Mary Allen
There is hardly a topic that is as hotly debated among cat lovers as nutrition. We have examined the most common prejudices.
Even experienced cat lovers still stick to some outdated nutritional recommendations for cats. But these have long been medically refuted. Here you will find the most common prejudices about cat nutrition – and what is really behind them!
Misconception 1: Cats Need Variety In Their Food
Variety has no relevant value for cats. If you give your cat a different food every two days, you are developing a little niggle that constantly demands new taste experiences.
The latter often leads to the cat eating more than is good for her out of sheer enthusiasm. It is better to familiarize young cats with different types of food.
Misconception 2: Cat Food Has Attractants Added
Sugar is found in many foods and has a reputation as a lure that increases food acceptance and is addictive to cats. The sweet addition is of no use to our cats, because they cannot taste sweetness due to a genetic defect in their taste buds. Rather, sugar is added to please the human eye: caramelized sugar gives the food a golden brown color and makes it more appetizing.
Misconception 3: Cats Can Also Fast Sometimes
Intermittent fasting is on everyone’s lips. However, anyone who thinks they are doing something good for their cat with a fasting cure is on the wrong track. Fasting is very dangerous, especially for overweight cats.
During food deprivation, fat deposits are used to meet energy needs. This has consequences for the liver metabolism: in the case of hepatic lipidosis, i.e. acute fatty degeneration of the liver, more fat accumulates in the liver cells.
Misconception 4: Carbohydrates Are Poison For Cats
Cats are highly specialized carnivores, but – like all animals – have a need for nutrients and not for ingredients. A study examining six different carbohydrate sources in cat food and evaluating their digestibility found starch digestion to be over 93% for all sources.
It depends on what role the carbohydrate source plays in the composition of the food: if it complements the high meat content of cat food in a sensible way, there is nothing wrong with it.
Misconception 5: Cereals Are The #1 Allergy Trigger
Gluten intolerance and food allergies are not, if ever, very rare in cats. The most common triggers for food allergies in cats are proteins of animal origin, especially beef, poultry, or dairy products. In comparison, wheat ranks lower. A study from France, in which 43 dogs and cats with food allergies were examined, confirms this.
Intolerance to the gluten contained in some types of grain has not yet been scientifically proven in cats.
Misconception 6: Dry Food Is Good For Dental Health
Eating and brushing your teeth at the same time – sounds funny, and it is. Dry food croquettes are usually much too small and swallowed quickly. The mechanical cleaning effect tends towards zero. The only thing that helps here is brushing the cat’s teeth yourself – this form of cleaning cannot be trumped by any dry food in the world in terms of effectiveness.
Misconception 7: Raw Feeding Is The Healthiest Form Of Cat Nutrition
BARF is no guarantee for a balanced diet. A study evaluated the nutritional content of 114 BARF recipes found online and in cookbooks. Of these, 94 recipes provided enough information for an assessment – and each one was deficient in at least one nutrient essential for cats, including taurine and vitamin E.
If you want to feed your cat permanently with BARF, you should never do this without the support of a veterinarian who specializes in small animal dietetics.
Misconception 8: Complete Food Meets All Of A Cat’s Needs – For A Lifetime
The complete feed should completely cover a cat’s nutritional needs. But it’s rarely that simple. A cat’s needs can change in terms of food composition, for example with:
- allergies
- Medical conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes
- the special phase of life such as kitten or senior