Protein-rich diet is best for cats for a long, healthy life

By Czarina Brozo

Cats need an animal-based protein diet, says Dr. Cissy Ramos of Vets in Practice animal hospital.

Contrary to the popular opinion that cats love to eat fish, cats are in fact obligate carnivores—they eat meat that is comparable to their natural prey such as mice or birds out of biological necessity.

A study conducted by the WALTHAM Center for Pet Nutrition found that 52 per cent of a cat’s calorie intake is from protein, which can be synthesized best through an animal-based protein diet. Therefore, cats require quality protein sources to be included in their diet for sustenance.

Dr. Ramos, a practitioner from Vets in Practice and a pet nutrition specialist said, “Cats are considered as strict carnivores and they’re still highly related to their ancestors. Their teeth and skull conformation are actually designed to hunt and kill prey efficiently.”

Animal-based protein can help cats maintain healthy muscle structures and provide them with natural forms of amino acids. Dr. Ramos noted,

“Animal source proteins like chicken can greatly contribute to the quality of protein in their diet and they do get appropriate amounts of essential amino acids from it.”

She also said, “Adding certain sources of protein especially, animal sources, cats can easily process it, break it down, and use it up in their body.”