. Its crunchy texture can help reduce plaque on cat teeth. The nutritional content is also equipped with minerals that can strengthen the bones and teeth of cats and various vitamins that are important for metabolism and body health. In addition, the presence of omega 3 and omega 6 can maintain healthy skin and cat hair.
Adjust to the cat's health condition. If in a healthy condition then it can be given commercial feed without a doctor's recommendation. As for certain cats with poor health conditions such as having kidney problems, digestion, allergies or obesity, it is necessary to use feed with the recommendation of a veterinarian.
- Pay attention to commercial feed packaging. Avoid choosing feed packaging that has been damaged such as open or perforated because it can damage the quality of the feed in it and the possibility of being contaminated with contaminants.
Another important thing to note is that when you want to make Feed changes, you need to do it gradually. Cats have a sensitive digestive system so that if there is a sudden change of feed it can cause digestive disorders such as diarrhea. At the beginning of the feed change, give a new feed with a smaller portion first than the old feed, when the cat can adapt then the new feed portion can be added. Gradual Feed changes can help the cat to adapt and minimize the risk of stress or indigestion.
The responsibility of the cat owner is to fulfill what his beloved animal needs. By providing quality and nutritionally balanced feed as needed, it can help cats to live more quality and healthy lives.
