How Much Protein Does My Cat Need?

For cat food to be called “complete and balanced,” it must have at least:

• 26% protein (for adult cats)

• 30% protein (for kittens, growth, and reproduction)

These numbers are measured on a dry matter basis. But most cat food labels show protein as “as fed”, which includes water. To compare foods, you need to change it to dry matter.

Here’s how:

1. Look at the moisture % on the label. Subtract that number from 100. The answer is the dry matter %.

2. Take the crude protein % and divide it by the dry matter %.

3. Multiply by 100.

The result is the protein % on a dry matter basis.

Can Cats Be Allergic to Certain Proteins?

Yes. Some proteins can cause problems for cats.

• Too much low-quality protein can make kidney disease worse.

• Protein is also the main cause of food allergies in cats.

If your cat has health issues, always ask your vet which type of food is best.

Fat

Protein gives cats energy, but fat gives even more. Fat is the richest source of energy in a cat’s diet. It also helps carry nutrients in the body and supports nerve signals.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are special fats. They keep the skin and coat healthy, help wounds heal, and reduce inflammation.

Sources of Fat

Cats get fat from foods like salmon, chicken, liver, and beef.

Sometimes, extra fat is added to cat food. On the label, you may see ingredients such as beef fat, fish oil, or soybean oil.

How Much Fat Does My Cat Need?

In Europe (including the U.K.), FEDIAF also recommends a minimum of 9% crude fat in cat food.

Carbohydrates

Most animals use carbohydrates for energy. Cats are different — they get most of their energy from protein and fat.

Cats can digest small amounts of carbs, but they don’t need much.

Sources of Carbohydrates

Too many carbs are not natural for cats. High-carb diets can cause weight gain and health problems like diabetes.

Some cats with food allergies may also react to certain carbs, but this is less common than allergies to meat like beef, chicken, or fish.

How Many Carbs Does My Cat Need?

Cats should get less than 10% of their calories from carbohydrates.

Dry cat food needs more carbs to hold its shape, so only wet food can meet this level. Feeding mostly wet food is the easiest way to lower carbs in your cat’s diet.

Vitamins

Vitamins are small but very important parts of a cat’s diet. Without vitamins, the body cannot run the chemical reactions it needs to stay healthy.

Sources of Vitamins

Vitamins are found in many foods, such as meat, vegetables, fruits, oils, seeds, and grains.
But it is almost impossible to give cats the right amounts of every vitamin without adding vitamin supplements during cat food production.

Which Vitamins Do Cats Need?

According to AAFCO, cat food should include these vitamins:

• Vitamin A – good for eyes, bones, teeth, skin, and reproduction

• Vitamin D – helps bones by raising calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood

• Vitamin E – an antioxidant that protects cells

• Vitamin K – needed for normal blood clotting

• Thiamin (B1) – helps the body use carbohydrates

• Riboflavin (B2) – releases energy from food

• Pantothenic Acid (B5) – helps the body use carbs, fats, and some amino acids

• Niacin (B3) – needed to process fats, carbs, and protein

• Pyridoxine (B6) – helps use amino acids, glucose, and fatty acids

• Folic Acid (B9) – helps make DNA and amino acids

• Biotin (B7) – helps make fatty acids, amino acids, and DNA/RNA

• Vitamin B12 – needed for fat and carb metabolism, and for healthy nerves

• Choline – important for nerve signals, cell membranes, and fat transport

Do Cats Need Extra Vitamins?

If your cat eats a complete and balanced food, they already get all the vitamins they need. Giving extra vitamins is usually not needed and can sometimes be harmful.

Always ask your veterinarian before giving your cat any vitamin supplements.

Minerals

Minerals are nutrients that do not contain carbon. Cats need them in their diet to keep the body working normally.

Sources of Minerals

Cats can get some minerals from meat and plants (for example, bone meal).
But to make food complete and balanced, cat food makers usually add mineral supplements.

• Calcium: Vital for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth and as an intracellular messenger

• Phosphorus: Essential for the growth and maintenance of bones and teeth and vital to normal metabolism

• Potassium: An electrolyte that’s important for nerve function, muscular contraction, and heart rhythm

• Sodium and Chloride: Electrolytes that help with hydration, acid-base balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and muscle contraction

• Magnesium: Important for enzyme function and the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fats

• Iron: Needed for oxygen transport throughout the body

• Copper: Plays roles in iron absorption and transport, skin pigmentation, and skeletal growth

• Manganese: Important for metabolism, immune function, and bone formation, as well as acting as an antioxidant and more

• Zinc: Necessary for carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid metabolism

• Iodine: Needed to make thyroid hormones

• Selenium: An important antioxidant that works in conjunction with vitamin E

Water

Water is the most important nutrient for cats.

Most of a cat’s body is made of water. Water is needed for almost every body function.

House cats evolved to get most of their water from food, not from a bowl.

Cats usually let themselves get more dehydrated (about 8%) before drinking, while dogs drink sooner (around 4%).