Mineral Nutrition Needs of Domestic Cats

At the most basic level, there are 41 essential nutrients required by cats (in comparison to 37 by dogs) and they have a much shorter intestine than dogs meaning that they are comparatively less able to digest plant material.

Cats vary from many species in their different nutritional requirements for protein, certain amino acids, and vitamins. Protein is an essential nutrient which helps the building of body tissues (including muscle), forms the basis for enzymes (substances needed for body function) and is involved in the prevention of disease.

[Source: https://www.pfma.org.uk/the-nutrients-your-cat-needs]

Pet nutrition is a science to explore the whole process of absorption and utilization inside, and to analyze the relationship between life activities and nutrients. With the continuous improvement of the national economy and living standards in recent years, the pet industry has entered a period of rapid growth in areas with high GNP, and pet nutrition has emerged. Pets play an important role in bringing people joy. They accompany people, help to relieve pressure and improve the sense of responsibility of their owners. In the context of most families owning pets, people pay more and more attention to their pets’ health and nutritional needs.

Mineral is an essential inorganic nutrient in the activities of life organism. Although a small amount is needed, it plays a critical role in the physiological regulation of pet diet. The lack of minerals will cause the pet growth to be blocked, leading to metabolism disorder, internal environment disorder, disease and other symptoms. Moreover, excessive mineral deficiency is a common clinical symptom. However, the deficiency will be gradually relieved until it disappears as long as the corresponding elements are supplied. The deficiency is solvable and is easy to be treated, but it occurs frequently. Otherwise, it will cause serious pet health problems. Calcium, iron, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc and other elements are known mineral elements for domestic cats. Although they are less in vivo, they are necessary for growth and development in domestic cats.

The symptoms of mineral deficiency in domestic cats and some solutions were discussed in this article published in the journal of Probe - Animal Science.

If you are interested, please visit : http://probe.usp-pl.com/index.php/PAS/article/view/1336