No one likes having a smelly cat. It isn’t their fault, and
they shouldn’t be blamed for it. The real culprit? It’s probably you.
No, we’re not saying you’re a bad parent! The majority of
maldigestion issues are the result of poor nutrition. Sadly, most of the food
out there is made primarily of carbs and plant based proteins, both of which
lack the nutrition cats need to stay healthy. Cats have specific nutritional
needs, namely protein, vitamins, and minerals. Do you know what they don’t
need?
Carbohydrates. Yes, the much maligned nutrient is something that cats are
not naturally inclined to eat. Yet most commercial cat foods contain as much as
70% carbohydrates!
So, if cats don’t NEED carbs in their food, why is it
impossible to avoid them, and what kind of complications do they lead to? While
not inherently life threatening, carbs may hold the key to your smelly and
gassy feline.
Carbs serve a fairly important job in cat food, stretching
out the amount of food to help keep prices down, and providing an easily
digestible energy source. That’s right, even though cats typically only get
about 5% of their nutrition in the wild from carbs, they can digest carbs and
use them for energy. Dry food uses carbohydrates to give the food form,
texture, and to keep it together in a way that’s easy to handle. Without them
we wouldn’t have dry food at all! This leads to the important question. If
these carbs aren’t BAD for you cat, how can they lead to digestion issues?
The issue come from the amount of carbs you find in your
cats food.
The most obvious reason an excess of carbs is dangerous for
your kitty is the same reason carbs are so maligned in the human nutrition
world. While a quick and easy form of energy, carbs are easily converted to
glucose, meaning that it is very easy for a cat to take in far more fuel than
they can burn off. The result is obesity and other serious digestion problems,
from mild to severe, that can include excessive gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
While small amounts are easily digestible, the larger the quantity, the more
difficult it is for cats to digest, leaving portions that aren’t broken down.
The undigested carbohydrates will then ferment and create bacterial overgrowth
resulting in the production of gas, and leading to other symptoms of
maldigestion, including that unpleasant odor.
If you need to de-stink your cat, the most effective way is
to scrutinize the nutritional content in his food. Protein is the most
important ingredient. Look for “complete
and balanced” on the label as a great indication that the food uses high
quality proteins. The term “complete and balanced” officially indicates
compliance with The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)
requirements.
Protein sources with “named” protein in the listed
ingredients are vital to search for as well. Chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, etc
are key. A huge number of brand name foods contain by-products, meat or bone
meal, and other wiggle words that apply to things your cat should NOT be
eating. Corn or rice meal are another sign to tell you to put the bag down and
move on.
The final piece of the puzzle is water. Cats are not huge
water drinkers, and in the wild they get the majority of their fluid intake
from their food. Adding wet food to their diet is a fantastic way to help keep
them hydrated, a more natural way for them to consume their nutrients, and will
also help them better digest their dry food. Treat them to a few cans a week
and you will notice a marked difference in their litter boxes.
And as a helpful reminder to not ostracize smelly cats,
we’ll wrap up with this classic hit.
Remember while you laugh: diet can make a cat more socially acceptable –
and healthier.
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