Cats are one of the most common choices when it comes to pets with 2.7 million owners in Australia itself. When you own a cat, it is important that you figure out some things that will help your cat remain healthy. A good diet plan is critical to a cat’s health.
Here are some of the most important nutrients that your feline friend needs in order to lead a healthy life:
Table of Contents
1. Animal Protein
Cats are strictly carnivorous. Animal protein has been a part of their natural diet for a long time and that is why it is important for them to consume some amount of it regularly. Cats get essential amino acids from eating animal proteins.
Moreover, it helps keep their tissues strong and provides strength to their muscles and heart. Giving your cat protein-rich food like chicken, beef, fish, and eggs will improve the regeneration and functioning of their body tissues and keep their claws strong. The quality of their fur will also improve as they become more healthy.
2. Fats
Fats are one of the primary sources of energy for cats. Feeding them a sufficient amount of fats as a part of their diet will ensure that they have plenty of strength and energy to go about their daily activities.
Foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for them. Meat and fish are both naturally rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 acids which are termed as “good fats” and help in improving feline health.
You can do some research on the particular types of meat and fish that have the required amount of these “good fats” for your cats and include them in sufficient quantities in their diet.
3. Carbohydrates
Generally, a lot of people don’t consider carbs to be an essential part of a cat’s diet. However, carbohydrates are necessary because they offer your cat an easily digestible and instant source of energy.
Whatever cat food you are offering your pet should have a good amount of carbs present in it. Typically, foods like wheat and rice have enough carbohydrate content to meet your pet’s needs.
Try to avoid uncooked legumes and soybeans as carb sources for your cats. While they are rich in content, they contain several antinutritional factors that are not very healthy for cats.
4. Water
Water is one of the most important nutrients for almost every living creature. Cats require a sufficient amount of water every day to remain healthy and avoid the buildup of a number of diseases.
Just like humans, 70% of a cat is water. Despite that, cats are known to consume less water than their body requires. They tend to sustain themselves on little water and absorb water through the food they eat.
However, you should make it a part of your cat’s habit to drink plenty of water each day. Drinking water helps with a number of things including the elimination of toxins and better metabolism.
It also distributes the other nutrients throughout the body and maintains body temperature. You should also try to include more wet food in your cat’s diet in place of dry foods as the water content is higher. You can get cat food and other essentials for your pets on https://www.petstock.com.au/cat.
5. Vitamins
The various vitamins are important for cats as they provide energy, give them strength and help build their immunity. Some of the most essential vitamins that your cat’s diet must include are:
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A helps strengthen the immune system and prevents your cat from falling sick with common diseases. It is also essential for a good vision. However, make sure to keep the amount limited as consuming too much vitamin A can be toxic. If you are using supplements, make sure that you consult your vet about the amount required by your cat.
Vitamin D:
Vitamin D helps in the proper functioning of bones and muscles. Generally, spending plenty of time playing outdoors can help your cat get a sufficient amount of vitamin D. If you are using supplements, don’t overdo it because vitamin D is fat-soluble.
Vitamin B1:
Vitamin B1, also called Thiamine, is essential for cats as it aids in metabolism. It is especially important to help in the digestion of carbohydrates and for nerve impulse transmission.
When you are creating a diet plan for your cat, you must include sufficient quantities of all of the nutrients mentioned above.