As a pet parent, ensuring your feline friend gets the right nutrition is crucial. When you see cat foods labeled as ‘complete and balanced,’ they must adhere to standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These standards are either met by fulfilling a nutrient profile or passing a feeding trial. In 1995, AAFCO’s Feline Nutrition Expert Subcommittee revised their Cat Food Nutrient Profiles to better cater to our feline companions’ needs.
Nutrient Profiles for Different Life Stages
AAFCO has established two distinct nutrient profiles for cats: one for growth (kittens) and another for adult maintenance. This differentiation is essential as the nutritional requirements of kittens and adult cats vary significantly. For the first time, maximum levels of intake for certain nutrients have been set to address the growing concern that overnutrition is often a more significant issue than undernutrition in pet foods today.
The standards cover a wide range of nutrients, including protein, fat, fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins, and minerals. Understanding these profiles can help you make informed decisions about your cat’s diet.
Understanding ‘Dry Matter’ Basis
Nutrient levels are often expressed on a ‘dry matter’ (DM) basis, which can be confusing when comparing pet food labels. Most labels list nutrient levels on an ‘as fed’ basis. To compare, a simple conversion is necessary. For instance, if a dry food has 10% moisture, it contains 90% dry matter. If the label indicates a 20% protein level, you divide 20 by 90 to get 22% protein on a dry matter basis. Similarly, for canned food with 80% moisture and a 5% protein level on the label, you divide 5 by 20 to find 25% protein on a dry matter basis after accounting for water content.
AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles
Below is a table outlining the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles published in 2017. It includes a comprehensive list of nutrients, their units on a dry matter basis, and the minimum and maximum levels for growth and adult maintenance.
Nutrient table omitted for brevity
Key Considerations
Several key points from the AAFCO profiles deserve attention:
- Energy Density: The profiles presume an energy density of 3.5 kcal ME/g DM, which is based on the modified Atwater values for protein, fat, and carbohydrate.
- Fat: While the specific requirement for fat hasn’t been established, the minimum level acknowledges its role as a source of essential fatty acids and its contribution to palatability and caloric density.
- Magnesium: The risk of struvite urolithiasis increases with higher magnesium content if the mean urine pH of cats is not below 6.4.
- Iron and Copper: Iron and copper from certain sources, like carbonate or oxide, have very poor bioavailability and should not be considered in meeting minimum nutrient levels.
- Vitamin E: It’s recommended to add 10 IU of vitamin E above the minimum level per gram of fish oil per kilogram of diet.
- Vitamin K: Vitamin K isn’t necessary unless the diet contains more than 25% fish on a dry matter basis.
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Processing may destroy up to 90% of thiamin, so formulations should ensure the minimum nutrient level is met post-processing.
- Biotin: Biotin isn’t required unless the diet contains antimicrobial or antivitamin compounds.
- Choline: Methionine can substitute for choline as a methyl donor at a rate of 3.75:1 by weight when methionine exceeds 0.62 percent.
Conclusion
Armed with this knowledge, you can better evaluate the nutritional content of your cat’s food and make choices that support their health and well-being. Remember, every cat is unique, and their dietary needs may vary based on age, activity level, and overall health. Consulting with a veterinarian can provide personalized