Cat Nutrition Requirements

Current AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles

For Adult Maintenance

Unless otherwise listed, all values are minimum requirements:

Protein… 26%
Fat …… 9%
Calcium…. 0.6%
Phosphorus… 0.5%
Potassium… 0.6%
Sodium….. 0.2%
Chloride…. 0.3%
Magnesium… 0.04%
Iron... 80 mg/kg
Copper… 5 mg/kg
Manganese…. 7.5 mg/kg
Zinc……. 75 mg/kg (maximum 2000 mg/kg)
Iodine….. 0.35 mg/kg
Selenium…. 0.1 mg/kg
Vitamin A… 5000 IU/kg (maximum 750,000 IU/kg)
Vitamin D… 500 IU/kg (maximum 10,000 IU/kg)
Vitamin E… 30 IU/kg
Thiamine… 5 mg/kg
Riboflavin… 4 mg/kg
Pantothenic Acid… 5 mg/kg
Niacin… 60 mg/kg
Pyridoxine… 4 mg/kg
Folic Acid….0.8 mg/kg
Vitamin B12…0.022 mg/kg
Choline….. 2400 mg/kg
Taurine… 0.1%

(For cats diets with over 25 percent of the diet made from fish products, Vitamin K 0.1 percent is necessary)

For Growing Kittens, Pregnant and Lactating Queens

The majority of nutrient minimums are the same except for the items listed. The maximum for those listed does not change.

Protein…30%
Calcium 1%
Phosphorus 0.8%
Magnesium… 0.08%
Copper… 5-15 mg/kg
Vitamin A… 9000 IU/kg
Vitamin D… 750 IU/kg

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Also look here: http://www.serve.com/BatonRouge/nrc1.htm

Cat nutrition FAQ

Always check for how long, after opening the box, dry food can be kept

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My cat loves eating people food in addition to her cat food. She's not overweight, but I was wondering if there are foods that could be bad for her health?

Yes, there are some foods you should avoid giving to your cat. Chocolate can be toxic to cats. Also, the onion powder found in some baby foods can be toxic to cats. Generally speaking, I would discourage you from feeding your cat people food. It is a habit that can reduce the efficacy of a nutritionally complete and balanced diet. Additionally, it can encourage your cat to develop the habit of begging or stealing food, as well cause her to become a finicky eater.

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Is it normal for a cat to vomit after eating a new food?

Yes, it can sometimes take a while for a cat to adjust to a new diet. When introducing a new food you should slowly mix it in with the food the cat is used to. Each day increase the amount of the new food in the mixture and decrease the amount of the old. By gradually introducing new foods over a period of seven days, you will reduce the chances of a negative reaction to the new food.

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Can pork or ham be given to a cat?

Yes. However, please limit the amount given to your cat, so it is only provided as an occasional treat. Table scraps should be limited to not more than 10% of your cat's daily food intake, since they do not provide a complete and balanced diet.

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How often and at what time should I feed my cat?

Feed kittens at least three times per day. Adult cats can be fed once or twice a day, depending upon the cat’s and the owner's preference.

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Does my cat need some variety in her diet?

No. Cats do best when fed the same food every day. Giving a lot of variety can cause gastrointestinal upset and cause your cat to become a finicky eater.

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I'd like to switch my cat to a new food, but I’ve heard this can cause problems. What is the best way to help him adjust?

Be sure to do so gradually over a 7 - 10 day period. This will help avoid digestive upsets. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with the present food. Gradually increase the new food while decreasing the old food over a 7 - 10 day period. This is especially important when changing from canned to dry food.

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Does the temperature of cat food make a difference to the cat, or does it not matter?

Temperature does matter. Cats prefer their food at room temperature. Along with the cat food, provide fresh drinking water in a clean bowl.

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I feed my 6 cats Purina Cat Chow. Since cats love variety, is it okay to feed your Deli Cat brand at times? If so, should this be done as a mix or separate?

Cats enjoy as much variety as they learn to expect. Feeding different diets can intensify a cat’s desire for variety. Ultimately, you could create a finicky eater who keeps holding out to see what diet you will offer next.

Cats tend to experience diarrhea and/or vomiting when diets are changed abruptly. If your cat can tolerate a diet change, you could continue the practice you describe. However, be aware that you might be developing a finicky eater.

You can mix the two products. Since Purina Cat Chow brand cat food appears to be the diet of preference, add a lesser amount of Deli Cat brand cat food to the mix. If you would like the convenience of feeding only Purina Cat Chow and the avoidance of creating a finicky eater, gradually decrease the amount of Deli Cat in the mix until your cat is eating only Purina Cat Chow.

Variety in human diets is the result of our need for nutrients available only through consuming a variety of foods. No one food offers humans the complete and balanced nutrition found in high quality commercial cat food diets such as Purina Cat Chow and Purina Deli Cat. Both products are nutritionally balanced for all stages of a cat’s life.

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When I eat something salty like pretzels or saltines, my cat wants to lick the salt. Should I let her do it or could salt be harmful to her?

Cats sometimes have unusual food tastes. Licking small amounts of salt should not be harmful if the cat always has access to drinking water. If the licking salt becomes excessive, the cat should be kept out of the area where the salty food is being consumed or be provided with its own treat – a cat snack.

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What can I do to reduce the tarter on my cat’s teeth?

The most effective way to reduce tartar on a cat’s teeth is to brush its teeth regularly. Your veterinarian can show you how. Toothpastes formulated for cats are available at pet supply stores. Be certain the label states the product is formulated for cats. Do not use a toothpaste formulated for humans. When swallowed, it could cause digestive upsets. Feeding a dry cat food such as Purina® Cat Chow® brand Cat Food aids in promoting good dental health. The chewing action acts like a toothbrush as the particles scrape against the teeth to help remove tartar buildup. A veterinarian should conduct regular dental examinations. A good opportunity for this examination is during the yearly physical examination at the time vaccinations are given. Regular cleaning and scaling under mild anesthesia, done by a veterinarian, aids in preventing or minimizing dental problems.

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Is there alternative toothpaste I can make at home? The ones at the store didn’t meet my cats’ approval.

Were the toothpastes you tried formulated for cats? Cats swallow, rather than spit out, toothpaste. The taste of a human toothpaste could be unpalatable and possibly could cause digestive upsets. Toothpastes formulated for cats are designed to be palatable and safe for a cat to swallow. If your cat has rejected toothpastes formulated for cats, use either a wash cloth or a gauze bandage to clean the teeth with warm water or a mild salt-water solution. The wash cloth or gauze bandage is slightly abrasive to aid in tartar removal.

Perhaps the brushing technique is uncomfortable or upsetting to the cat. Ask a veterinarian to demonstrate the proper technique for brushing.

The veterinarian should also check your cat’s teeth regularly. A good opportunity for this is during the physical examination at the time vaccinations are given.

Eating dry cat food is also beneficial to a cat’s dental health. The action of chewing dry food acts as an abrasive and helps slow tartar buildup on the teeth.

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What is the best food for my cat? She is 15 months old.

Before you choose a cat food, read the label to be certain the food is nutritionally complete and balanced for all life stages and has undergone feeding studies. These studies substantiate its nutritional claims. Purina Cat Chow is an example of a diet formulated to provide the nutrition a cat requires during all its life stages. It has been extensively tested at the Purina Pet Care Center to validate its nutritional merit.

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Is it okay to feed my cat only dry cat food? Or should I mix a liquid food with the dry food? Is it more nutritional?

A dry food such as Purina Cat Chow brand cat food is nutritionally complete and balanced for all stages of a cat’s life. Adding a liquid food is not necessary and may even upset the nutritional balance of the dry food.

In addition to providing complete and balanced nutrition, dry foods play an important part in a cat’s dental health. The chewing action a cat employs while eating dry food acts as a toothbrush as the particle scrape against the teeth to remove plaque and tartar build-up. If left unchecked, this build –up can lead to inflammation of the gums and subsequent dental problems.

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How can I keep my cat’s interest in her food?

Animals left to their own devices usually eat to meet their energy needs. Encouraging your cat to eat may lead to obesity and subsequent health problems.

If your cat sometimes refuses to eat its regular diet, feeding food from the table and special treats may be the cause. Cats can be notorious “holdouts” when they are offered a variety of foods. Feeding “goodies” in addition to a cat’s regular diet can also lead to obesity and potential health problems.

If you are feeding your cat only its regular diet and it has consistently displayed a lack of interest in food, this may be a sign of illness and your veterinarian should be consulted.

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How can I keep my cat’s interest in her food?

Animals left to their own devices usually eat to meet their energy needs. Encouraging your cat to eat may lead to obesity and subsequent health problems.

If your cat sometimes refuses to eat its regular diet, feeding food from the table and special treats may be the cause. Cats can be notorious “holdouts” when they are offered a variety of foods. Feeding “goodies” in addition to a cat’s regular diet can also lead to obesity and potential health problems.

If you are feeding your cat only its regular diet and it has consistently displayed a lack of interest in food, this may be a sign of illness and your veterinarian should be consulted.

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Can 1/2 tsp. of scrambled eggs several times a week hurt my cat? Would the cat benefit from vitamins A and B’s in the eggs?

A small amount of scrambled eggs would probably not hurt your cat, nor would it be of any nutritional benefit. When you feed a nutritionally complete and balanced pet food, no vitamin supplementation is needed unless a veterinarian for health reasons recommends it. When vitamin A is consistently added to a complete and balanced diet, toxicity may result. Signs of toxicity include poor growth, vision problems and impaired reproduction.

Vitamins are added to pet foods in sufficient amounts to withstand long-term storage.

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Alcohol is not good for cats

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Can caffeine hurt cats?

Caffeine can be as detrimental to cats as it is to humans if consistently consumed. If your cat laps a very small amount occasionally, it should not be harmful. Be careful about how much is offered and how often.

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Now that the winter months are here, is it normal that my cat wants to eat more? In the last week he’s been eating more food (we don’t give him more than he eats because of weight gain), but I heard that it’s linked to winter months.

Is your cat housed outside? Or is it an indoor/outdoor cat or an indoor cat? A cat housed outdoors will eat more during winter months to consume the extra calories needed for additional body fat which serves as insulation to help keep the cat warm.

An indoor/outdoor cat tends to spend more time inside and exercise less. Encourage your cat to exercise by providing toys and setting aside time to play with him. An indoor cat should also be encouraged to play.

Other factors influencing your cat’s weight gain could be feeding him food from the table in addition to his regular diet. Or you may be offering him treats. If so, remember that treats contain calories. To avoid contributing calories to his weight gain, reduce the amount of his regular diet by a similar number of calories. Purina brand cat foods and cat treats list the calorie content on the package labels.

Taking the time to cook treats for your cats is not necessary. Stay with commercial cat treats to protect your cat from possible digestive upsets and to monitor the calories found in treats. Animal nutrition scientists develop formulas for tasty treats to complement the nutrients in complete and balanced cat food diets. Ingredient information and calorie content are on the individual product labels.

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I always keep dry Purina Cat Chow and water available for my cats and split one can of wet food amongst them at night. My concern is that everyone says that my three cats (1 to 1-1/2 yrs old) don't need canned food at all, although they love it. What do you say?

Purina Cat Chow is complete and balanced for all life stages, so it is appropriate to feed to your three cats. Your cats may be fed some canned cat food in addition to Purina Cat Chow and it will not be harmful. Just make sure the canned food you are feeding is also complete and balanced for maintenance of adult cats.

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If your cat has an unpleasant odor to its breath, it may have dental, renal or other health problems. Malodorous fecal odor can also be the sign of a health problem. In either case, you should consult your veterinarian.

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Can cats eat candy?

Consumption of candies containing chocolate can be harmful to cats. Chocolate contains theobromine which is toxic to cats. If a cat is lactose-intolerant, the milk content in some candies may result in digestive upsets.

Play it safe with your cat. Whisker Lickin’s brand cat treats and the new Purina Right Bites brand cat treats provide a wide choice of treats to offer your cat. Please remember that these treats contain calories. Their caloric content is found on the package label. Adjust the amount of food being offered (check the label for its caloric content) to help maintain a good body condition for your pet.

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I have a 1-1/2 year old cat who appears to have developed allergies. The vet suspects food allergies. We are trying to find a food that is limited in all the extra "meat" such as poultry byproducts etc. so that we can determine if this is a food allergy. The Dr. recommends finding a lamb and rice food, but I have had no luck. The wet food the vet gave us our cat is refusing to eat even when mixed with her other food. Any suggestions?

The causes of an allergic type of response may be varied - including pollen, fabrics, insects and plant material. While it is possible for an occasional cat to have an allergic reaction to food, it is generally accepted that food allergies are third, behind inhalant allergies and flea bit allergies. Allergies do not usually relate to one brand or one specific product. Ordinarily, a variety of commercial foods would cause a similar response because the ingredients are often quite similar. Food allergy, when it occurs, does not imply a product problem, but is the result of an individual medical problem.

It is always important to identify the allergen in order to guard against further exposure. When a food allergy is suspected, the standard method of diagnosing involves feeding an elimination diet to see if the symptoms clear. If they do, the veterinarian may reintroduce the original diet to see if the symptoms return. If the symptoms do return, as a third step the veterinarian may feed select ingredients to try to identify the offending ingredients. Skin tests and blood tests have not been found to be very reliable in diagnosing food allergies in dogs and cats.

Since the ingredients in Ralston Purina Company foods are very similar to those in other cat foods, we would suggest that you continue to work with your veterinarian in determining the specific ingredients your cat needs to avoid. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture any lamb and rice cat food products.

If your cat is used to eating dry food, she may have difficulty adjusting to wet food. You might want to try warming small amounts of the canned food prior to feeding. Warm the food by immersing the can in warm water. Do not warm the food in the microwave, as this might create hot spots in the food, and burn your cat's mouth. Serve the canned food on the side rather than mixing it with the dry.

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Is it true that wet food is bad for cats and they should only be given dry food?

Wet food can be an appropriate choice for your cat. Due to its higher moisture content, it is very palatable. These foods work well for cats who are underweight, and may help increase their desire to eat. In addition, they also work well for older cats, or cats with dental problems that have difficulty chewing the hard, dry foods. It is important to keep in mind, however, that due to their texture, canned foods may have a greater tendency to stick to teeth and gums, increasing the tendency toward plaque formation. Dry foods, due to their texture, help keep teeth clean and exercise the gums.

The cat's teeth should be kept clean. Food bacteria and saliva accumulate and adhere to the tooth surface, forming a soft plaque. If plaque continues, chalk-like materials build up and form a hardened dental calculus on the tooth surface. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and of the membrane lining the tooth socket (periodontitis). A veterinarian can remove this buildup while the cat is under a light anesthetic. A few cats will allow their teeth to be cleaned, especially if this procedure was started from the time the kitten was weaned. Your veterinarian can recommend products formulated for this purpose that are safe for cats. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans because cats will ingest the toothpaste and it may cause an upset stomach.

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My female cat who is 6 years old is always crying for grass. Is she lacking some sort of vitamin in her diet? I give her Cat Chow senior food plus Science Diet food but she doesn't seem to be satisfied. I tried rye grass for her but she wants grass from the outdoors. She is a house cat. She is a very healthy cat except she is very unsatisfied with something she isn't getting in her diet. What would you suggest?

Cats are carnivores, which means they generally rely on meat to survive. As a rule, cats in the wild will eat small animals, with the only vegetables being those which are found the stomach of the prey.

However, we do know that for some reason, cats will occasionally eat grass. There is some speculation that cats eat grass as a natural emetic, to induce vomiting of hairballs. But sometimes cats are "grazers," perhaps simply because they like the flavor of the grass. If you are feeding a complete and balanced diet, your cat receives all the nutrition he requires from the food, without the addition of grass as a supplement.

You may notice that your indoor cat chews on your houseplants to satisfy this desire. As a word of caution, this can be dangerous, as some common houseplants can be toxic to cats. If your cat is really fond of the taste of grass, you may wish to grow grass inside your house, to meet your cat's needs. Planting kits are available from pet food stores so that grass is available to your pet within the safety of your home. By growing grass indoors, it may help satisfy your cat's desire for chewing on greens, making him more likely to leave your houseplants alone.

If you suspect that elimination of hairballs is the driving factor behind your cat's desire to eat grass, you may want to change your cat's diet to Purina Special Care brand Cat Food - For Hairball Control. The natural fiber in this product will help your cat safely eliminate hairballs and may help reduce your cat's desire to eat grass.

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How long can I keep dry food out? Hours? Days?

Due to their texture, canned food products will spoil and dry if left out, and while soft-moist, burger type products can be left out for longer periods without spoiling, they do have a tendency to dry over time. One of the benefits of feeding dry foods is that dry foods will maintain their freshness if left for extended periods of time, certainly for 24 hours, making it convenient to have fresh food available for your cat at any time of the day or night. If kept indoors, dry food can be served through a self feeder, or a feeding quantity can be left in the bowl until it is consumed. To maintain ultimate freshness, you may not want to place more in the bowl than the cat will consume in 24 hours or so.

Please keep in mind, if you are currently feeding dry food to an outdoor cat, you will need to check the bowl regularly to ensure that the food has not become damp due to weather or environmental conditions. Once dry food is moistened, it becomes more like canned food and will have a tendency to spoil, especially during hot summer months. In addition, if stored outside, dry food may attract insects (similar to ants at a picnic), which is certainly not appealing.

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What foods, like chocolate, can harm cats? I feed my cat a lot of human food and she has not vomited once from it. What foods are particularly dangerous? (I heard onions, chocolate and tuna fish in a can are deadly), what else is?

There are misconceptions about feeding a normal adult cat that could be detrimental to its health. The following guidelines will help you avoid nutritional pitfalls.
Milk is not a substitute for water. As a cat food, milk is incomplete and not a balanced diet. Large quantities of milk may not be well tolerated. Milk contains lactose, which requires the enzyme lactase for breakdown in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal tract does not contain sufficient lactase, consumption of a high level of lactose can cause diarrhea.
Repeatedly adding raw eggs to a cat's diet can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin. Raw egg whites contain avidin, an enzyme which ties up biotin. Symptoms of biotin deficiency include dermatitis, loss of hair and poor growth.
Avoid feeding your cat raw fish. Raw fish can cause a deficiency of the vitamin thiamin.
Table scraps will not provide the balanced diet a cat requires and should be avoided.
Meat is not a balanced diet. Raw meat may contain parasites.
Raw liver, fed daily in large quantities, may cause vitamin A toxicity. This is particularly true if fed along with a complete and balanced diet containing ample vitamin A.
Do not feed your cat bones, especially pork chop or chicken bones. These bones can splinter and lodge in a cat's mouth and throat.
Some cat owners feed baby food because they feel it is a wholesome diet for cats or kittens. However, feeding certain baby foods may place your cat at risk for oxidative damage or may result in other nutritional imbalances.
As you cited, do not feed your cats onions, or foods containing onion powder. Studies show that onion powder can result in the development of heinz bodies, which adversely affect red blood cells and may cause anemia.
When cats are fed an appropriate complete and balanced diet, they are receiving all the nutrients they need, and receiving those nutrients in the proper proportions. When cats are supplemented with table foods and other items, it means that they naturally eat less of the complete and balanced diet. The greater the amount of food supplemented, the less likely the cat is to receive all the nutrients he requires, in the proper proportions.

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My cat has a very sweet tooth and is always stealing bites of cookies and doughnuts from my daughter. Will this hurt my cat? How can I get her to quit?

Stealing bites of sweet treats from your daughter is certainly a behavior that has the potential to be hazardous to your cat's health. Continually receiving table foods often has the potentially of turning your cat into a finicky eater. If your cat refuses to eat a complete and balanced diet, such as Purina Cat Chow brand cat food, and begins eating a larger number of table foods and treats, your cat runs the risk of not receiving the proper balance of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and strong.

Constantly supplementing with sweet treats also places your cat at greater risk of becoming obese. As cats age, they sometimes become less active. This reduction of activity makes it all the more important to ensure that your cat is receiving the bulk of her nutrition through her diet, rather than through snacks. Obesity may make a cat more susceptible to a variety of physical disorders, such as impaired heart, breathing and liver functions and digestive disturbances. In addition, extra weight can cause increased stress on the skeleton, ligaments, joints and tendons, which can lead to degenerative arthritis. Overweight cats are at higher risks of developing diabetes mellitus and cats that are obese also run the risk of a reduced life span. Cats who are obese may have difficulty grooming, making them more prone to skin problems, such as dermatitis. Folds of skin resulting from rolls of fat may invite infection. Also keep in mind that obesity places your cat at an increased surgical risk. Anesthesia levels are more difficult to assess, and it may also be more difficult for sutures to stay in place.

If your cat accepts or steals food from your daughter, your cat may also have access to chocolate. Chocolate may appeal to your cat's sweet tooth, but it is toxic to both cats and dogs. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is related to caffeine. This acts as a stimulant to the cat's nervous system, causing your cat's system to go into "overdrive." It has the potential to speed up the heart rate, or cause and irregular heart beat. If your cat consumes enough, it can cause hyperactivity, seizures, coma, or even death. Unsweetened baking chocolate contains much higher levels of theobromine than milk chocolate chips, however, both can be harmful and should be kept out of your cat's reach.

The best way to deal with your cat's sweet tooth is not to feed table foods in the first place. However, if your cat is continually interested in the foods your daughter is eating, have your daughter offer your cat either a cat treat, or a kibble or two of your cat's regular diet. You may also wish to use a product such as Purina Kitten Chow brand kitten food as a treat, which would be highly palatable and appealing to an adult cat.

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Why does my cat eat only 1 flavor of canned cat food?

Cats are like people, each having individual taste preferences. In addition, cats also tend to like routine, and frequently become creatures of habit. It may be that your cat just prefers this one flavor of canned food, and that's why he/she eats only this one flavor. Is this the only food your cat eats?

If your cat only eats this one flavor of canned food, it will be important to check the AAFCO statement on the side of the can to ensure that this food is providing complete and balanced nutrition for your cat's stage of life. If your cat is over the age of one year, and the AAFCO statement states that the food provides "complete and balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult cats" you can be assured that your cat will receive all of the protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals he or she needs on a daily basis from this food. If the canned food is not complete and balanced, you will need to make certain that your cat is also offered and eating an appropriate amount of a complete and balanced dry food.

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Should you leave food out for the kitten at all times or should it be scheduled times that you feed them?

Because kittens have a unique growth pattern, the first year is critical in their development. Research shows that a kitten grows from infancy to young adulthood in approximately one year. During its first 20 weeks a kitten can have a 2,000 percent increase over its birth weight. At 26 weeks of age, the growth rate starts to level off. However, kittens continue to develop inside, with normal growth ending at about one year of age. Kittens also require about twice the energy per pound of body weight as a mature cat.

Their rapid growth and high-energy requirements present a special nutritional need. That is why Purina Kitten Chow brand Kitten Food is recommended for the kitten's first year of growth and development. It provides the extra protein, calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients to help ensure the healthy, normal growth of kittens.

Kittens have very small stomachs. Therefore, they tend to be "occasional eaters" and consume a large number of small meals. For these reasons, it is probably a good idea to make sure that your kitten has food available at all times. Usually, kittens will eat a small amount of food, then leave and return at intervals throughout the day to eat. As many people aren't around to monitor their kitten's eating, you may wish to measure the dry food into your kitten's bowl and leave it for the day. Dry food will remain fresh in the bowl for the whole day.

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While it depends upon the type of soda consumed, overall, soda would be a good thing for your cat to avoid.

Soda can contain high amounts of sugar. As a cat's body is designed to digest greater amounts of protein, these high levels of simple sugar could cause your cat to develop diarrhea, gas or bloating. This is not safe, as it could lead to dehydration in your cat.

In addition, many types of soda also contain caffeine. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant (to a 10# cat), and may cause hyperactivity in your cat. In addition, caffeine not only has the potential to increase your cat's activity level, but it can also accelerate your cat's heart rate. Large amounts of caffeine can even be toxic to your cat.

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I have heard that tuna can be extremely harmful to male cats, their urinary tract? Do you have any information?

We do periodically hear from consumers that their veterinarians have warned them not to feed fish to cats. What they are warning against is the consistent feeding of fish prepared for human consumption, such as canned tuna or fresh shrimp. While the feeding of very small quantities of fish as a treat will not be harmful to your cat, as with any supplementation, if consistently fed to a cat, these foods may lead to finicky eating habits or nutritional deficiencies.

Feline lower urinary tract diseases can have many causes including bacterial or viral infections, stress, and physical or anatomical abnormalities and there is no evidence indicating that commercially prepared diets cause lower urinary tract disease. Fish provides an excellent source of protein. When incorporated as part of a complete and balanced pet food, protein, fat and mineral levels are carefully balanced with grains and other ingredients to be consistent with your cat's nutritional needs. This provides your cats with the flavor of fish they love, without upsetting their nutritional balance

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Are sweets harmful to kittens? I know about chocolate, I just wanted to know about other sweets.

First, cats are a group of animals that are obligate carnivores meaning that they need a meat-based diet in order to meet all their nutritional needs. So, although there may be some sweet tasting substances that are not harmful to cats, when sweets are ingested, they lower the desire for other foods. This could result in your kitten eating an unbalanced diet. That is why it is best to feed your kitten a good commercial cat food that is a complete diet and stay away from supplementation with ‘people’ food.

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I've been told that canned cat food is healthier for your cat than dry cat food is because it is moister and will keep your cat from getting dehydrated. Is this true?

Canned food is not necessarily healthier for a cat. Granted, canned food does indeed have more water content than dry food, and some cats who get canned food barely drink any water, as the water content in the food seems to be sufficient enough to meet the water needs of a few cats. A cat that is fed dry food only, however, is not about to become dehydrated as long as a supply of clean, fresh water is available nearby. Dry food helps slow down the rate that tartar accumulates on the teeth, and is better for cats who are prone to tartar build-up. I have two cats, and they are fed dry food only.

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What should I avoid feeding to my cat?

There are a number of foods that can be toxic to cats if ingested. While not a complete list by any means, foods that rank high on the list as being toxic to cats include:

Chocolate - Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine is related to caffeine and is a stimulant to the cat's nervous system. While milk chocolate is not as toxic, more concentrated forms of chocolate, such as unsweetened baking chocolate are toxic to cats at lower levels. Chocolate has the potential to speed up your cat's heart, and if enough is ingested, it may cause seizures, a coma, or even death.

Onions - While cats like the flavor of onions, onions can damage red blood cells that ultimately leads to anemia in cats. Onions in all forms (raw, cooked, dried, and powder) should be avoided. Be aware that onion powder is used as a flavoring agent in many food products, including some baby foods.

Caffeine - We recently discussed the dangers of caffeine from coffee, tea or soda. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, and may cause hyperactivity in your cat. In addition, caffeine can also accelerate your cat's heart rate and may be toxic in larger quantities.

Many people supplement food with additional vitamins, and the toxicity of vitamins A and D has been well documented. Check with your veterinarian prior to supplementing with vitamins, or providing your cat with larger quantities of foods that are high in vitamins A and D.

This time of year, many people may have poinsettias or holly decorating their homes. Keep in mind, that although rarely fatal if consumed, these do have the potential to cause severe gastro-intestinal upset in cats. Vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain are common in cats following the ingestion of only a couple of holly berries. Be sure to keep these away from your cat, especially if they seem interested in these plants.

As we have often said, when feeding a product like Purina Cat Chow brand cat food which is complete and balanced, it is not necessary to supplement. Supplementing your cat's diet with any additional foods has the potential to cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. So for your cat's health, use caution and read labels prior to providing your cat with anything extra.

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Is it enough for my cat to rely only on Cat Chow for his nutrition? Why has started drinking so much water after he began this kind of food?

Purina Cat Chow brand cat food provides complete and balanced nutrition for all stages of a cat's life. This means that Cat Chow provides all the protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals, in just the right amounts to help your cats stay healthy and strong, regardless of their age. So whether you have kittens, adult cats, pregnant or nursing cats, senior cats, or any combination thereof, you can have the confidence that you are providing everything your cats need in a well balanced formula, with a flavor that cats love.

Prior to feeding Cat Chow, if your cats had been used to a diet that consisted of or contained wet food, there is a possibility that you would notice that your cats are drinking more water after switching to a dry diet. This is because wet foods contain a very high percentage of water, often in the 80% range. When consuming wet foods, the cats naturally receive a portion of their daily water requirement through the food itself. When the are changed to a dry diet, which has moisture levels of 10% or less, cats must make up for this difference through the amount of water they consume. Consequently, you will notice your cats drinking more water.

There are many other factors that will also impact how much water a cat drinks. If your cats are eating a larger volume of food than they have in the past, they will consume more water in the processing of the food. In addition, during the warm summer months, animals may consume larger amounts of water to help regulate their body temperatures. If none of these appear to be factors, and your cat continues to drink large amounts of water, you may want to check with your veterinarian. Suddenly consuming large amounts of water may be indications of an underlying health condition.

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I hear there are new studies out that dry cat food is not as healthy as canned due to the high content of carbohydrates in dry food. They are finding too many cats with diabetes resulting from eating only dry cat food. What do you know about this study?

We are aware of this study, and there are a number of theories regarding the causes of diabetes in cats. What we do know is that there are certainly a number of health conditions where dietary modification can be beneficial in managing the disease. One example of this would be protein restriction in dogs and cats that have kidney disease. While numerous studies have shown that diets which are higher protein do not cause kidney disease, once a dog or cat is showing signs of the disease, restricting the amount of protein that they eat each day can be helpful in managing the amount of work the kidneys have to do to process the protein. While feeding protein did not cause the problem in the first place, restricting protein in a pet with existing kidney disease has been shown to help improve the quality of life in these pets.

By the same token, we do know that in cats with diabetes, carbohydrate restriction is an appropriate way to help manage the disease. It is important to understand that years of research, including Purina funded research, has shown that feeding appropriate amounts of a complete and balanced diet to a healthy cat does not damage the body's ability to metabolize glucose, thereby causing diabetes in a cat.

It is also well documented that obesity is a known risk factor for the development of diabetes in cats. Cats who are kept at an appropriate weight, or on the lean side throughout their lives have a greatly reduced risk of developing diabetes in later years. As a pet owner, perhaps the best thing that you can do for your cat is ensure that your cat maintains a healthy weight. If your cat is currently overweight, taking steps to help your cat lose those extra pounds can be important to reducing your cat's risk of developing diabetes. Start by switching to a food that is lower in calories. Make certain that you measure the amount that you are feeding each day to ensure that you are not overfeeding your cat. In addition, smaller, multiple feedings throughout the day can help your cat pace his eating, so that he is not quite so hungry toward the end of the day. Reducing or eliminating table foods treats is also important, as these foods add more extra calories than you might think.

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What should normal daily caloric intake be for a cat? Why don't cat foods list this information on the packages?

The number of calories required by a cat to maintain a healthy body condition will vary greatly, which is probably why pet food manufacturers don't list caloric requirements on labels. There are a number of factors which will influence how many calories a cat will require, including activity level, temperature (whether the cat is inside or outside), age, body size, and whether the cat has been spayed or neutered, just to name a few.

As a general rule of thumb, an average adult cat will require somewhere between 25 to 35 calories per pound of body weight. Smaller cats and cats that are more active will need more calories per pound of body weight than larger cats to maintain an ideal body condition. Cats that stay outside during the cold winter months will also require more calories per pound of body weight. Cats that have been spayed or neutered generally require fewer calories per pound of body weight, as do cats during the hot summer months. If you have a "couch potato" cat, your cat will also require fewer calories each day.

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My two cats eat only Special Care Hairball Control. Although I give them several other wet and dry foods, they stick to Hairball Control. Is this limited diet healthy for the cats?

As long as both of your cats are over the age of one year, the Purina Special Care brand Cat Food - For Hairball Control would be an excellent choice, even if fed by itself without the addition of any other food. Your assurance of nutritional adequacy can be found in the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Statement, located on the side of the package. This statement will tell you whether or not the product provides complete and balanced nutrition, and if it is adequate for all life stages, or just for a particular life stage, such as maintenance of the adult cat. The statement on packages of Special Care for Hairball Control states that the product has been tested in actual feeding studies, and will provide complete and balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult cats. If you fed only this, you would be assured that your cats would receive all of the nutrition they need to stay healthy and strong.

If the product does not contain complete and balanced nutrition, you will find something on the label to indicate that the product "should not be fed as a sole diet." Wording of this type is usually found on snack and treat products.

How much food should a cat eat?

A 3.5Kgr (average) cat needs, depending on cat food brand, about:

• 50-80gr of dry cat food per day
• 150-200gr of wet cat food per day

It is best to have a 1/4 daily allowance wet, 3/4 daily allowance dry food policy. Dry food is better for them in the the long term although not as tasty. 2/4 & 2/4 policies are not that bad either.

Make sure you read the feeding instructions on the food's packaging in order to get more specific information. However, you should bear in mind that the average cat food manufacturer cares more about selling than protecting your cat's health; that is, feeding suggestions can often be much exaggerated (up to double what is really required).

I prepare premium, human grade food (cooked or BARF) for my cat. How much should I give him/her?

BARF = Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, i.e. what a cat is built to eat

About 5oz (5x28 = 140gr) per cat per day (for an average 3kg cat).

55grams of meat based food per Kgr of cat body weight.

Feed 2-3 times per day. Have each serving available for no more than 30 mins (in case there is more in their plate than they actually eat in that 30 minute period)

Raw meat and bone based diets the way to go

This should make interesting reading for anyone who knows the unacceptable quality of stuff that goes into commercial catfood, food that is behind a huge percentage of domesticated cat ailments:

http://www.catinfo.org/zorans_article.pdf

uk barf club

Feline's Pride

Good info on cat BARF
Good info on cat BARF 2

High quality, human grade, holistic, natural food for cats are:

Feline's Pride (strong, frozen only)
Wysong's Archetype (strong, freeze dried, my choice)

------- all foods below to be served with cat mutli-vit supplement

Felidae (weak)
Artemis (weak)
Applaws (hq, organic, non-holistic) (weak)
almo-nature (hq, organic, non-holistic) (weak)

Should cats drink animal blood?

Sure, as long as it is a balanced ingredient of nutrition that also contains meat, intestines, grated bone and in general anything else needed to closely reverse engineer the natural prey of cats: small mammals (such as mice) and birds.

Should cats drink milk or eat yogurt?

No. Although they do like the taste it is not good for them as they cannot digest lactose. Drinking milk can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea and even chronic conditions in their digestive systems.

There is a special kind of milk fo cats (treated with special enzymes) that can be bought from your local pet store. This is safe for your cat to drink.

However, you should also consider that some cats tend to form calcium oxalate bladder stones; if this is the case with your cat then all sources of calcium (including all kinds of milk) should be avoided.

To monitor your cat for bladder stones formation (whether struvite or calcium oxalate) have her undergo periodic(say twice a year) x-ray and/or ultra-sound exams as well as regular urine Ph tests. Ph should be as close to neutral (7) as possible. Higher Ph (alkaline urine) means that the cat is under the risk of developing struvite bladder stones while lower Ph (acidic urine) means that she is under the risk of developing calcium-oxalate bladder stones. Believe me: it is worth the hassle!

Regarding flavored yogurts, they obviously are as bad as plain yogurt. However, also consider that chocolate, coccoa and coffee (often used in flavored yogurt) are all toxic to cats (and other animals) and they should not be eaten even once or in a small quantity.

Should cats eat baby food?

No, because:

1. It may contain onion, that no matter how little, is dangerous for cats.
2. For cats, it is dietetically unbalanced food.