The Species-Appropriate Diet of the Cat

Some cats are happily purring couch potatoes, others are inquisitive neighbourhood explorers. Irrespective of whether you have a homebody or an outdoor adventurer, the following holds true - by nature your cat is a hunter which preys on animals in the wild. 

Superstition notwithstanding, every cat really only has one life, so it is up to us humans to provide a species-appropriate diet for these little carnivores and to respect their needs.
In nature cats eat various small meals each day. Every scrap of the mice, birds, fish and insects they catch are eaten, including offal, stomach contents, bones and fur. This provides cats with everything they need to live, which are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibre and liquid. A varied mixed feed with wet food, some fresh meat and a little dry food is ideal for a house cat, and well suited to everyday life.

Meat is the basis of healthy cat nutrition

Every cat is a carnivore by nature. Meat is therefore the most important component in their diet. Healthy cat nutrition without meat is inconceivable, but the secret is having the right blend. The percentage of meat in a cat’s menu is crucial. For species-appropriate conditions a cat needs at least 80 to 85 percent meat in its meal every day in order to absorb vital nutrients and avoid deficiency symptoms. When humans eat well they keep well. Cats also appreciate tasty food and feel well when their hunger is satisfied with all the important nutrients.

Feeding a cat a vegetarian diet is contrary to nature

Many people are vegetarian out of conviction, and some think they can feed their beloved pet the same way. But watch out! A purely vegetarian diet is unnatural and harmful to cats! Their bodies are designed to digest meat. Cats need meat to absorb vital nutrients. If a house cat is fed a purely vegetarian diet it needs a lot of dietary supplements. Even if, in theory the cat is getting all the important nutrients it needs, it won’t enjoy vegetarian food because this is simply not its natural way of eating. We would therefore strongly advise against feeding cats a purely vegetarian diet.

Healthy cat nutrition with proteins, fats and carbohydrates

For a long and healthy life, a cat needs a species-appropriate balanced diet. The nutrients which cats need as part of a healthy diet include proteins, fats and carbohydrates. High-quality proteins of animal origin are important for building bones and giving cats a glossy coat. Vital fats ensure a sound metabolism.

Taurine is an essential building block to healthy feline nutrition

Taurine is an organic acid within an amino group. In human and animal metabolism taurine is responsible for the formation of bile acid. This means that taurine is directly associated with a healthy metabolism and a functioning digestive system. There hasn’t been any conclusive scientific proof, but taurine can help in supporting the central nervous system and promoting muscle development. Unlike dogs, cats only create small amounts of taurine in their bodies. It is therefore absolutely essential that they get taurine from their food. If not, they may suffer from deficiencies resulting in blindness, infertility or deafness. The best natural source of taurine for cats is raw red meat, especially lean meat and offal such as liver or brain. Hearts are also rich in taurine, preferably chicken hearts fed raw several times a week. A healthy alternative is green-lipped mussel powder, which contains natural taurine.

How much water does a cat need?

Two thirds of a cat’s body consist of water. A cat satisfies its need for moisture almost exclusively through its diet, so it does not drink much by instinct. It is not good for their moisture balance if cats prefer dry food and consistently refuse to touch wet food. In principle an adult cat needs between 40 and 50 millilitres of water per kilogram of body weight. This means that a cat weighing five kilograms should be drinking around 200 millilitres of water in addition to its feed. But don’t panic if the water bowl remains untouched. Many cats drink unobtrusively from unintended sources, for example from flower vases. It is important for your cat’s diet to consist mainly of wet food, with dry food only playing a supplementary part in the meal. If you are worried that your cat is not drinking enough, you can check whether its water reserves are depleted using a simple test. Pull up a fold of skin at the nape of the cat’s neck. If this does not go away immediately when you let go, you should consult a vet to be on the safe side. Kidney complaints can result from cats drinking too little on a permanent basis.

BARF as a form of species-appropriate food for cats

BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Feeding. In addition to meat and offal, BARF includes vegetables, fruit and herbs. In principle, this type of diet is healthy for cats, as it doesn’t contain unwanted additives like sugar. There is still the risk of under or over supplying important nutrients. Feeding is also time consuming and using high-quality fresh meat can push up the cost.

Felins Plus® for healthy cat nutrition

With Felins Plus® Meal Rolls you are providing your little predator holistically with everything it needs. The four different flavours – beef, chicken, rabbit and pollock are sure to impress and are balanced complete foods which meet the needs of every cat. To supplement wet food or BARF you can serve cold pressed Felins Plus® Dry Food to provide some variety. Naturavetal® Felins Plus® Cat Food ensures that you are providing a healthy, species-appropriate diet for your cat. Cats’ eyes play a part too! As discerning gourmets, your feline friends pay a lot of attention to crockery. They prefer eating from natural containers like glass, earthenware or porcelain. Cats drink best when their water is not immediately beside their food bowl.