Indie Cat Food

Indies are a hardy breed with little to no known health complications as long as they are fed nutritious meals, i.e. diets that are age-appropriate, wholesome, and balanced. More often than not, Indie cats find themselves eating food that is rich in carbohydrates with very little satiety value. In such cases, these cats tend to put on unnecessary weight leading to obesity and its ugly consequences. Hence, it is best to draw up a diet chart for your Indie with a veterinarian. Here’s a deeper insight into what must go into Indie cat food to ensure your kitty lives a long, happy, and healthy life - 

Protein

Cats are carnivores who eat more protein compared to other animals of their size. Dietary protein helps with the development of muscle, maintenance of skin health, optimum synthesis of enzymes, proper hormone regulation, cell regeneration, antibody production, and growth of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Protein is also used as a secondary source of energy in cats. Cats need animal protein simply because they need specific nutrition from meat. A cat's digestive tract breaks down protein into amino acids and then reassembles those amino acids into the specific type of protein required by the cat at any particular time - fascinating, right? Cats need the following amino acids (that are best found in animal tissue instead of plant protein) - Arginine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Leucine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Taurine, Tryptophan, and Valine. According to the AAFCO, adult cats need a minimum of 26% of crude protein. Kittens, nursing cats, and lactating cats need around 30%, whilst senior cats need around 28%.

Fat

Healthy fats are often in the form of oils - fish oil, cod liver oil, olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and more. They help with cushioning organs, improving brain function, maintaining healthy skin and coat, decreasing allergies, and improving digestion. Fatty acids are found in ingredients such as fish, chicken, liver, pork, mutton, beef and so on. According to the AAFCO, cats require a minimum of 9% of fat (dry matter basis).

Carbohydrates

Oftentimes, a cat's diet is loaded with carbohydrates to make up for the lack of animal protein, when in reality, they require less than 10% of carbohydrates in their diet. Cats have evolved to derive their energy from protein and fats, leaving very little requirement of the same from carbohydrates. In fact, some cats are allergic to certain types of carbohydrates. Before attempting to feed your cat carbs, it is best to check with a veterinarian to see whether it would suit your cat's digestive system or cause an adverse reaction.

Vitamins & Minerals

Essential vitamins and minerals for your kitty are found in vegetables, fruits, and seeds. Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, and iron are essential minerals, likewise, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K are essential vitamins - all of which are found in nutritious, balanced, and wholesome cat food. Vitamins and minerals are necessary for proper hormone function, strengthening of joints, maintaining skin health, and boosting the immune system.