Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Administration (FDA). A growing number of companies make “all nat-
ural” foods that contain no synthetic ingredients or preservatives.
Whether these diets will improve your cat's health and longevity has
not been proven. I have seen many cats who have lived into their 20s
and have eaten regular, commercial dry foods their entire lives.
If you watch your cat eat, you may see that she does not chew much
on the dry food. Some cats eat too much dry food all at once and
regurgitate it. Cats who regurgitate need to be fed smaller portions.
Mixing in some canned food, or adding some water to the dry food,
can also help. Other strategies to decrease regurgitation are feeding a
larger sized kibble that must be chewed before its swallowed, and feed-
ing in a shallow bowl that more widely disperses the food. Both of these
ideas slow down the pace of eating and decrease regurgitation.
ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCES IN CATS
I have already mentioned that normal cats require a high level of pro-
tein in their diets. Proteins are made up of amino acids, and there are
nine essential amino acids that all mammals—including humans—
require in their diets. Cats also require four other amino acids in their
diets: arginine, taurine, methionine and cysteine.
The typical protein sources used in manufacturing cat foods easily
supplies adequate levels of arginine. Arginine supplementation is rec-
ommended in cases of feline hepatic lipidosis to help support the
detoxification of proteins during metabolism.
Taurine deficiency became newsworthy in the late 1980s because a
type of heart disease, called dilated cardiomyopathy, was linked to inad-
equate intake. Pet food manufacturers changed their formulations as a
result of this finding, thus virtually eliminating this type of heart disease.
Taurine also plays roles in reproduction, neonatal health and vision.
The sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, are
needed to synthesize other proteins. Deficiencies of these amino acids
are rare.
Two other amino acids become essential in certain situations.
Tyrosin is needed for the synthesis of melanin, and a lack of intake or
production of tyrosin leads to a reddish discoloration of black coats.
Carnitine is thought to be important in weight management and
fat metabolism. Supplementation in cases of hepatic lipidosis improves
survival.
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