Taking care of cats is a great delight. These feline creatures are adorable companions and good friends. Although sometimes they may seem cold and aloof, cats are very sociable animals that crave affection and give affection.
A lot of owners simply grab piles of cat food without checking the nutritional value each pack contains. In fact, we probably check the flavour more than the nutrients (Don’t worry, I was like that too). But if you’re one of the more picky owners who are concerned about the kind of nutrients your pet cat is getting, you might want to know more of what your cat needs and what she doesn’t need.
Kymythy R. Schultze of Feline Nutrition Foundation gives us a list of the essential nutritional values your cat needs.
Protein
Dietary protein supplies essential amino acids and is needed for the manufacture of antibodies, enzymes, hormones, and tissues and for proper pH balance. Like humans, protein is what provides energy for cats and is essential for growth and development. Complete proteins contain ample amounts of essential amino acids and are found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and poultry.
Fat
Fat is involved in cell integrity and metabolic regulation. Fatty acids are essential for cats health and must be obtained from food sources. Unlike some animals, felines don’t efficiently convert plant sources of essential fatty acids to the needed derivatives.
Minerals
These are essential to the cat and are involved in almost all physiological reactions. Minerals contribute to enzyme formation, pH balance, nutrient utilization, and oxygen transportation and are stored in bone and muscle tissue.
Read the full article here for more details on the nutritional needs for cats.