Essential Nutrients for Cats

Good food is very important for a cat’s healthy and vibrant life. Your cat’s health depends a lot on what you feed your cat or what the cat eats.

That’s why you need to pay special attention to your cat’s food to see how good or bad the food you feed your cat is for its health.

Cats need the following ingredients in their diet for good health:

Protein plays a very important role in the healthy and normal development of cats. The functions that protein does in the cat’s body are:

Energy:
- Protein is a cat’s most important source of energy. Enzymes in the cat’s liver constantly break down protein to maintain energy and blood glucose levels.
- When cats don’t get enough protein, their bodies will break down their own muscle tissue to meet their needs.
Building blocks:
- The building blocks of protein for cats are amino acids, which are broken down from protein in a cat’s digestive tract.
- Cats need 11 essential amino acids in their diet: arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, taurine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Cats can’t produce enough of these amino acids on their own, so they must get them from their diet.
Immune system:
- Protein contains amino acids, which are used to build white blood cells, antibodies, and immunoglobulins. These are the components that help a cat’s immune system fight off infectious diseases.
- The amino acid arginine is linked to increased T-cell immune function. T-cells are white blood cells that regulate the body’s immune responses and attack infections and cancers.
Growth:
- Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps with tissue growth and repair. A cat’s body breaks down protein into amino acids, which are then used to create new proteins that contribute to muscle growth.

Kitten: Their diet should contain at least 30% protein.
Adult: A minimum of 26% protein is required in the daily diet, but 30% will be very good for their health.
Senior: Senior cats are very frail and require a lot of energy, so a 55% protein diet is good for them.

Fats are an essential part of a cat’s diet for many reasons, including:

Energy:
- Fats provide twice as much energy as proteins and carbohydrates.
Cell membrane:
- Fat is a component of cell membranes and helps transport nutrients and other substances across them.
Skin:
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential for healthy skin.
Wound healing:
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are also important for wound healing.

Minerals are an important element for cats. This is how minerals help cats:

Bone and teeth:
- Calcium and phosphorus are vital for a cat’s bones and teeth.
Hormone regulation and building tissue:
- Minerals are important for building tissue in cats and regulating hormones because they help with the following:
  - Tissue structure: Minerals are part of the structure of tissues like bones and teeth.
  - Hormone production: Minerals help build hormones.
  - Enzyme activation: Minerals activate enzymes.
  - Stimulus transmission: Minerals transmit stimuli.
  - Tissue tension: Minerals maintain tissue tension.

Vitamins are important for cats because they support their health in many ways, including:

Growth and Development: Cats need vitamins to grow and develop properly.
Immune System: The easiest way to boost your cat’s immune system is to give vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate.
Skin, Hair, and Nails: Vitamins can promote healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Bones and Teeth:
- Vitamins and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D help cats develop strong bones and teeth.
- Vitamin D is especially important for cats because it helps them absorb calcium and phosphorus into their bones.
- Vitamin D deficiency can cause bone deformities and seizures in cats.
Vision: Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as antioxidants and amino acids, can help your cat’s vision.

Meat, Liver, and Fish – Provide vitamin B, which is important for a cat’s skin, coat, and nervous system.
Chicken Liver – A good source of vitamin A, which is important for a cat’s vision, skin, and immunity.
Fatty Fish and Fish Oil – Provide vitamin D, which is important for a cat’s bones and teeth.
Broccoli – High in vitamin C and vitamin K but should be given in moderation as too much can upset a cat’s stomach.
Spinach – Contains vitamins and antioxidants but should not be given to cats with urinary tract stones or other urinary concerns.
Eggs – Contain vitamin B12, vitamin B2, and vitamin D. The yolk has more cobalamin than the egg white, but it’s best to feed your cat the whole egg.
Blueberries – Contain antioxidants that can help keep your cat healthy and promote good joint health.
Carrots – Can be fed to cats every day and can enhance their cardiovascular, neural, digestive, and muscular health.
Chicken – A good source of lean protein and vitamin B12, which is important for a cat’s immune and nervous systems.

Kittens (0–1 year old):
- Kittens need special care for their food because they need to be fed at intervals.
- You should follow a routine when feeding kittens under 4–5 weeks of age.
- A kitten that is 3–5 weeks old should be fed every 4–6 hours if they are learning to eat solids.
- Kittens that are weaned should be fed two to three times a day.
Adult Cats (1–10 years old): Most adult cats should be fed once or twice a day.
Senior Cats (10+ years old):
- Senior cats should typically be fed twice a day with smaller portions.
- The exact frequency may vary depending on their health and individual needs.
- Consult your veterinarian for the best feeding plan for your cat.