What if I told you that the right food could make your cat jump higher and play longer?
According to the recent research, if you feed a cat high-protein cat food then your cat would be more active and healthier. Cats are natural meat eaters. They are obligate carnivores. It means that their body depends on protein derived from animals. Their digestive system is built to break down meat efficiently. Feed them amino acids and vitamins to stay healthy. They can develop health issues without proper diet cat food.
Protein is the main source of energy in cat food. Less protein can cause their body to start using their own muscles for energy. This is the reason for the need for high-protein cat food. If you feed them too little protein than they need. They can get health issues.
Contents
Why does Cat Need Protein?
Cats need protein as other living beings do. If you provide them with a balanced protein diet, they will live a healthy and active life. There are classes of nutrients that are provided by the diet.
- Fats
- Protein
- Water
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Carbohydrates
Different species digest and utilize nutrients in a different manner. This is the reason that they need different nutrient requirements. A cat owner must know what the best cat food is. to feed their cat properly.
Cats Are Obligated Carnivores
Domestic cats are similar to their wild predecessors. In the wild, a cat’s diet consists of mainly rats, rabbits and hamsters. This means that their body needs a diet consisting strictly of meat. This meat provides them essential nutrients for proper growth. The metabolism of a cat is built to digest amino acids and carbohydrates present in meat.
Daily Protein Need for Cats
Cats need protein every day to stay healthy. Knowing how much protein a cat needs a day is very important. More active cats need more energy. The quantity of a protein based on age, weight and activity level. A flow chart can help you know better.
Table
Cat type | Protein needed per day |
| Kitten (up to 6 months) | 10–12 g per kg of body weight |
| Adult cat (1–7 years) | 5–6 g per kg of body weight |
| Senior cat (7+ years) | 4–5 g per kg of body weight (adjust based on health) |
| Pregnant/Nursing cat | 8–10 g per kg of body weight |
| Active/Outdoor cat | 6–8 g per kg of body weight |
Cat Food Protein Calculator
If you are choosing the food for your cat. You have to check the protein content of the food. Check the label for crude protein percentage. Most commercial cat foods list protein content as a percentage. This doesn’t always mean how much protein your cat actually absorbs. Using a cat food protein calculator can help you determine the right amount. Meat is the main ingredient a cat food contains.
When Cats Need High-Protein Diet
Some cats need more protein than others. Growing kittens and pregnant cats require extra protein. Their bodies work hard to develop a sustainable life. Kittens need protein for muscle growth and a strong immune system. Active and outdoor cats burn more energy. They need extra protein to maintain their strength.
Cats recovering from illness may also need a high-protein diet. They can also throw undigested food out of the mouth if not properly fed. Sick cats often lose weight. A high intake of protein can prevent them from illness. Make sure that they get enough high-quality protein. It can make a big difference in healing process.
Common Sources of Protein
There are two main sources of protein in cat food. Both foods contain minerals and nutrients to make the body healthy and active. Some nutrients are present only in animal tissues.
- Taurine is an essential amino acid. It is only present in animal tissues.
- Methionine and cystine are amino acids especially needed in growth.
- Proteins from animal sources have higher biologic availability. Therefore, they are more readily used by the body.
Animal Protein
Common sources of animal protein in cat food include beef, chicken and turkey. Most of the cat foods contain by-products. Cat owners think that these by-products are bad ingredients. These by-products are as important as the meat. Many pet owners try to avoid by-products. It depends on the taste of the cat.
Plant Protein
Common sources of plant protein in cat food include corn, soy and grains. These sources do not contain sufficient nutrients as a portion of their diet. They still need animal tissue for adequate lifelong nutrition. They can get the right amount of protein only from meat.
Choosing The Best Protein for Cats
Not all proteins are the same. You have to understand what is crude protein in cat food. Crude protein content is the total protein content listed on pet food labels. It doesn’t tell you how digestible the protein is. It is essential to check the numbers and ingredients. A cat’s nutritional requirement chart can help you know the real amount of food to feed your cat.
You can feed your cat homemade cat food. You have complete control over protein content. Vet-approved homemade cat food recipes for cats and kittens can help you feed your cat better. You can increase the weight of the cat easily. Homemade cat food is completely in your control.
Risk Of Too Much Protein
Protein is essential for cats. It could be dangerous for your cat if you feed them too much protein. The function of the kidneys slowed down as they grew. This problem makes it harder for the cat to digest the food. This is the reason that vets recommend balanced protein intake for growing cats.
Balance is the key when it comes to protein. Healthy adult cats can handle high-protein diets. Excess protein does not provide extra benefits. It put kidneys to unnecessary work. This can cause urinary problems in the cats. You can feed homemade cat food for urinary problems to make them healthy. The goal is to provide enough protein to maintain muscle.
Conclusion
Protein is must important for cats. You have to feed them the right amount of protein to keep them active and healthy. Growing kittens and pregnant cats need a high-protein diet. Senior cats could need adjustments to protect their kidneys. Too much protein can be harmful for the cats. A regular visit to a vet can help you understand more.
FAQ’s
Should I give my cat high-protein food?
A kitten and a pregnant cat must need a high-protein food. They need more energy for growth and illness.
Is 40% protein too much for cats?
40% protein is not too much for the healthiest cats. It can be beneficial for active cats.
Do indoor cats need a lot of protein?
Indoor cats still need a good amount of protein. They may not require protein as highly active cats do.
How much protein does a cat need?
A healthy adult cat needs at least 26% protein in its diet. A study says they need 4–5 grams of protein per pound of their weight.
