The Importance of a Balanced Diet for Cats

Instinctually, cats are predators and are classified as obligate carnivores meaning they require meat meaning that they primarily obtain essential nutrients to survive from meat. Whether it is a bird, mouse, or a bug, cats in the wild as well as in your home, have a prey drive to hunt and eat whatever they can get their paws on. When discussing pet cats, this does not mean your indoor or outdoor cat gets all the nutrition they need to maintain a long and healthy life from eating household pests alone. Cats must consume a balanced diet to prevent medical conditions, obesity, dental issues, and other problems detrimental to your cat’s well-being.

What is optimal nutrition and a balanced diet like when you are a cat? At Pure Peak, we know you can’t speak "meow" or understand what your cat is trying to tell you. Our comprehensive guide to cat nutrition can help you choose the best diet for your furry friend and identify the signs that your cat may need supplemental nutrition through vitamins or supplements.

What Should a Cat Eat Daily?

Face it: some cats eat anything from bugs to rodents and table scraps. However, these food sources do not provide cats with the essential vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients to remain healthy, happy, and active. Good-quality, commercially available cat food can give your four-legged friend all the elements they need to survive and thrive.

An independent organization called the Association of American Feed Control Officials provides comprehensive guidelines that outline the vitamins and minerals cats need in their diet. Commercially available cat foods that carry the AAFCO seal meet these strict dietary guidelines and should provide your pet with a balanced diet.

The AAFCO lists several specific vitamins and minerals cats need for optimal health and wellness. These nutrients include:

• Taurine
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• B vitamins, including folic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Iron
• Zinc
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Copper
• Iodine

Food products that meet the AAFCO standard provide the right balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, and amino acids to maintain the well-being of a healthy cat. If you have a kitten, an obese cat, or a pet with medical conditions, you may need to adjust the type of food you provide your animal. Kittens need additional calories, vitamins, and protein to grow, while obese cats may benefit from a high fiber/low fat or a high protein/low carbohydrate diet to support weight loss goals. Cats with medical issues like kidney disease may need prescription renal food that contains less protein and phosphorus but more omega-3 fatty acids.

While most commercially available wet and dry cat food can provide your furry companion with a balanced diet, depending on your cat’s age, health, and medical history, you may need to consider a specialty diet or the addition of vitamins and supplements to meet all your cat’s dietary requirements.
In addition to a healthy diet, your cat needs plenty of clean water to help keep them hydrated.

Do Indoor Cats Need a Special Diet?

Indoor cats are typically healthier and live longer lives than their outdoor counterparts. However, when it comes to a balanced and healthy diet, there is one issue that indoor cat parents should monitor. Indoor cats don’t always get the same level of activity and exercise that outdoor cats do. After all, running away from aggressive dogs and the neighbor's garden hose are physically-taxing activities.

Some indoor cats may benefit from diets formulated to maintain the healthy weight of indoor animals. These cat foods can help your cat stay lean and fit, avoiding the pitfalls of obesity and associated health conditions, as well as mobility problems, and joint issues. Some indoor formulas are also specially designed to reduce your cat’s risk of urinary problems. Again, indoor, overweight cats may be more prone to developing urinary tract infections and metabolic diseases. Uniquely formulated foods can help reduce the risk of health issues overall.

If cleaning up hairballs is a gross but necessary part of living with your fluffy friend, a hairball control formula may also benefit you and your cat. These foods include higher levels of fiber to help prevent hairballs. Other ingredients provide increased lubrication and ease the movement of ingested hair through the digestive system.

Talk with your veterinarian if you have questions or concerns about your cat’s diet. Cats are obligate carnivores. They require meat in their diet. The amount of protein and vitamins that cats need to remain in optimal condition are not typically found in sufficient quantities in plant-based foods. Cats can develop heart and liver problems and skin irritation without these essential nutrients. Raw diets may also be unsafe for you, your family, and your pet as they contain potentially harmful, pathogenic bacteria and parasites as well as do not always contain the correct balance of micronutrients found in prepared foods. Additionally, while the “homemade” trend sounds healthier than processed, mass-produced cat food, you can’t be sure you are feeding your cat all the nutrients it needs. An online recipe from a social media site does not have the same scientific backing as foods meeting AAFCO guidelines or diets that have been formulated by boarded veterinary nutritionists. Some homemade foods can also contribute to obesity and health issues in cats. If your cat needs a specialized diet, contact a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to work with you to determine the best diet for your cat.

Does My Cat Need Vitamins or Supplements?

Technically, your cat should get everything it needs to stay healthy and happy from a balanced diet. However, there are times when cats may benefit from adding vitamins or supplements to their nutrition routine. Cats in the later stages of life or those suffering from certain health conditions may benefit from supplements like glucosamine for joint health or omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat issues. CBD supplements may also help some cats cope with stress and anxiety.

If you are afraid that your cat is not getting all the vitamins it needs from its diet or you think a supplement may boost the quality of your pet’s life, talk to your veterinarian during their next wellness visit. A trusted vet can look for vitamin deficiencies and suggest supplements to help address your feline’s health issues. Your vet can also provide feeding instructions, healthy food recommendations, and proper feeding amounts for optimal cat health.

Pure Peak Can Help Your Cat Live Its Best Life

At Pure Peak, we are helping to pioneer pet wellness and transform the lives of pets and pet parents. We commit ourselves to providing you with the latest health and wellness information and high-quality, clean pet products.