What this article says refers to all cats, not for any breed, but some artificially bred breeds have special needs for certain nutrients.
Cats and humans have lived together for thousands of years, and there has been a certain evolution in feeding habits, in general, cats are still carnivorous animals, but we will find that it is also very interested in other foods, such as my cat, who loves tofu skin. So I'm not very impressed with the idea that some shovelers think that cats can only eat meat if they eat meat.
Now people are advocating nutritional balance, and for the shoveler, they also hope that their cat nutrition can be as balanced as possible. So what are the nutrients that cats need?
Comparison of nutritional data required by cats and humans
As you can see from the above figure, both cats and people need three nutrient elements: fat, protein and carbohydrates. However, because of the difference in food intake, the proportion required is different.
protein
Due to the cat's feeding habits, the demand for protein is greater, and due to the relationship between the digestive system, it can almost be said that the cat can only absorb animal protein. In particular, the taurine needed by cats can only be obtained from animal protein.
So where does animal protein come from? They are derived from the meat, eggs and milk of poultry, livestock and fish.
Protein is derived from meat, eggs and milk
carbohydrates
Cats in the wild eat mainly by hunting small animals, so most of the nutrient sources are protein and fat, and carbohydrates account for a small proportion. The digestion and absorption of carbohydrates by the cat's stomach is not too good, so it is necessary to consume it in moderation. Some friends think that cats are carnivorous on the line of meat, in fact, it is also one-sided, even if good cat food is also added starch, sugar and other carbohydrates, which also shows that cats still need carbohydrates. Cat food is added and generally does not need to be specially fed. My family makes rice and biscuit for dogs, and cats will eat it, but it is also a fresh meal, not too much, generally still based on cat food.
food pyramid
fat
Fat is an important source of energy for cats, the demand is much greater than that of humans, and it is very important for cats.
Most of the fat in the cat's body can be synthesized by other substances (mainly sugar), but the three special unsaturated fatty acids of linoleic acid, linolenic acid and peanut oleic acid that cannot be synthesized by themselves can only be obtained from food, and are more abundant in lard and chicken visceral fat.
When buying cat food, you can carefully look at the ingredient list, if the fat accounts for 15% to 40% of the dry feed matter, it is more appropriate, if it is lower than this value, you can add meat supplements.
In addition, cats also need vitamin B complex, vitamin A, vitamin D. These can be obtained from meat, fish and shrimp, animal liver, milk and dairy products (unfat milk), and poultry eggs. Minerals make up only 4% of a cat's total weight, but they are important elements for life and health. The ideal ratio of calcium and phosphorus is 1:1, and excessive or insufficient intake may cause developmental disorders in cats, such as neurological or blood abnormalities. The minerals in cat food are added and do not need to be added deliberately.
Knowing this, whether it is homemade cat rice or a shoveler who buys finished cat food, he should probably have a good idea of what the cat needs. Although in principle, it is better for cats to eat cat food, but eating the same food for a long time will also be bored, and the same is true for cats. So occasionally you can still make a little complementary food for the cat to improve it.
I am Wang Xiaomeow, a shoveler officer who is both cat and dog, and I learn the way of pet raising with you. meow!
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