NO, TOO MUCH MEAT DOESN’T HARM A CAT’S KIDNEYS!!!
Many owners are still frightened by the “excess protein” a cat might consume by eating too much meat or fish. But this is a contradiction, since we are talking about a strict carnivore.
THE CAT IS A CARNIVORE… AND IT SHOWS.
The cat is the quintessential carnivorous domestic animal. It is, in fact, an obligate carnivore: its diet must be based on meat and animal products to meet all its essential needs.
Anatomically, this predisposition is evidenced by the presence of small teeth, with the exception of the long, sharp canine teeth used to tear apart prey. A cat’s stomach is small and has limited capacity; in the wild, cats eat small prey many times throughout the day, resting between meals while digesting. A cat’s digestive tract is also able to digest and absorb proteins and nutrients from animal sources.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTEIN FOR CATS
Proteins are essential nutrients that enable the body to develop properly, from tissues to enzymes, which are needed for metabolic processes to function correctly. It is extremely important that cats get these nutrients through their diet from birth onward, throughout every stage of life, including adulthood and old age. A deficiency, or an insufficient intake, could cause serious disorders in various body systems, from the skin and coat to full-blown metabolic diseases.
However, many owners today prefer commercial foods formulated specifically for domestic cats, but which only partly meet modern cats’ natural nutritional needs: dry food, although complete and balanced, also provides carbohydrates that are unnecessary for cats if chosen as their sole food.
PROTEIN, YES, BUT QUALITY IS BETTER
Cats should receive an appropriate diet to ensure their health and well-being, and high biological value proteins are the foundation of their food pyramid. Naturally, the amounts of these protein sources should be adjusted to each individual cat’s age, weight, activity level, and lifestyle, but we can say that supplementing their complete and balanced dry food with a wet food made with high-quality proteins is certainly an appropriate choice for meeting their needs.
Of course, we are talking about healthy cats that can digest and process all animal-based food sources. If a cat has a medical condition, it is essential to follow the veterinarian’s guidelines for managing its diet in a way that supports the condition and any concurrent treatment.
When it comes to a mixed diet, we need to pay attention to balancing micronutrients (such as minerals), relying on a veterinary nutritionist and providing the right number of calories to avoid excesses that can lead to overweight and related metabolic problems. Another benefit of a mixed diet is protein variety, which encourages the inclusion of different amino acid chains, the building blocks of proteins.
YES, BUT WHAT ABOUT CATS’ KIDNEYS?
And what about kidney health? The most famous urban legend claims that “excess protein” causes a decrease in kidney function in cats, potentially leading to chronic kidney disease. However, it has been observed that this problem, especially in older cats, is more closely linked to inadequate hydration and an unbalanced diet, often consisting of dry food only, which is poorly suited to cats’ dietary needs.
Dr. Alessandra Calini
Veterinarian specializing in nutrition