Jeffrey Salazar
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to derive most of their nutrients from animal sources. As such, protein is a crucial part of a cat's diet, and deficiencies can lead to serious health issues. While most cats can tolerate a higher-protein diet, there are some cases where a high-protein diet may be detrimental to their health, such as in cats with kidney or liver disease. This article will explore the benefits of increasing protein in a cat's diet, the potential risks, and how to make the switch to high-protein cat food.
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What You'll Learn
High-protein cat food options
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to get most of their nutrients from eating whole prey. This prey includes lots of protein, moderate amounts of fat, and very few carbohydrates. As cats have a low thirst drive, they rely on their food for hydration, so it's important to consider both wet and dry food options to ensure your cat stays hydrated.
When choosing a high-protein cat food, it's important to prioritize quality. Poor-quality protein, or protein that is less digestible, will result in faster loss of muscle mass than high-quality protein. As cats age, their protein requirements increase due to a reduction in digestive efficiency. Many cats over 12 years old should be fed a diet containing nearly 50% protein.
If you're looking for a high-quality wet food option, Caru Classic Wild Salmon and Turkey Stew is a great choice. Wild salmon is the first ingredient, which provides lean protein and omega-3s that support skin, coat, and brain health. The formula also includes turkey for extra protein, plus dandelion greens and marine microalgae oil, which are good for immune function, kidney health, and joint mobility.
For dry food, Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon is a good option. It includes wild-caught Pacific salmon, packed with omega-3s and DHA to support a healthy coat, skin, and brain function. The formula also includes ocean whitefish and herring meal for additional protein, plus pumpkin, cranberries, and dandelion greens, which may aid digestion and immune health.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, Crave is a high-protein dry cat food that features real chicken as the first ingredient, with no soy or grains. It also contains quality carbohydrate sources for energy, plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
For senior cats, Blue Buffalo Healthy Aging is a good option. It features deboned chicken as the first ingredient and includes the right balance of essential proteins, amino acids, and carbohydrates to ensure your senior cat remains healthy.
When transitioning your cat to a new high-protein food, it's important to make the switch gradually. On the first day, mix a small amount of the new cat food with the old. If all goes well, take a week or two to gradually increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food until your cat is completely on the new diet.
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The importance of amino acids
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to derive most of their nutrients from eating whole prey, which is primarily made up of protein, with moderate fat content and very few carbohydrates. Domestic cats, like their wild counterparts, have evolved very little, retaining their dependence on meat.
Cats require a high amount of amino acids for normal growth, development, and reproduction. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and while herbivores and omnivores can synthesize certain amino acids, cats have a more limited ability to do so. As a result, cats need to ingest specific amino acids that are already present in meat sources. Cats depend on their diet for many amino acids, including two additional essential amino acids: taurine and arginine, which are obtained from eating animal tissues.
Taurine and arginine are crucial for cats' health. For example, a deficiency in taurine can lead to poor growth and crusting dermatitis. In addition, kittens require 19% of their diet to consist of animal protein to meet their methionine requirements. Methionine is another amino acid that is required in high amounts, especially during growth.
Amino acids play many roles in a cat's body. They help build and repair important body parts like fur, skin, claws, and muscles. They also form enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and important parts of the immune system.
It is important to note that while most cats will tolerate a higher-protein diet very well, there are some health conditions where a high-protein diet should be avoided, such as liver or kidney disease.
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How protein impacts a cat's health
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to get most of their nutrients from eating whole prey. This prey includes lots of protein, decent amounts of fat, and very few carbohydrates. Domestic cats are very similar to their wild predecessors and have evolved very little from them.
Cats have a limited ability to synthesize certain amino acids from their diet. They require two additional essential amino acids that must be obtained from their diet: taurine and arginine. These can be found in animal tissues. Cats are unable to sufficiently produce certain vitamins critical to their health, including niacin, vitamin A, and vitamin D, so they must also get them from animal tissues.
Cats' liver enzymes are constantly breaking down proteins for energy and to maintain blood glucose levels. When cats do not receive enough protein, their bodies start breaking down their own muscle tissue to meet their protein and amino acid requirements. Research has shown that adult cats that did not consume a diet of at least 40% protein lost lean body mass over time. Diets of 30-38% protein will result in a loss of muscle mass over time. As cats age, their protein requirements increase due to a reduction in digestive efficiency. Cats over 12 years old should be fed a diet containing nearly 50% protein.
There are some situations in which a high-protein diet would not be safe for a cat, such as when the cat has kidney or liver disease. In the body, excess protein is broken down into amino acids, which are then broken down into urea and excreted by the kidneys. For cats with kidney disease, their kidney function is diminished, so high-protein diets can be an added strain.
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The transition to a high-protein diet
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to derive most of their nutrients from animal sources, including meat, organs, fish, eggs, and animal meals. Domestic cats are very similar to their wild predecessors and have evolved very little from them. In the wild, cats typically seek out mice, birds, or other critters as food.
Protein is a crucial part of a cat's diet, and cats require significantly more protein than dogs. Cats need protein to build and repair important body parts like fur, skin, claws, and muscles. Proteins also form enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, and important parts of the immune system.
When transitioning your cat to a high-protein diet, it is important to do so gradually. On the first day, mix a small amount of the new cat food with the old. If all goes well, take a week or two to gradually increase the amount of new food while decreasing the amount of old food until your cat is completely on the new diet. During this transition, ensure your cat doesn't go longer than 24 hours without eating.
It is important to note that not all high-protein diets are created equal. Some sources of animal protein, such as chicken, turkey, duck, beef, and pork, are generally more affordable and accessible than others. Fish is also a good source of protein for cats, but it is best served as a treat rather than a primary protein source due to its high sodium content. Additionally, while most cats will tolerate a higher-protein diet very well, there are some health conditions for which high-protein diets should be avoided, such as certain liver or kidney diseases. It is always important to consult your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your cat's diet.
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The best sources of animal protein
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to derive most of their nutrients from animal sources. Domestic cats are very similar to their wild counterparts, and their diet should reflect this.
Cats require 22 amino acids, 12 of which are non-essential, and 10 are essential, meaning they must be obtained from food. Animal proteins are more easily digestible and contain a wider array of amino acids, both essential and non-essential. Cats also require two unique amino acids, taurine and arginine, which are only found in animal tissues.
- Beef
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Fish
These animal proteins are often listed on cat food labels, and they provide a concentrated source of protein. Meat "meals" are a type of animal protein that has been dried and ground, with the water removed. For example, "poultry meal" is a dry product made from whole poultry carcasses, excluding feathers, heads, feet, and entrails. Similarly, meat "by-products" include organ meat, which is highly nutritious and beneficial for cats.
While cats primarily require animal protein, some plant-based proteins can also be included in their diet. However, it is important to ensure that the majority of the protein sources are animal-based, as cats cannot meet all their nutritional needs with plant sources alone.
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Frequently asked questions
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to get most of their nutrients from eating whole prey, which is packed with protein. Protein is used as an energy source and can help build and repair body parts like fur, skin, claws, and muscles.
The amount of protein in a cat's diet should be around 26% for adult cats, but growing kittens, gestating or lactating females have higher protein needs, and older cats may need up to 50% protein.
Good sources of animal-based protein for cats include poultry (like chicken, turkey, and duck), beef, pork, lamb, and fish.
