Mary Allen
Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are essential for every organism. We explain the role these nutrients play in your cat’s diet.
Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates – are terms listed on every cat food label. But what is actually behind it? How important are these so-called macronutrients for my cat? What deficiency symptoms can occur if my cat does not get enough of these nutrients? And can they also harm my cat if she eats too much? We clarify and reveal what you should definitely consider when buying cat food.
Proteins In Cat Food
As a predator, the cat specializes entirely in the utilization of animal proteins.
What Are Proteins?
Proteins are complex molecules made up of several smaller building blocks called amino acids. Some of these amino acids are called essential, i.e. the cat cannot produce them itself and must therefore obtain them from food. Proteins are mainly found in meat, fish, and eggs. Proteins perform important functions throughout the body: For example, every cell wall consists of a protein framework, and proteins are also indispensable for muscle building and metabolic processes.
How Important Is A Protein In Cat Food?
Proteins are the most important component in cat food! Because cats cover their energy needs mainly from animal proteins. Their digestive system is that of a highly specialized carnivore: starting with their sharp teeth, which can even crack bones, through their stomachs with their highly aggressive digestive juices, to their small intestines. Compared to that of dogs, it is relatively short and designed for the optimal utilization of proteins.
The daily protein requirement of an adult, healthy, non-pregnant, or lactating cat is around five grams per kilogram of body weight. When cats ingest dietary protein, the body breaks it down into its component parts, called amino acids. These are then utilized by the organism. One of the essential amino acids is taurine, for example, A taurine deficiency can manifest itself in heart damage, a weakened immune system, retinal damage, reduced fertility, and developmental disorders in young kittens. Therefore, high-quality proteins are an integral part of our cats’ diet.
What To Look Out For When Buying Cat Food
Meat, fish, and eggs are among the top sources of protein. However, since they are quite expensive, many feed manufacturers switch to cheaper alternatives: the term “animal by-products”, which is often found on labels, describes nothing other than slaughterhouse waste. The exact composition often remains imprecise. With high-quality cat food, on the other hand, exact information is given on the type and quantity of meat, which allows conclusions to be drawn about the value of the proteins.
Carbohydrates In Cat Food
When it comes to carbohydrates, be careful. Because the cat cannot use all carbohydrates.
What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are pure sugar: Simple sugars such as glucose or fructose can combine to form several, which leads to the formation of double, multiple, or multiple sugars.
The latter includes, for example, starch, but also the indigestible cellulose. The brain, the red blood cells and the kidney marrow in particular are dependent on glucose (a simple sugar) for energy production.
How Important Are Carbohydrates In Cat Food?
Carbohydrates play a subordinate role in cat nutrition. Although glucose is essential for energy to reach the cells via the blood, cats are able to form their blood sugar levels using proteins. They are therefore not dependent on carbohydrates, which is ultimately reflected in their anatomy, which is not designed for the development of carbohydrates.
Are Carbohydrates Harmful To Cats?
No, carbohydrates are not necessarily harmful to the cat. For example, when a cat eats a mouse, it automatically ingests its gastrointestinal contents. This mini portion of carbohydrates is sufficient for the cat and also well tolerated – after all, the mouse has already done its digestive work. Since cats have difficulty breaking down starch, they often react to a high-carbohydrate diet with digestive problems. Only well digested carbohydrates can be used as a source of energy.
What To Look Out For When Buying Cat Food
Carbohydrates in the form of grain or rice are cheaper than animal proteins and fats and are therefore a popular alternative in the animal feed industry. Nevertheless, not every cat food with a carbohydrate content is bad: It depends on the function of the carbohydrates. Carbohydrates can be a valuable source of energy and natural suppliers of vitamins if they are properly digested. However, if it becomes apparent that they are only intended to distract from a low meat content, this indicates inferior cat food.
Fats In Cat Food
Fats are also important in cat nutrition, but only allowed in moderation. Healthy fats are mainly found in oily fish and vegetable oils.
What Are Fats?
Fats consist of several building blocks, including the so-called fatty acids, which occur in saturated and unsaturated form. The latter are essential for cats (e.g. linoleic acid and arachidonic acid) and must be ingested through food.
Fats are effective suppliers of energy and contain twice as many calories per gram as proteins or carbohydrates.
How Important Are Fats In Cat Food?
Fats are important, but only allowed in moderation. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are just as healthy for cats as they are for humans, ensuring healthy skin texture and a shiny coat. They even have an anti-inflammatory effect! In addition, fats support the utilization of fat-soluble vitamins and are important aroma carriers.
What To Look Out For When Buying Cat Food
Due to its high energy content, fat should only be included in moderation on your cat’s diet, otherwise it will quickly become lumpy! Depending on the composition, the fat content of cat food is between 5 and 60 percent; most cats prefer a fat content of 25 to 40 percent. The term “crude fat” on the label provides an indication of the fat content.
Distinguish Good Cat Food From Bad Cat Food
Do you know that too? They stand in front of the bulging feed rack and can no longer see the forest for the trees. Every feed manufacturer promotes its feed with enticing advertising messages. It is difficult to distinguish good food from bad food. In addition, there is the cryptic information about the ingredients. Most pet owners only understand the station. So that this doesn’t happen to you again, we will explain how to read food labels correctly. Because we all want only one thing for our cats: the best!