Feline Nutritional Requirements

Felines are true carnivores, meaning they rely heavily on animal meat to thrive. The biggest nutritional requirement for cat is protein, but your furry pal also needs a small amount of fats and carbohydrates, as well as certain vitamins and minerals. Because kitty food comes in so many varieties -- kitten versus adult, indoor versus outdoor, weight control and more -- get your veterinarian involved in making the right selection for your purring comrade.

  1. Amino Acids

    • Adult cat food needs to have at least 18 percent protein, while food made for kittens or lactating cats needs to have a minimum of 22 percent protein, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials. Amino acids are smaller compounds of proteins. They are a structural component of all cells, support brain functions and keep your cat's muscles strong. Amino acids come in two different classes: nonessential and essential. Your fur ball̵7;s body can make nonessential amino acids on its own, whereas essential amino acids are a requirement in her diet because her body cannot make them. The essential amino acids your cat requires from food include arginine, methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, lysine, taurine and tryptophan. Taurine in particular is vital for your kitty since it helps her eyes function, protects her heart and allows her infants to form properly during pregnancy.

    Essential Fatty Acids

    • Essential fatty acids are components of larger complex fat molecules. Fats give her energy in case carbohydrates run out, protect her vital organs, lubricate her coat, regulate her body temperature and aid in producing hormones. Linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for these functions. Adult cat food has to have at least five percent fat, and kitten and nursing mother kitty food must contain a minimum of eight percent fat. She should get enough of these essential amino acids from a high-quality cat food.

    Carbohydrates

    • Cats do require a very small amount of carbohydrates, but there is not a minimum recommendation, explains the ASPCA. All carbs, with the exception of fiber, convert into simple sugars known as glucose. Your fuzzy buddy needs glucose energy to get her through her day, in addition to fueling her basic biological processes. She also needs fiber, which is a carb, but it does not turn into glucose. Instead, fiber travels through her bowels intact, for the most part, helping her have pass waste.

    Vitamins

    • Much like you, your fuzzy companion requires a slew of vitamins. She needs vitamin A for eye health, vitamin D to keep her bones strong and vitamin E to protect all of her cells. Additionally, her food has to have a series of B vitamins including riboflavin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, B-12 and choline. The B vitamins work together to convert food into energy, help her body make new blood and help start several biochemical processes.

    Minerals

    • Kitty's food also needs to include several different minerals. Calcium, phosphorus and magnesium make up the structural part of her bones, making her skeleton as sturdy as possible. She even needs a small amount of sodium and potassium to regulate fluid balance and make her heart beat. Iron helps deliver oxygen around to her organs so they can function, while selenium and zinc work as antioxidants and rid her system of damaging free radicals. Her cat food must have a minimum amount of each mineral -- and vitamin -- so you won̵7;t have to worry about giving her any kind of supplement, unless your veterinarian suggests otherwise.