Milly Gaines
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. A cat's diet should include protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. Nutritional deficiencies can cause serious health problems, including heart disease and blindness. Common symptoms of nutritional deficiency include patchy fur, dry and scaly skin, weight loss, lethargy, and difficulty moving. If you suspect your cat has a nutritional deficiency, it is important to consult a veterinarian, who can recommend an appropriate treatment plan, which may involve switching up your cat's diet or introducing supplements. The time it takes to improve a cat's diet deficiency will depend on the severity of the deficiency and the treatment plan implemented.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nutritional deficiencies in cats | Usually due to a poor, home-cooked diet that hasn't been approved by a vet or board-certified veterinary nutritionist |
| Commercial cat food | Commercial cat food may contain nutrient excesses or inappropriate supplements |
| Homemade cat food | It is incredibly difficult to get the nutrient balance right in homemade cat food |
| Common physical symptoms | Patchy fur, dry and scaly skin, dirty fur, hollow claws, weight loss, swollen gums, lethargy, difficulty moving, difficulty seeing |
| Behavioral changes | Loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty moving, difficulty seeing |
| Treatment | The vet will recommend the best treatment plan, which may involve switching up your cat's diet or giving it supplements |
| Diet transition | Digestive supplements such as prebiotics and digestive enzymes can make a dietary transition easier for your cat |
| Diet transition time | The whole change-over process might take longer than ten days for some cats |
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What You'll Learn
Signs of nutritional deficiency
Nutritional deficiencies in cats can lead to various health problems. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. A cat's diet should include high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal carbohydrates. They also require vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.
Some common signs of nutritional deficiencies in cats include a dull and dry haircoat, patchy hair loss, and loss of hair pigment. These symptoms can be caused by a deficiency in essential fatty acids, which can also lead to skin that is scaly and dry, with hair that mats easily and loses its elasticity, and ear infections. Copper deficiency can also cause hair-related symptoms, as well as a "washed out" appearance to the coat. Zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, skin ulcers, and areas of skin thickening and cracking.
Fat deficiencies, while rare, can occur due to poor-quality food, homemade diets, poorly formulated foods, and low-fat dry food. Signs of fat deficiency include a dry and dull coat, along with the formation of fine scales. Prolonged fat deficiency can lead to other skin issues such as greasy skin between the toes and on the ears, alopecia, and secondary pyoderma.
It is important to consult a veterinarian for guidance on choosing the appropriate nutrient profile for your cat and before giving your cat any supplements. Storing dry cat food in an airtight container can help prevent nutrient deterioration.
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How to spot a poor diet
A poor diet for a cat is one that does not provide the correct balance of nutrients it needs to maintain good health. Cats require a specific balance of amino acids and other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and protein, in their diet to maintain good health.
Skin and coat
The skin and coat are the first places to show signs of a poor diet. A cat's skin and coat health can be impacted by stress, allergies, diet, and hydration status. A poor diet may cause issues with hairballs, hair thinning, hair loss, and dry flaky skin. If skin renewal is not supported by their diet, wounds and cuts may take longer to heal, and your cat may be more vulnerable to skin-based parasites like fleas. Dietary allergies may also appear through a cat's coat, grooming behaviours, or increased itching and scratching of certain parts of the body. Essential fatty acid deficiency, for instance, causes the skin to become scaly and dry, the hair mats easily, the skin loses its elasticity, and ear infections commonly develop. Copper deficiency causes a dull, dry haircoat with patchy hair loss and loss of normal hair pigment.
Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is another important consideration. Obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in cats, and makes cats susceptible to a number of health problems, including arthritis and diabetes. A poor diet may be one that cannot maintain a cat at the correct body weight, relating to the quantity being fed and not just the quality.
Urination
Urination should be regular. Any signs of an issue here may indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can sometimes be caused by poor diet (e.g. an imbalance in mineral content).
Faeces
Litter trays allow an owner insight into their cat’s digestive health. A suitable diet for a cat should allow them to produce faeces that are firm but moist with some regularity in a cat’s daily routine. Any signs of diarrhoea (loose runny stools), constipation (stools absent from the tray) or anything unusual could be an indicator that something is wrong with your cat.
Behavioural changes
Behavioural changes may also occur with a nutritional deficiency, such as loss of appetite, lethargy, difficulty moving, and difficulty seeing.
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Recommended cat diets
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require nutrients found only in animal products. A cat's diet should include high amounts of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates. They also require vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.
Commercial cat food is typically formulated to provide cats with the correct balance of nutrients and calories. It is best to buy commercial cat food instead of preparing food at home, as it is challenging to get the nutrient balance right. Look for food made by a member of 'UK Pet Food' to ensure it is made with the highest level of safety, quality, and nutritional standards.
Wet food can increase your cat's water intake if they are not keen on drinking. Canned cat food has a moisture content of at least 75%, making it a good source of water. It is also highly palatable for most cats and has a long shelf life when unopened. However, any unused portion of opened canned cat food should be refrigerated.
Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats, and senior cats may require a special diet as well. For example, kittens need food with the correct balance of nutrients for their growing bones and body. It is important to feed your cat the right amount of food to prevent obesity-linked problems such as diabetes and arthritis. Regularly weighing your cat can help you adjust their diet as needed.
Some cats may develop selective eating habits and become very particular about the food they accept. Feeding your cat two or three different types of food can provide variety and prevent them from becoming fixated on a single food. However, it is important to note that supplements can be harmful to cats and should only be given with a veterinarian's approval.
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Transitioning to a new diet
Transitioning your cat to a new diet can be a challenging task, especially if your cat is instinctually cautious about new foods. Here are some tips to help you through the process:
Choose the Right Diet for Your Cat's Life Stage
It is important to feed your cat food that is appropriate for their current life stage, such as kitten, adult, or senior. For instance, kittens need a diet that contains the correct balance of nutrients for their growing bodies and bones. As cats get older, their requirements for vitamins, minerals, energy, protein, and fat will change. Most commercial cat food companies offer diets tailored to different life stages, making it easier for you to choose the right option.
Introduce the New Diet Gradually
When transitioning to a new diet, it is recommended to do so gradually over a period of at least ten days. Start by offering the new food alongside the old food for at least a week. If your cat consistently eats the new food during this introductory period, you can begin to phase out the old food. If your cat rejects the new food at any point, it may be a sign that the transition is too quick, and you may need to slow down or restart the process.
Consider Using Digestive Supplements
Digestive supplements, such as prebiotics and digestive enzymes, can help ease the transition by improving your cat's digestion. Prebiotics encourage the growth of good bacteria in your cat's system, while digestive enzymes aid in the digestion of their new food. These supplements are not usually necessary, but they can be beneficial during food transitions, especially if your cat has a sensitive stomach.
Monitor Your Cat's Weight and Overall Health
It is important to regularly weigh your cat and monitor their overall health during and after the transition. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial, as obesity can lead to health issues such as arthritis and diabetes. Additionally, watch for any signs of nutritional deficiency, such as patchy fur, dry and scaly skin, weight loss, swollen gums, or behavioural changes like loss of appetite and lethargy. If you notice any concerning symptoms, consult your veterinarian for advice and guidance.
Offer Variety While Maintaining a Balanced Diet
Cats can be selective about their food, and some may develop finicky eating habits. Offering your cat a variety of flavours, textures, and brands can help prevent them from becoming fixated on a single type of food. However, it is important to ensure that any new food you introduce is balanced and complete, meeting all the nutritional requirements for your cat's life stage. Always consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your cat's diet.
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Common nutritional deficiencies
Cats require a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs. A nutritional deficiency can occur when cats are fed a poor-quality commercial dry food, a homemade diet, a commercial food that contains nutrient excesses, or if a commercial diet is supplemented inappropriately. Cats require nutrients that are found only in animal products, such as taurine and arginine, which are vital to preventing severe health problems such as heart disease and blindness. They also require more than a dozen other nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.
One of the first symptoms of malnutrition in cats is fur loss, so bald spots may indicate a nutritional deficiency. Other common physical symptoms of nutritional deficiency include patchy fur, dry and scaly skin, dirty fur, hollow claws, weight loss, swollen gums, lethargy, and difficulty moving. Nutritional deficiencies can also cause digestive issues, such as diarrhoea and hard stool, as well as excessive flatulence.
If you suspect your cat has a nutritional deficiency, it is important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. The vet will examine your cat and recommend an appropriate treatment plan, which may involve switching up their diet or introducing supplements. It is important to note that supplements can be harmful to cats and should only be given with a veterinarian's approval.
To prevent nutritional deficiencies, it is recommended to feed your cat commercially made cat food that is specifically formulated to meet their nutritional needs. It is also important to feed your cat the right food for their current life stage, such as kitten, adult, or senior. Wet food can be beneficial if your cat does not drink enough water, and rotational feeding can help protect against small nutritional imbalances between formulas.
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Frequently asked questions
Signs of nutritional deficiency in cats include patchy fur, dry and scaly skin, dirty fur, hollow claws, weight loss, swollen gums, lethargy, and behavioural changes. Diarrhea, hard stool, and excessive flatulence can also be signs of nutritional deficiency.
Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible. They will examine your cat and recommend the best treatment plan, which may involve changing your cat's diet or adding supplements. You should always consult your vet before giving your cat supplements.
The time it takes to improve a cat's diet deficiency will depend on the severity of the deficiency and how quickly your cat's body responds to treatment. You should see improvements in skin-related symptoms of nutritional deficiency, such as dry and scaly skin, within a few weeks of starting an appropriate diet. However, it may take longer to see improvements in other areas, such as weight gain or behavioural changes.
