Nutrition of the Domestic Cat

An Article written by: VH Menrath, BVSc, BAgr, MACVSc -Published in "Target" all breeds magazine of the Council of Federated Cat Clubsof Queensland and printed in an issue of "National Cat".

It is typical of the cat's independent nature that although it has been a companion of man for many centuries, it has generally refused to change its dietary habits. The cat has continued to hunt and provide for itself at every opportunity. In its natural state, the cat is a healthy and resourceful animal and as a hunter is second to none.

Recent nutritional studies have proved the cat to be a pure carnivore. It is unable to exist in its natural environment without a diet of tissues and organs of other animals. A wild cat eats all of its prey - hair, skin, flesh, bones and internal organs.

Since the wild cat is a healthy animal with excellent teeth and bone structure, it has given us some clues in the search for a good diet for our domesticated companions. Cat owners often unknowingly cause nutritional dieseases in their animals in a quest to provide a balanced diet.

Research studies indicate the cat's dietary requirements are unique.

 Protein

The cat has an extraordinarily high requirements for protein. An adult cat needs 20% of its total daily calorie intake to be protein. This is about five times that required by a dog. Kittens need 30% protein for normal growth and development.

The majority of the protein has to be of animal origin. If a cat is fed exclusively on tinned dog food, it loses weight gradually and eventually becomes irreversibly blind.

 Vitamin A

The cat is unable to synthesise Vitamin A from the plant pigment carotene and has to eat the vitamin in its true form. Cats have a high Vitamin A requirement, but excessive doses are more disastrous then deficiencies.

Raw liver is an excellent source of Vitamin A but cats often become addicted to eating liver, which causes excess bone tissue to be laid down in joints. The Vitamin A poisoning eventually causes permanent stiffness of the legs and neck.

Low grade Vitamin A deficiencies occur quite commonly, especially in breeding catteries, where stress caused through viral respiratory infection or pregnancy results in a rapid depletion of Vitamin A stored in the liver. This not only results in prolonged recovery from illness but is a common cause of sterility, reduced litter size and birth defects such as flattened chests and cleft palates.

 Vitamin D

Vitamin D is required for normal bone growth and development. Cats with Vitamin D deficiency develop a disease known as rickets. Rickets in cats is virtually unknown in Australia. This is because cats need only minute quantities and are able to synthesise Vitamin D in their skin under the influence of sunlight.

Over-zealous Vitamin D supplements in the diet, through cod liver oil and Vitamin D/calcium mixtures - can cause mineralisation of body organs. Mineralisation in the heart, arteries and kidneys can lead to death.

 Calcium

The most common man induced nutritional disease in young cats is bone disease due to a diet of too little calcium and excessive amounts of phosphorus.

Growing kittens rapidly acquire a taste for raw beef and stubbornly refuse to eat anything else. Although beef is an excellent source of protein and B vitamins, it contains very little calcium and large quantities of phosphorus - just the right ingredients for severe bone weakness which can cause permanent spinal and pelvic deformities.

 Fats

Cats are not capable of utilising vegetable oils for all their requirements and need to have part of their daily diet as animal fat. Too much vegetable or fish oil can cause pancreatitus, known as 'yellow fat disease', where the fat pads and internal fat deposits become severely inflamed and painful.

 Vitamin B

One of the most startling nutritional diseases in cats is due to thiamine or Vitamin B1 deficiency. Thiamine is essential for a healthy nervous system and raw meat and offal normally provide ample quantities of b vitamins. Yeast powder or tablets are also an excellent source of Vitamin B.

Thiamine deficiency can occur in two ways. The first is by feeding cooked meat and offal where the cooling process destroys all the B vitamins. The second is to feed a large proportion of the diet as raw fish, especially deep sea fish which contains enzymes that destroy thiamine.

Both these feeding methods will eventually lead to a disease called Chastek's paralysis which has neurological symptoms such as convulsions and paralysis - and finally permanent brain damage.

 Summary

These unusual nutritional requirements of the domestic cat ensure it is extremely sensitive to man interfering with its natural diet. Ideally we should feed a diet of mice, rats, birds and other small prey - but this is impractical.

Cat breeders and owners are fortunate the pet food industry has studied their animals' needs to provide them with a wide range of good quality tinned and dried foods. These prepared foods are divided into two types - one provides a complete diet and the other must be supplemented with other foods.

It is important to distinguish between the two types. Vitamins and minerals are added to these prepared foods to prevent deficiencies.

So What Should you Feed your Cat?

 Do feed raw liver but only once or twice weekly

 Do feed raw bones, such as large chicken bones and lamb chops bones regularly. Bones are an excellent source of calcium which ensures healthy teeth and gums. Cats rarely get bones stuck in their throats.

 Do feed milk and other dairy products such as cheese - if your cat likes it. A few cats are allergic to milk which will cause diarrhoea.

 Do feed a varied diet to young kittens to prevent them becoming finicky eaters as adults

 Don't feed one foodstuff only continuously - vary with foods such as tinned food, milk, cheese, fresh beef, fresh chicken or cooked fish.

Don't feed dry food as a complete diet to male cats. This could play a part in the formation of bladder crystals and subsequent bladder obstruction.