nutrition

Nutrition

Cat Food Standards by the AAFCO Cat foods labeled as "complete and balanced" must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. In 1995 the AAFCO's Feline Nutrition Expert Subcommittee revised their Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. There are now two separate nutrient profiles - one for growth (kittens) and one for adult maintenance. Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein , fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins and mineral content of foods. The levels of nutrients in the table below are expressed on a "dry matter" (DM) basis. On most pet food labels, the levels listed in the guaranteed analysis are expressed on an "as fed" basis. To convert "as fed" to "dry matter" a simple conversion is necessary. If a dry food has 10% moisture we know that it has 90% dry matter. So we look at the label and check the protein level. That reads 20%. Next we divide the 20 percent protein by the 90% dry matter and we get 22%, which is the amount of protein on a dry matter basis. Does this make sense so far? Good. Now let's compare this to canned food that has 80% moisture. We know that with 80% moisture we have 20% dry matter. The label shows 5% protein. So we take the 5% and divide it by 20% and we get 25% protein on a dry matter basis. So the canned food has more protein per pound on a dry matter basis after all the water is taken out. We can do the same for fat, fiber, etc. AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profilesa Nutrient Units DM Basis Growth and Reproduction Minimum Adult Maintenance Minimum Maximum Protein % 30.0 26.0 - Arginine % 1.25 1.04 - Histidine % 0.31 0.31 - Isoleucine % 0.52 0.52 - Leucine % 1.25 1.25 - Lysine % 1.20 0.83 - Methionine-cystine % 1.10 1.10 - Methionine % 0.62 0.62 1.50 Phenylalanine-tyrosine % 0.88 0.88 - Phenylalanine % 0.42 0.42 - Threonine % 0.73 0.73 - Tryptophan % 0.25 0.16 - Valine % 0.62 0.62 - Taurine (extruded) % 0.10 0.10 - Taurine (canned) % 0.20 0.20 - Fatb % 9.0 9.0 - Linoleic acid % 0.5 0.5 - Arachidonic acid % 0.02 0.02 - Minerals Calcium % 1.0 0.6 - Phosphorous % 0.8 0.5 - Potassium % 0.6 0.6 - Sodium % 0.2 0.2 - Chloride % 0.3 0.3 - Magnesiumc % 0.08 0.04 - Irond mg/kg 80.0 80.0 - Copper (extruded)e mg/kg 15.0 5.0 - Copper (canned)e mg/kg 5.0 5.0 - Manganese mg/kg 7.5 7.5 - Zinc mg/kg 75.0 75.0 2,000.0 Iodine mg/kg 0.35 0.35 - Selenium mg/kg 0.1 0.1 - Vitamins Vitamin A IU/kg 9,000.0 5,000.0 750,000.0 Vitamin D IU/kg 750.0 500.0 10,000.0 Vitamin Ef IU/kg 30.0 30.0 - Vitamin Kg mg/kg 0.1 0.1 - Vitamin B1 (thiamin)h mg/kg 5.0 5.0 - Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) mg/kg 4.0 4.0 - Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) mg/kg 5.0 5.0 - Vitamin B3 (niacin) mg/kg 60.0 60.0 - Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) mg/kg 4.0 4.0 - Folic Acid mg/kg 0.8 0.8 - Biotini mg/kg 0.07 0.07 - Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) mg/kg 0.02 0.02 - Cholinej mg/kg 2,400.0 2,400.0 - a Presumes an energy density of 4.0 kcal/g ME, based on the "modified Atwater" values of 3.5, 8.5, and 3.5 kcal/g for protein, fat, and carbohydrate (nitrogen-free extract, NFE), respectively. Rationsgreater than 4.5 kcal/g should be corrected for energy density; rations less than 4.0kcal/g should not be corrected for energy. b Although a true requirement for fat per se has not been established, the minimum level was based on recognition of fat as a source of essential fatty acids, as a carrier of fat-soluble vitamins, to enhance palatability, and to supply an adequate caloric density. c If the mean urine pH of cats fed ad libitum is not below 6.4, the risk of struvite urolithiasis increases as the magnesium content of the diet increases. d Because of very poor bioavailability, iron from carbonate or oxide sources that are added to the diet should not be considered as components in meeting the minimum nutrient level. e Because of very poor bioavailability, copper from oxide sources that are added to the diet should not be considered as components in meeting the minimum nutrient level. f Add 10 IU vitamin E above minimum level per gram of fish oil per kilogram of diet. g Vitamin K does not need to be added unless diet contains greater than 25 percent fish on a dry matter basis. h Because processing may destroy up to 90 percent of the thiamine in the diet, allowance in formulation should be made to ensure the minimum nutrient level is met after processing. i Biotin does not need to be added unless diet contains antimicrobial or antivitamin compounds. j Methionine may substitute choline as methyl donor at a rate of 3.75 parts for 1 part choline by weight when methionine exceeds 0.62 percent. | Older Cats: Their Nutritional Needs As cats grow older, their nutritional needs usually change. Proper nutrition can add years to a cat's life and slow down the progression of many diseases. Monitoring your older cat's appetite, food consumption, eating habits, weight and body condition will be helpful when you and your veterinarian determine your cat's specific nutritional requirements and diet. Nutrient requirements and ability to digest food As cats age, their metabolism changes and their need for calories decreases. The same is NOT true for cats. Their energy needs stay basically the same throughout adulthood. Obesity is one of the main health problems of middle age (6-8 years of age) cats; it occurs less often by the age of ten, and greatly decreases after that. Some studies have shown that "senior" cats do not digest, and thus absorb fat, as well as younger cats. This means that older cats may actually need to consume more fat to get the same amount of energy. The weight and body condition of each individual cat will need to be monitored, and the amount fed should be adjusted accordingly. The protein needs of cats are higher than the protein needs of many other animals. Inadequate amounts of protein in the diet can impair immune function. Unless the cat has a health condition which would call for protein restriction, an older cat should not be placed on a protein restricted diet. Supplements The level of various vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes may be decreased in older animals who either absorb less of them through the intestinal tract, or lose more of them through the kidneys and urinary tract. Some older animals eat less, such as those with oral disease, and may not receive their daily needs of vitamins and minerals. Some evidence in other species suggest that anti-oxidants such as vitamins A, E, and C (beta-carotene) may play a role in protecting against some normal aging processes. Consult with your veterinarian to determine which supplements may be beneficial for your cat. Special dietary needs of older cats Various disease processes may require dietary changes to lessen the effects or progression of the disease. Cats with diabetes mellitus, colitis, constipation, or anal gland disease often benefit from diets with increased dietary fiber. Cats with inflammatory bowel disease and colitis can benefit from diets which have highly digestible sources of protein, fat and carbohydrates. There are special diets available for cats with heart disease; these diets generally have decreased amounts of sodium and increased amounts of the amino acid taurine. Cats with chronic kidney failure should be on diets with highly digestible protein so there are fewer breakdown products which the kidneys are responsible for eliminating in the urine. Cats with dental and oral disease which causes pain on eating hard food, may need to be placed on canned food. Cats with cancer have special dietary needs; increasing omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene in the diet are often recommended. Water Older cats may not drink sufficient amounts of water which can exacerbate constipation problems and contribute to dehydration in cats with kidney disease. Getting a cat to drink more water may not be easy. Offering more sources of water and adding flavoring to the water may entice some cats to drink more. Increasing food intake For a variety of reasons, including certain disease processes, some already finicky cats become even more so as they age. As soon as you find a food they seem to like and buy six more cans of it, they suddenly decide they don't like it any more. You'll soon find yourself with a cupboard full of cat food that you eventually decide to donate to the local animal shelter. To encourage a cat to eat more, you can: Heat canned or moistened dry food in the microwave to a warm temperature. This will increase the aroma of the food. Be sure to stir the food before feeding it to the cat since microwaves do not always heat uniformly. Add water from canned tuna, again, to increase the aroma of the food. If on dry food, switch to canned food. You may also want to switch to special diets which are high-calorie, nutrient dense, and are made for "stressed" animals. Hill's a/d which is available through your veterinarian is an example of this type of diet. Feed smaller amounts of food more often. Just as you may suddenly lose your appetite when an overflowing plate of food you could not possibly eat in its entirety is placed in front of you, the same may be true of your cat. By offering only a small amount of food multiple times during the day, your cat may actually increase her total daily intake. Ensure your cat has a quiet, stress-free place to eat. Be sure younger cats or other pets in the household are not harrassing the older cat when she eats. If it will not disturb her, pet her and talk softly to her as she eats. Feed balanced home made diets made with recipes provided by a veterinarian. Consult with your veterinarian regarding use of appetite stimulants for short-term use. Summary Cats, as a species, have specific nutritional needs, such as their need for high amounts of protein, the amino acid taurine, and beta-carotene. As cats age, their individual nutritional requirements can vary depending on their age-related changes in body function, disease processes, and behavior. Work with your veterinarian to determine the best diet and feeding approaches for your older cat.

There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life:
Music and Cats"...Albert Schweitzer