FEEDING CATS
Feeding your cat the appropriate amount of a well balanced diet is vital to
the maintenance of overall health and well being, and just as important as eating
a well balanced diet is for us. In order to understand how and what to feed
cats, it is necessary to discuss how the nutritional requirements of the cat
have developed through the process of evolution.
With respect to diet and health the two most important evolutionary facts
are:-
First, that cats are obligate carnivores and second, they are of desert origin.
While some may find the fact that the domestic cat is an obligate carnivore
disturbing and/or objectionable, it is important to bear in mind the practical
consequences - cats cannot be vegetarians!
Through evolution cats have become dependent on the specific forms of nutrients
found only in animal tissue. Examples include certain fatty acids and vitamins
(especially Vitamin A and niacin). These nutrients are not found in plant tissue
in forms that can be used by cats. Equally important, as an obligate carnivore,
cats require high levels of dietary protein with the appropriate balance of
amino acids (the building blocks from which proteins are made).
Most mammals including humans and cats use the protein in food to build and
maintain tissue and carry out biological reactions. However, unlike other mammals,
cats have evolved in such a way as to be "obliged" to also use protein
as a source of daily calories! By comparison, humans have evolved to use carbohydrates
for the same purpose. Once again, high levels of the correct types of protein
which cats need can only be found in animal tissue. In fact diets containing
plant protein are not digested as efficiently, and could be harmful or even
fatal if fed as the only source of protein because they contain inappropriate
levels of certain critical amino acids.
The second evolutionary fact unique to the domestic cat is that its ancestors
were of desert origin. Subsequently there are many aspects of cat life that
are different than other mammals. On a practical basis, because their desert
origin allows them to conserve water more efficiently cats can drink less water
per day than a dog of similar size. Fresh drinking water should of course always
be provided. However, do not be alarmed if it is not always used. In fact some
cats fed moist foods get most of their water directly from the food and their
owners rarely see the cat actually drink!
In addition to these unique nutritional requirements, it is also important
to consider the normal feeding behavior of the domestic cat. Left to their own
devices cats are "nibblers' and they will eat small meals frequently throughout
the day and night. In fact, depending on the individual and the type of food,
some cats will eat from 12 - 20 meals a day! This is especially true for dry
foods, whereas moist foods (tinned or canned) are usually consumed quickly as
larger meals. Furthermore, as anyone that has ever owned a cat can attest, they
can be "finicky"! This simply reflects the fact that a cats eating
behavior is influenced by the texture, odor, temperature, and flavor of food.
Whereas dogs may be content eating one particular flavor of food, recent studies
reveal that cats do in fact become "bored" and prefer a variety of
flavors! This explains why so many popular cat foods are available in different
flavors Also food temperature influences odor, and like us cats prefer food
that "smells good". Since warm food has more odor or smell it is more
readily eaten. This is useful when cats are ill, they can be encouraged to eat
simply by warming the food.
With the unique nutritional requirements and feeding behavior of the domestic
cat in mind, it is easy to appreciate practical recommendations for feeding.
First, fresh clean drinking water should be available all the time.
Feeding kittens
Early in life kittens need to eat often! They need relatively larger quantities
of food because they are growing rapidly, but have limited space in their tiny
stomachs!
At eight weeks they need about 5 meals a day.
By 6 months the need for food is decreased as kittens are about 75%
"grown-up" and can be fed 2 meals a day.
A good quality kitten food has advantages over adult cat food since it has
been specially formulated. Because of their rapid growth any nutritional "mistakes"
made during kittenhood will have more severe consequences. Kitten foods are
specially formulated to provide the nutrients needed to meet the demands of
rapid growth in a compact form when food intake is limited by tiny stomachs!
Since growth is almost complete by 6 months, kittens can be switched to "adult"
cat food at 6-8 months of age.
Contrary to popular myth, kittens and adult cats do not need milk. In fact
after weaning, kittens often lose the ability to digest milk sugar (lactose)
by about 12 weeks of age. Therefore, while small amounts may be tolerated, too
much can lead to intestinal upset and diarrhea because it is not digested properly!
Feeding the adult cat
Adult cats can be given access to dry food all day. However most owners (and
cats) prefer to feed small meals of moist food once or twice a day and provide
dry food in between meals. This is fine as long as the cat also has plenty of
opportunity to avoid becoming obese by having plenty of play time! It is important
to remember that like us humans, each cat is an individual. Therefore the number
of meals offered and the amount and type of food used will vary with individual
preferences and activity levels (for example outdoor cats may need more food
than less active indoor cats). Also, nutritional requirements and dietary preferences
change over the course of the cats lifetime!
Choosing a good quality food from the hundreds available can be difficult.
Although some small manufacturers make very good products, unless you are familiar
with a specific manufacturer it is best to chose a major brand name. Try to
use diets which have undergone feeding trials (this will be stated on the label).
In general, you and your cat get what you pay for! Inexpensive "bargain"
foods are really not a bargain in the long run. Good quality foods are generally
more expensive but better value, and the most inexpensive way to assure a long,
healthy, and happy life is through proper nutrition!
When in doubt, the best source of help is your veterinarian or veterinary
nurse!
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