Mary Allen
There are two groups of minerals, depending on how large they are in the body and how much they need: bulk elements and trace elements.
Without minerals and trace elements the cat would not be able to survive: its bones would be soft, the blood would be colorless, and could not transport oxygen. Unlike the nutrients carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, minerals are inorganic substances. They do not provide food or energy. Based on the amount in the cat’s body and thus the need for minerals, two groups are distinguished: firstly, the “bulk elements”, such as calcium and magnesium, and secondly, the “trace elements”, which are only required in very small amounts, such as iron, zinc, and iodine. The tasks of the minerals are very diverse. Calcium and phosphorus are mostly found in the body as building materials, mainly in bones and teeth, and ensure their stability
The ratio has to be right. Calcium is also required for blood coagulation, the immune system, muscle activity, and nerve function, while phosphorus provides the metabolism with high-energy compounds. Compared to normal cat consumers, pregnant and especially lactating cats have a higher need for these minerals. Calcium deficiency, caused by stress or increased demand, can lead to disturbances in skeletal development and, rarely, to muscle cramps. Oversupply is also unhealthy, as it can lead to urinary stones and very rarely to soft tissue calcification. In addition to the absolute amount, the ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the feed is important when it comes to calcium supply: it should be 1.1 to 1. With one-sided meat feeding (e.g. with tartare) and thus a relatively large amount of phosphorus, bone deformation can easily occur. Calcium is found primarily in dairy products such as yogurt, low-fat quark, cottage cheese, and raw bones. Meat, offal, and offal are relatively low in calcium.
Urinary stones caused by too much magnesium are partly bound in the skeleton and partly in the soft tissue. The mineral fulfills important tasks in muscles, in energy metabolism, and in the function of enzymes. Severe magnesium deficiency leads to muscle weakness and cramps. An oversupply, on the other hand, increases the risk of urinary stone formation: struvite, a common type of stone in cats, contains magnesium. Feeds with high magnesium content are bones, meat, fishmeal, and wheat bran.
Sodium, together with chlorine and potassium, regulates the water balance in body fluids, is important for nerves, and is involved in the transport of nutrients in the body. It is important to have a balance between sodium (contained in blood, bones, and kidneys) and potassium (abundantly present in meat). An excess of sodium and chlorine, e.g. through too salty feed (table salt consists of sodium and chlorine) is harmless. Nevertheless, you should use it sparingly. Although trace elements are only required in small quantities, they are extremely important: The mineral iron makes the cat’s blood red, so it is part of the red blood pigment and is involved in the transport of oxygen in the body. Liver and oatmeal contain a lot of it.
In the case of zinc deficiency, the immune system suffers, because zinc has a multitude of functions and is part of a wide variety of enzyme systems. Meat, offal, dairy products, and oatmeal are good suppliers of zinc. However, too many plant products in the feed (phytin) can prevent the absorption of zinc. Sea fish and food seasoned with iodized table salt ensure that the supply of iodine is secured.