Our feline friends require protein to live, and a high-protein diet can help them thrive. This type of diet supports weight management, skin & coat health, digestion, immunity, and so much more. Let’s learn more about the benefits of a high-protein diet for cats.
As obligate carnivores, cats eat a diet that’s naturally quite high in protein. This is beneficial because they need protein to build and repair muscles, create enzymes, maintain a healthy immune system, and so much more. But not all commercial cat food recipes are formulated with high levels of this macronutrient, and switching to a high-protein diet for cats could help your cat’s health, energy levels, and longevity!
Why Cats Need Protein
Protein is a macronutrient that cats need for many functions and overall health. For example, the body uses protein to build and repair the cells that make muscles, organs, and tissues. It’s also a critical energy source for cats, whose diets are usually lower in carbohydrates than dog diets. Cats also need protein for:
- Regulating hormones
- Creating enzymes
- Moving nutrients and oxygen around the body
- Healthy immunity
- Balancing fluids and the body’s pH level
- Transmitting signals between cells
Benefits of a High-Protein Diet for (Most) Cats
Many cats can benefit from a high-protein diet. For starters, most of the protein in a cat’s diet comes from meat, which is an excellent source of the essential nutrients that cats must get from their diet. A high-protein diet for cats also supports muscle maintenance and development, healthy skin and coat, weight management, and healthy digestion. Aside from adult cats, high-protein diets can also be good for:
- Kittens who are growing and developing quickly
- Pregnant and nursing females who need extra energy
- Seniors who are prone to muscle loss
- Overweight cats who need to lose fat
However, there are some exceptions, and you should always talk to your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet. For example, cats with kidney or liver disease do best on low-protein diets.
Element Series Recipes for Cats: High-Protein Diets Done Right!
While a high-protein diet for cats can support health, meat isn’t the only thing to look for in a recipe. A complete and balanced cat food will have a variety of high-quality ingredients that supply them with amino acids, fat, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
New Element Series diets for cats are high-animal-protein recipes that deliver nutrient density in every bite. Formulated with the highest-quality proteins and ingredients, the recipes feature the proprietary Good 4 Life+ system, a combination of key ingredients like probiotics and prebiotics that support gut health, digestion, skin & coat health, and nutrient utilization. What’s more, the special blend of digestive enzymes ensures your cat gets maximum nutrition from every bowl. Finally, the inclusion of porcine plasma supports the immune and digestive systems while making food irresistible!
Element Series diets come in two dry and four wet formulations, making protein rotation and Full Circle Feeding a breeze. Visit NutriSource today to learn more about a high-protein diet for cats and new Element Series recipes for felines.
Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.
