Cat Nutrition – How Protein Rich Foods May Harm Senior Cats
We all know that cats are carnivores thus their natural diet should consist of protein-rich meat such as beef, chicken, and fish. Cats require a significant amount of protein for optimal growth, repairing muscle tissues, and as a source of energy.
Senior cats, on the other hand, require less protein than their younger counterpart due to their weak vital organs. Senior cats, in general, are less active therefore vital organs, such as the kidney and liver, will start to deteriorate thus the need to reduce their protein intake.
When a cat consumes protein-rich food, its digestive system will proceed to break down the proteins in order for the body to absorb the nutrients as efficiently as possible. The breakdown process will produce harmful toxic products, which the kidney and liver will remove from the cat’s body via feces or urine.
Since senior cats’ vital organs have deteriorated, too much protein will cast a large strain on the kidney and liver, making it difficult for the body to flush out toxins during the breakdown process. Also depending on the senior cat’s age, the kidney might not be fully functioning at all so the body will act upon this, by urinating more than usual in order to remove some of the toxins.
You should start reducing protein intake once the cat reaches the age of ten, cats at this age are considered as senior cats. You can purchase foods that are formulated especially for senior cats as these types of foods have low protein content, also consider purchasing a liver aid for your senior cat to help boost its liver functioning.
Please make sure that you consult the vet as well so that he can assess your senior cat’s condition, and prescribe a type of food and diet that is most suitable for the cat.
