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Video: Features Of The Nutritional Needs Of Cats
2024 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:30
Cats have very different dietary needs than dogs, which are due to the peculiarities of their digestion. Special nutritional needs of cats include:
High protein content. Protein is a source of nitrogen and cats require higher levels of protein than dogs. This is due to the inability of the feline liver to regulate protein processing. If there is not enough protein in the body, very soon the cat's body begins to use the protein that makes up its muscles.
Taurine. Taurine is an amino acid essential for proper bile production, eye health and heart muscle function. Cats have a high need for taurine. If there is not enough taurine, diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy develop, reproductive ability decreases, and kittens develop abnormally.
Arginine. Arginine is an aliphatic amino acid. Most animals produce it themselves. With the help of arginine, the cat's body produces another amino acid, ornithine. Ornithine is essential for the binding of ammonia, which is produced by the breakdown of protein. If a cat lacks arginine in its diet, it will not be able to produce enough ornithine to bind ammonia, resulting in diseases such as drooling, ataxia (poor coordination of movements), and even death due to high ammonia levels. Such symptoms can be observed several hours after eating, when the body produces large amounts of ammonia.
Arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is one of the essential fatty acids. Dogs make it from linoleic acid or gamma-linoleic acid. Cats are not able to do this. Arachidonic acid helps regulate the formation of new skin cells, and also serves to normalize blood clotting, the functioning of the reproductive and gastrointestinal systems. Arachidonic acid is found in animal fats that should be included in a cat's diet. Like dogs, cats also need another fatty acid, linoleic acid.
The active form of vitamin A. Cats lack an enzyme that can convert beta carotene to retinol (the active form of vitamin A). Therefore, their diet should include food products of animal origin. Vitamin A deficiency is rare. Its symptoms are night blindness, stunted growth, poor skin and coat condition.
Nicotinic acid. Many animals can synthesize nicotinic acid (vitamin B) from the amino acid tryptophan. However, cats cannot produce it in sufficient quantities, so it is essential in their diet. Deficiency of niacin can lead to loss of appetite and weight, gum inflammation, and hemorrhagic diarrhea.
Starch. In cats, the need for starch and the ability to absorb it is quite low.
Differences between the nutritional needs of cats and dogs
Young animals and breeding animals, minimum | Adults, minimum | ||
Cats | |||
Protein | % | 30.0 | 26.0 |
Arginine | % | 1.25 | 1.04 |
Taurine | % | 0.1 | 0.1 |
Arachidonic acid | % | 0.02 | 0.02 |
Vitamin A | IU / kg | 9,000 | 5,000 |
Vitamin B3 | mg / kg | 60 | 60 |
Vitamin B6 | mg / kg | 4 | 4 |
Dogs | |||
Protein | % | 22 | 18 |
Arginine | % | 0.62 | 0.51 |
Taurine | % | NE * | NE * |
Arachidonic acid | % | NE * | NE * |
Vitamin A | IU / kg | 5,000 | 5,000 |
Vitamin B1 | mg / kg | 1 | 1 |
Vitamin B3 | mg / kg | 11.4 | 11.4 |
Vitamin B6 | mg / kg | 1 | 1 |
* NE = no minimum content established |
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