Protein is very important for cats. It’s needed for their proper development, immune system and growth. It also helps with cell repair and to make new ones. Protein is already a part of every cell’s structure.
Made from amino acids, protein helps create bodies and grow hair, nails and skin. If a cat has extra protein, it can also be burned and turned into calories, or stored and converted into fat, which makes it important for your cat’s overall health.
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Types of cat food with the highest amount of protein
Cat food that has the most protein is based on a variety of different types of meat. The protein in commercial cat foods comes from chicken, poultry, lamb, beef, fish, and liver. It is important for cats to get food with animal protein and fat.
What wet cat food has the most protein?
You can find many wet cat foods with a high amount of protein. This is our choice.
 | Royal Canin Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy Wet Cat Food
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What dry cat food has the most protein?
Here is our choice when you need a dry cat food with a lot of protein.
 | Purina ONE Natural Tender Selects Blend With Real Salmon Dry Cat Food
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Cat food based on fish also includes is a great protein source, but also a good way to get omega-3.
How to pick a cat food with high protein content
Now that you already know the reasons why cat food with high protein content is better compared to other available alternatives, the question you should be pondering is how to pick the best one. There are actually a lot of questions when talking about how to pick the best cat food with a high protein level for your cat. Wet or dry? Plant protein or animal protein? Organic or inorganic?
These questions might not have definite answers, however, there are things you can consider while you compare different protein-rich foods for your feline friend.
What does my cat like?
First of all, assess what flavors your cat prefers. For most cats, this is a good starting point for protein sourcing. Some like fish sourced proteins, while other cats may prefer horse meat, chicken meat or other animal meat. Also, most cats love to get protein from organ meats, regardless of the animal. Most cats prefer to get proteins from meat rather than vegetables; however, there are some exceptions.
You should use your cat’s tastes as a guideline, instead of a fast and hard rule. Your cat may like a new kind of food if it has much higher protein content compared to their usual favorites.
How much protein content does cat food have?
The best cat foods with high protein levels are actually not one hundred percent protein since the animal matter isn’t one hundred percent protein either. Though high protein feline foods will be mostly made of protein, they will also contain up to ten percent carbohydrates and fats.
Most importantly, wet food for cats often has more protein than dry food since it does not need to be processed too much. Wet canned food also has a lot of benefits like giving your cat more water that helps him with digesting food, as well as preventing urinary tract problems.
Does the food contain the complete nutrition your cat needs?
There isn’t a point in giving your cat high protein food if the protein itself does not contain the most important amino acids your cat needs in order to survive. Most of the time, this is a problem in cat foods that are heavily processed, since many protein amino acids degrade during the process. So make sure to read the label.
Will my cat like the food I picked?
There’s no point in finding the best high protein food for your cat if he is not going to eat it. So, the best thing to do at first is to buy just a sample quantity of a certain cat food brand, then see if your feline friend will like it. Do not try to force him into eating a new brand of cat food for too long if he is not willing to eat it. Sometimes, the flavor preferences of your cat are inconsistent with what food is the best for them.
Video: How to chose a healthy cat food for you cat
Common Questions About Protein-Rich Food for Cats
Why is cat food high in protein?
Cats need protein in order to maintain their healthy coat and skin and for the production of energy. Aside from that, protein is very important to support lean muscle mass. Cats need at least 2 grams of protein per pound of weight in the calorie content they consume daily. This is why cats should consume enough protein daily.
Should cats eat a high protein diet?
Diets with high protein content can help felines lose weight, in addition to the many benefits it can give. However, bear in mind that high-protein doesn’t mean low-calorie, and losing weight is still about the meal portion control. Even if your cat is in the early stages of disease like kidney disease, it is a good idea that you start looking for high-quality food with a protein-rich diet.
Do cats need a high protein diet?
Cats naturally have a much higher protein requirement than other domestic animals like pigs, chickens, dogs and even people. Highly digestible, high-quality protein is most especially important for young cats and even adult nursing cats. Simply put, cats really need a high protein content in their daily diet, as protein helps them achieve a healthy body and lifestyle.
What is the best high protein wet cat food?
For many cats, wet cat food is the right choice. It is still important to choose one with a lot of protein. There are many great wet cat foods out there. Some that are worth mentioning are Wag Wet Cat food that includes a lot of great real meat, and a good budget choice is Meow Mix Seafood Selection.
Often an even better choice is to get fresh cat food delivered to your doorstep from for example Nom Nom.
What are the Advantages of a High Protein Diet for Cats?
When you choose to give your cat a high protein diet you and your kitten or cat is getting as close to its natural food source as possible. Essential amino acids and high amounts of protein will reduce the risk of your cat getting feline diabetes and will be less likely to get obese.
Conclusion
Cats need protein in order to grow and they are not able to get all the important amino acids they need from low-protein cat food. Likewise, the dietary needs of cats change in their twilight years; however, that does not mean that they could forgo consuming protein. In fact, high-protein cat food guarantees that when the metabolism of a cat slows, they will not gain too much weight as a result.
