While your cat may be far from the size and ferocity of their wilder counterparts seen on Discovery, they have one thing in common — both need protein to survive.
It has been said several times that cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they must get their nutrients from meat only. A vegetarian diet is not fit for a cat’s health, as they lack the physiology required to digest plants.
However, all foods that have high protein sources are not automatically good for cats. Cat owners must also ask questions — like, what is the source of this protein? How much protein should be in the diet, and how much can be fed? How to know which foods are higher in protein? What about pets that are allergic to certain foods?
Well, here is everything you need to know about finding the best protein sources for your cat!
The Source is Everything
Experts agree that the healthiest diet for a cat is one based primarily on meat with small amounts of carbohydrates and plant-based protein. Animal proteins are more biologically available than proteins derived from plants. Animal flesh is regarded as a complete food source since it can give cats more of the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids they need.
However, proteins are only as good for your cat as they are digestible. Only when dietary protein is properly absorbed and digested can cats benefit from it. Thus, it is better if you buy cat food that contains high-quality or digestible protein sources.
Single-protein cat food, such as chicken, lamb, or fish is more digestible than food made from rendered animal products, such as meat meal or meat by-products. This is because more amino acids are preserved. Furthermore, animal proteins include more essential amino acids for cats (arginine, taurine, and lysine) than plant-based proteins.
Too Much Protein?
With the increased popularity of grain-free and low carbohydrate meals in recent years, we have received an increase in inquiries from cat parents concerned about providing too much protein. One explanation for this dilemma is the persistent notion that eating too much protein might induce renal damage, particularly in elderly cats.
This myth has been debunked by nutritional research, but it persists.
This misconception arose when doctors began to feed low-protein diets to animals suffering from kidney illness in order to reduce nitrogen levels. Veterinarians today recommend a diet that has higher quality, more digestible protein for cats with kidney disease, rather than low-protein diets. The higher the protein quality, the less waste produced during digestion, resulting in less effort for the kidneys and lower nitrogen levels in the body.
Cats usually excrete out excess protein, or convert it to fat, or use it as energy. So, “How much is too much protein?” depends on their metabolism and activity levels.
Why Protein?
Proteins are the building blocks of all body organs and tissues, including cartilage and tendons, as well as fur, skin, and blood, as well as muscles and the heart. They can also be enzymes, hormones, or antibodies.
Cats require more protein than most other domestic animals, including dogs, pigs, chickens, and even humans. High-quality, easily digestible protein is especially vital for nursing kittens and adult cats.
Keeping your Cat Healthy, With the Right Protein
As said before, it’s critical to note that consuming more protein does not always imply better health. Protein is an important component of excellent nutrition, but the quality of the protein, as well as the balance of other vital nutrients, is required for maximum health.
The right food for your cat should contain a precise, healthy balance of all essential amino acids and high-quality digestible proteins, as well as other nutrition that aids in the achievement and maintenance of overall wellness.
Instead of meat meal or by-products, look for labels that identify chicken, lamb, rabbit, pig’s heart, pig’s liver, and so on at the front of the ingredients list. Muscle meats and organs have been found in studies to be highly digestible sources of protein for cats.
Choosing a diet for your furry friend involves considering several factors like their metabolism, activity levels, allergies, and more. But however their diet be, you must make sure to also include high-quality protein.
