How to Meet Your Cat and Kitten’s Nutritional Needs

Cats are independent pets. They are typically more content chasing off rodents than napping at your feet. And while they don’t need you to stay busy, they do require a specialized diet to help them tackle their many daily adventures.

Depending on age and where they spend their time, there are a few things to keep in mind when feeding your feline.

Provide kittens with plenty of protein

When weaned off their mother’s milk at eight weeks, kittens should have a high-protein diet. Those small furry felines will double or even triple in size during the first six months. To support this exponential growth, they need up to three times the energy of a fully-grown cat. So look for recipes containing at least 30% protein.

Kittens also require certain nutrients for their developmental growth. Here are a few of the most important ones to keep an eye out for on the nutrition label:

• DHA. This fatty acid aids in brain and vision development.
• Phosphorous and calcium. These nutrients help bones grow properly.
• Zinc and vitamin E. Kittens need these to build strong immune systems.

Most cats reach adulthood at one year old. However, a larger breed like a Maine Coon can take up to two years to reach full size. Once they do, it’s time to transition their diet.

Match adult intake with activity

As cats reach adulthood--or after spaying or neutering--weight management becomes an area of focus. Consider feeding your cat twice per day rather than free feeding. In the wild, cats can spend half their time just looking for and consuming food. If free-feeding is an option, they’ll instinctively overeat.

As with kittens, adult cats need certain ingredients in their diet for good health. Here are some you’ll want to see on the label:

• Fiber. This helps reduce hairballs, especially for indoor cats who can be more prone to them. Look for beet pulp or cellulose in the ingredient list.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin Sulfate. These substances keep your cat’s joints healthy.
• TruMune. Available in Nutrena True pet foods, this yeast ingredient helps cats stay active and improves their vitality.
• Taurine. This amino acid is essential for vision and heart function.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Nutrition

Indoor and outdoor adult cats lead different lives, and their diets should reflect that. Outdoor cats are almost always more active than their indoor counterparts. As such, they need more protein and energy. This is especially true for felines that spend long hours in cooler weather. To help their skin and coat stay strong and to protect them from the elements, it’s also important to have Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids. About 30% of a cat’s protein requirement is used for their coat. Being less active, indoor cats require less energy and fat, but more fiber to counter increasing concern over hairballs.

Our partners at Nutrena offer something for cats of all ages and activity levels, featuring concentrated nutrition in a small package. With the right recipe, you can help your cats put in their best work, whether that means prowling around in pursuit of vermin or simply sleeping the afternoon away in the sun. We all know they’re going to do exactly what they want anyway, right?

NOTE: This post is adapted (with permission) from content proudly brought to you by our partners at Nutrena and Cargill Animal Nutrition. The original article appears here.