Cat Nutrition A major responsibility of cat owners is to provide their cat with the necessary nutrients required for its growth and maintenance. Cats need a diet that contains protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, and water. Those nutrients are the building blocks of body tissues, essential for normal metabolism, and necessary to supply energy for growth and maintenance. The basic minimum nutritional requirements for cats are established by the Feline Nutrition Expert (FNE) subcommittee of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Pet-food manufacturers use those standards when producing cat foods. Commercial cat foods are formulated as dry, semi moist, and canned. The products differ in water content, protein level, caloric density, palatability and digestibility. The differences are primarily attributed to the processing methods used by pet-food manufacturers. A quality cat food provides the necessary nutrients in a properly balanced proportion. Reading the nutrition label on the package is the best way to compare cat foods. Pet-food manufacturers are required to supply certain nutrition information on the package. Labeling regulations are established by the AAFCO and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) to ensure compliance with federal and state feed regulations. The section labeled "guaranteed analysis" lists the percentages of protein, water, fat, fiber, and ash. The amount to feed your cat should be based on caloric content, quality of nutrients, and your cat's special dietary needs. Meat scraps from the table and specialty cat treats can be fed from time to time but should not be a steady diet for your cat. Those treats often lack the proper proportion of basic nutrients a cat requires to maintain its health. A rule of thumb is not to let treats exceed 10 percent of your cat's daily diet. Although raw meat is an excellent source of many nutrients, it is not recommended as food for cats, because it is a potential vehicle for toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis. Throughout a cat's life, there are stages in which the cat requires different nutrients. Those include kitten hood, pregnancy, lactation, and old age. Be certain to select a food designed for your cat’s stage of life. Also, there are special dietary needs associated with certain nutrition-sensitive diseases such as food allergies, kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure and diabetes. Consult your veterinarian with any questions you might have concerning the proper feeding of your cat. (More Cat Nutritional Health Products)

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