Feline nutrition
BY NATURE, CATS ARE CARNIVORES!
NO KIBBLE IS ADAPTED TO A CAT'S NATURAL DIET IN ITS PRIMARY ENVIRONMENT.
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC CATS HAVE GRADUALLY ADAPTED TO THEIR NEW LIFESTYLE. AT PRESENT, ALMOST 80% OF ITS MAIN DIET COMES FROM ADAPTED PRODUCTS, WHILE 20% IS MADE UP OF COOKED MEAT.
Kibbles, a dietary supplement...
But not a main power supply
Kibbles should be given in moderation, as a supplement to a predominantly wet diet (pâtée or raw meat). Too much kibble can lead to health problems, particularly urinary and digestive problems.
Cats with a history of health problems (rhinitis, cystitis, stones, crystals) are at greater risk of intolerance and allergy, especially as they age. For these cats, specific kibbles adapted to their state of health (for example, for urinary health or hypoallergenic) are often recommended.
Quality croquettes... A matter of proteins!
Quality kibbles should contain at least 40% animal protein, mainly from real meat (not ground carcasses), as meat is more digestible and nutritious for cats, which are strict carnivores by nature. Vegetable proteins are less suited to their digestive systems.
Kibbles should also be low in cereals, which corresponds to the proportion of cereals that cats consume in the game they hunt. Although some cereals (such as rice or oats) are tolerated by cats, it's best to avoid kibbles that are mainly made up of cereals (often found in the Standard and Premium ranges).
A quality kibble should have the following composition:
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Crude animal protein: 40% to 80
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Crude animal fat: 15% to 20
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Crude fibre/cellulose: 1% to 10
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Carbohydrates: Minimised sugars and starches, Cellulose (crude fibre): 1% to 15%.
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Amino acids: Taurine, Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Valine
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Fatty acids: Omega 3: 1%, Omega 6: 1% to 3%.
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Vitamins: A, E, C
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Minerals: Calcium: 1% to 3%, Phosphorus: 1%, Magnesium: 1%.
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Trace elements : Copper, Iron, Zinc, Selenium, Manganese
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Crude ash: 5% to 10%.
In other words:
The best kibbles for your cat are those that contain a high proportion of meat from a specified animal species, or even a piece of meat. They contain little or no cereal, as this meets the nutritional needs of cats, who are strict carnivores. Organic kibbles are preferable, as they limit exposure to pesticides and other chemical substances, which is good for your cat's health.
It's your cat, my choice: A good kibble for your cat is one that he eats and digests well. You'll see the results naturally: a stable weight, a beautiful coat and good general health.
Kibbles should be freely available and as much as your cat wants, but make sure that the bowl is proportioned so that it empties during the day. This means you can change it regularly and keep the environment clean.
At the Neva Star Cattery, we use the following kibbles:
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Mother & Babycat by Royal Canin: Designed for weaning kittens up to 3 months.
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Kitten by Royal Canin: Complete and balanced food for kittens from 3 to 12 months.
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Hairball by Royal Canin : Designed to reduce hairballs, for adult cats.
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Royal Canin Hair & Skin: Helps maintain healthy skin and a shiny coat.
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Purizon: Inspired by nature, these croquettes contain 70% meat or fish, as well as fruit, vegetables and herbs. They are guaranteed grain-free and carefully prepared to retain all their nutrients and flavours.
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Applaws: High-quality complete food with 80% meat and no cereals. Developed in collaboration with vets, these kibbles take into account the feeding behaviour of cats living in the wild.
The best of wet cooking to delight your cat !
Wet cat foods, such as fresh meat sachets or tins (cat meat), are rich in water, generally between 70% and 80%, and contain few carbohydrates, often less than 15%, and sometimes close to 0.
In terms of composition, cat meat is the industrial food that most closely resembles what cats can hunt in the wild, notably because of its high meat content.
However, although pâtée is beneficial, it does not cover all a cat's nutritional needs if it is given 100% on its own. It is important to supplement its diet with other sources of nutrients, such as high-quality kibbles, to ensure a complete intake.
The benefits of wet food :
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Rich in water: cat meat helps maintain good hydration, which limits the risk of urinary pathologies such as chronic kidney failure, crystals or stones. It also protects the kidneys and liver and aids digestion by keeping the body well hydrated.
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Rich in meat: As it's made up mainly of meat, cat meat is highly digestible and suited to the physiology of strict carnivores like cats. It is therefore particularly recommended for their digestive health.
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Low carbohydrate: Low carbohydrate cat meat is ideal for cats suffering from obesity, pancreatitis or diabetes. It also helps to control the food cravings of gluttonous cats, thanks to its high water content.
Criteria for good quality cat meat :
To be of good quality, pâtée must meet certain criteria:
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Clearly identifiable meat: It should contain between 60% and 90% quality meat, preferably from a specified animal species.
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Vegetables and carbohydrates (rice, pasta, fruit): These ingredients must not exceed 10% of the composition.
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Meat or vegetable stock or jelly: May represent between 0% and 30% of the product.
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No by-products: Quality pâtés must not contain meat by-products, preservatives or artificial colourings.
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Identifiable proteins: Animal proteins must be clearly defined
Recommendations for cat food:
We recommend that you feed your cat pâtée once or twice a day, preferably at set times. Make sure the bowl is emptied immediately to ensure the food is fresh. Pâtée that remains at room temperature for too long can deteriorate rapidly.
At Chatterie de l'Étoile Neva, we offer a wide variety of brands to ensure a varied diet, but some brands stand out for their quality, especially those that favour natural ingredients and a high meat content.
A tasty reward to delight your cat!
Just like us, cats sometimes feel the need for a little treat or simply the desire to please themselves. That's why you can give your feline companion a treat, either to reward him or to spoil him.
There are a multitude of types and shapes of treats: pastilles, snacks, chewy pastes or sticks... there's something for every palate!
At the Chatterie de l'Étoile Néva, our cats have a marked preference for :
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Vitakraft Cat Stick Classic
Tasty sticks rich in meat or fish, without sugar or artificial flavourings. Ideal for rewarding your cat.
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Cosma Snackies Freeze-dried treats / Balance & Instinct
Natural, highly palatable treats made entirely from meat and fish.
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Miamor Cat Snack Multivitamin Paste
Paste enriched with vitamins, trace elements and taurine for optimum nutrition.
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Sanabelle Dental Snack et Berlingots / Purina Dentalife
Treats that contribute to oral hygiene and tartar prevention.
Human Food (BAF)
Human Food can offer certain benefits for animals, provided you understand which foods are safe and appropriate for them to eat.
In short, if well-chosen and well-balanced, human food can be an excellent addition to your cat's meals, providing :
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Fresh, natural ingredients: Foods such as cooked vegetables, lean meat (chicken, turkey) or cooked rice are natural and free from preservatives, providing a healthier, safer diet for cats.
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Control over ingredients and portions: Preparing homemade meals means you can better control the quality of ingredients and adapt portions, especially for cats with allergies or intolerances.
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High-quality animal proteins: Lean meat, fish or beef provide essential proteins that are better digested by cats than vegetable proteins.
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A more varied and appetising diet: Human cuisine can offer a greater variety of flavours and textures, which stimulates the appetite of fussy cats or kittens.
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A meal adapted for special diets: Preparing home-cooked meals, under the supervision of a vet, helps to meet the specific needs of cats with health problems.
Conversely, some human foods can be toxic to cats, leading to serious digestive problems, poisoning and even death in some cases. These foods include
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Onions and garlic: Destroy red blood cells, leading to anaemia, even in small quantities (raw, cooked or powdered).
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Avocados: Contain persin, which is toxic to cats, causing vomiting and diarrhoea. The pit can also cause choking or intestinal obstruction.
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Grapes and sultanas: Can cause acute renal failure, even in small quantities, and should be avoided altogether.
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Cooked bones and fish bones: Can break easily and cause obstructions or perforations in the digestive system. Fish bones are also a choking hazard.
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Dairy products: Most cats are lactose intolerant, which can cause diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
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Alcohol: Extremely toxic for cats, even in small quantities, it can cause nervous disorders, tremors, convulsions, and can even lead to coma or death.