WHAT’S IN CAT FOOD?

PET CARE | CATS |

The food you feed your cat is the single most important thing you can do for its health. Cats like all other mammals need a wide range of nutrients to maintain healthy body function. For optimal health your cat needs a diet which is nutritionally balanced and palatable.

It is important to remember that the nutritional needs of a cat are distinct and different to humans.

Did you know that a cat requires 41 essential nutrients for healthy body function? They are classified into 6 main nutrient groups. They are water proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

To achieve the right balance of nutrients pet food manufacturers blend mixtures of ingredients including meat and fish, vegetables, cereals, vitamins and minerals to produce foods that will satisfy the nutritional requirements of your cat. Cat owners who feed a complete commercial cat food can have confidence they are addressing their cat’s nutritional needs.

Over the decades pet food manufacturers have developed the nutritional expertise to ensure they incorporate the latest advances in pet nutrition. Pet food manufacturers produce products in line with the FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) Nutrition Guidelines and the NRC Guidelines (National Research Council). These guidelines detail the nutritional requirements of cats at varying life stages and they are regularly reviewed by independent nutrition experts throughout Europe and the United States. There is also strict legislation governing what ingredients can be used in the manufacture of pet food. This legislation is laid down by Europe and also applies to imported commercially prepared pet foods.;

The broadening knowledge of pet nutrition and food technology has transformed the pet food industry remarkably over the years. It is now widely recognised by the veterinary profession that pets are living longer, healthier lives as a result of improved nutrition.

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SATISFACTORY CAT FOOD

Complete – provides adequate amounts of all the required nutrients
Balanced – the nutrients are present in the correct proportions
Digestible –  your cat is able to digest the food and absorb the nutrients
Palatable – appealing enough to be eaten
Safe – free of toxins or anything which could harm a pet

Read all about pet foods in our guide to pet food labels for pet owners

 

CAT FOOD INGREDIENTS

Animal Derivatives

Meats are generally good sources of protein, essential fatty acids, iron and some B group vitamins. They also increase the palatability of a product and have a high digestibility.

The animal based materials used in pet foods come from animals which are veterinary inspected and are passed as fit for human consumption but which are surplus to the requirements of the human food industry. These materials meet the very high safety and quality criteria laid down in the Animal By-Products Regulations 2005.  Please see our information and guidance on Pet Food Legislation. 

PFMA members only use materials from species which are generally accepted in the human food chain. PFMA members use materials of beef, lamb, poultry, pork, fish, rabbit and game.

 

Fish

Fish is a good source of high quality protein. Fish muscle contains iodine. Because bones are frequently ground when preparing the fish, a good source of calcium and phosphorus is also provided. The flesh of oily fish contains vitamin A & D and omega 3. Fish are commonly divided into two groups; white fish - haddock, plaice, cod, whiting and sole; oily fish - herring, pilchards, mackerel, sardines, tuna, salmon and trout. If you would like to find out more about the specific fish used in a particular pet food, please contact the manufacturer.

 

Dairy products and eggs

Dairy products and eggs provide high quality and digestible protein. Dairy products also provide calcium and a number of vitamins. Examples of dairy products used in cat food include cheese and milk products.

 

 

 

 

Vegetables

Vegetables provide a great source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Soya beans provide a source of protein and energy, omega 6, B vitamins fibre and minerals.

 

 

 

 

Cereals and cereal by- products

Cereals provide an important source of energy, a proportion of protein and other nutrients including thiamine and niacin. Although cats have no absolute dietary requirement for carbohydrates, they present an excellent energy source in an easily digestible form. Good sources of carbohydrates in pet foods are usually cereal based such as corn (maize), rice, wheat, barley or sorghum. Certain fibres like moderately fermentable fibres such as beet pulp or rice bran) can also have additional beneficial effects on the health of the digestive tract.

 

 

Fats and oils (animal and vegetable)

Fats and oils provide a supply of energy and essential fatty acids. They are important for optimal health, including kidney function, reproduction and a glossy coat. There are 2 different types of essential fatty acids (EFAs) – omega 3 & 6. Some fats also supply a source of vitamins A, D, E & K.

 

 

 

 

 

Vitamin and mineral supplements


 

A supplementary supply of vitamins and minerals may be added to ensure cats are receiving the required daily dietary intake.

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium and chloride

Sodium is an essential nutrient for cats and along with chloride is important for fluid balance in the body. Good sources of sodium in cat food include meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. Sodium may also be included in prepared pet foods in the form of table salt (sometimes listed on the ingredients panel as salt) to enhance taste.

NB The National Research Council lays down guidelines on sodium levels for dogs and cats. Although sodium levels in human food can present a human health issue due to the risk of hypertension, sodium levels in prepared pet food are not a cause for concern in healthy adult dogs and cats. The physiological make up of a pet animal is quite distinct from that of a human. Healthy dogs and cats are actually able to consume diets with higher sodium levels than those found in most prepared pet foods without any adverse effects such as increased blood pressure or gain in body water. While a higher sodium intake may cause increased thirst and water consumption, the extra sodium is excreted without problem in the urine. In pets with disorders such as heart or kidney disease reduced salt diets may be advised. Such disorders must be discussed with a vet and appropriate dietary advice followed.

 

Various sugars

The term "various sugars" is a category description, which may refer to sucrose (cane sugar, commonly known as table sugar), fructose and glucose, all of which are natural products present in fruit, vegetables and cereals.

Some manufacturers may add sugar to cat foods as an energy source. Dogs and cats can easily convert sugar in to usable energy through normal digestion.

Manufacturers may also add very small amounts of sugar to assist with the cooking process. When sugar is cooked along with meat it results in browning of the meat and the production of natural sugars (just the same as those produced in the cooking of the Sunday roast), this provides a pleasing colour and enhances palatability.

If sugar is included in addition to that which naturally occurs in the ingredients, levels are carefully controlled to ensure nutritional balance and palatability.

 

Additives

Additives which can be used in cat foods include vitamins, flavours, preservatives, antioxidants and colours. Most of the additives used in pet food are also used in our foods. PFMA members only use legally permitted additives and only in the smallest amounts possible.

Preservatives can be artificial or natural, but either way they work by preventing the spoilage of food ingredients just like in our food. Preventing deterioration and maintaining high quality, nutritious and palatable foods is critical in pet food manfacturing. Canned pet foods are protected from spoilage by their airtight storage in the can but dry foods, even with modern packaging, must include preservatives to maintain the quality and safety of the food.

Natural preservatives, tocopherols (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), are the most commonly used in pet food. All preservatives either artificial or natural must be included in the ingredient list on the food's label.

Antioxidants play a substantial role in the long term health and well being of cats. Some manufacturers may add biological antioxidants, such as vitamins C & E and selenium, to cat foods to help support good health and neutralise free radicals.

Any cat owner who is interested in obtaining further information on the ingredients of a specific cat food product should look at the label on the packaging. If there are any additives present this will be indicated by a statement such as, “Contains EC permitted antioxidant”. The enquirer should then contact the company directly, using the name and contact details on the packaging, to ask which additive it contains.