Why do cats require higher proteins ?
It has been established that the cat has a higher requirement for protein than dog. Cat being an obligate carnivore use much of the protein in a normal meat diet to meets its energy requirement. Consequently, liver enzymes that deaminate amino acids in cats have a very high, constant activity rate and their activity is not modified even when the cat is receiving a low protein diets. But in omnivores and herbivores the activity of the enzymes, hepatic transaminases is modulated and varies directly with the dietary protein content.
While most animals can survive on a minimal protein intake of 4-8% of the total dietary calories, the cat needs 18 to 20% of total calories as protein for growth as kittens and 12 to 13% for maintenance as adults. Adult cat needs 11 essential amino acids. Three others viz. cystein, glycerine and serine probably are needed by the growing kitten for maximal growth.
It has been established that the cat has a higher requirement for protein than dog. Cat being an obligate carnivore use much of the protein in a normal meat diet to meets its energy requirement. Consequently, liver enzymes that deaminate amino acids in cats have a very high, constant activity rate and their activity is not modified even when the cat is receiving a low protein diets. But in omnivores and herbivores the activity of the enzymes, hepatic transaminases is modulated and varies directly with the dietary protein content.
While most animals can survive on a minimal protein intake of 4-8% of the total dietary calories, the cat needs 18 to 20% of total calories as protein for growth as kittens and 12 to 13% for maintenance as adults. Adult cat needs 11 essential amino acids. Three others viz. cystein, glycerine and serine probably are needed by the growing kitten for maximal growth.
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