Frequently asked questions

Complete cat nutrition includes a variety of nutrients that are provided through several combinations of ingredients. Every cat needs the following nutrients:

• Amino acids (make up protein, listed on cat food packages as “crude protein”)
  • Arginine
  • Histidine
  • Isoleucine
  • Leucine
  • Lysine
  • Methionine + cystine
  • Methionine
  • Phenylalanine + tyrosine
  • Phenylalanine
  • Threonine
  • Tryptophan
  • Valine
• Fatty acids (listed on cat food packages as “crude fat”)
  • Linoleic acid
  • Arachidonic acid
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
• Minerals
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Chloride
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Zinc
  • Iodine
  • Selenium (sometimes in the form of sodium selenite)
• Vitamins & other nutrients
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K (only required in high-fish diets)
  • Thiamine (vitamin B1)
  • Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
  • Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
  • Niacin (vitamin B3)
  • Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
  • Folic acid (vitamin B9)
  • Biotin (vitamin B7)
  • Vitamin B12
  • Choline
  • Taurine

Kittens and pregnant or lactating cats need different levels of the nutrients listed above, as well as the following additional nutrients, which should be included in any formula labeled “for all life stages”:

• Additional fatty acids
  • Alpha-linolenic acid
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid (EPA and DHA)