Cat Food - Nutrient Chart

Nutrient Chart

**Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Cat Food Nutrient Profiles a**
with Role of Vitamins & Minerals
Nutrient	Units (Dry Matter Basis)	Growth and reproduction minimum	Adult maintenance minimum	Maximum	Functions	Signs of deficiency/Excess
Protein	%	30.0	26.0
Arginine	%	1.25	1.04
Histidine	%	0.31	0.31
Isoleucine	%	0.52	0.52
Leucine	%	1.25	1.25
Lysine	%	1.20	0.83
Methionine + cystine	%	1.10	1.10
Methionine	%	0.62	0.62	1.50
Phenylalanine + tyrosine	%	0.88	0.88
Phenylalanine	%	0.42	0.42
Threonine	%	0.73	0.73
Tryptophan	%	0.25	0.16
Valine	%	0.62	0.62
Fatb	%	9.0	9.0
Linoleic acid	%	0.5	0.5
Arachidonic acid	%	0.02	0.02
Minerals
Calcium	%	1.0	0.6		Formation of bones and teeth Blood coagulation Nerve impulse transmission Muscle contraction Cell signaling	Deficiency Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism loss of bone mineral content, which can lead to collapse and curvature of lumbar vertebrae and pelvic bones bone pain, which can progress to pathological fractures Excess Depressed food intake Decreased growth Increased bone mineral density Increased need for magnesium
Phosphorus	%	0.8	0.5		Skeletal structure DNA and RNA structure Energy metabolism Locomotion Acid-base balance	Deficiency Hemolytic anemia Locomotor disturbances Metabolic acidosis
Potassium	%	0.6	0.6		Acid-base balance Nerve-impulse transmission Enzymatic reactions Transport functions	Deficiency Anorexia Retarded growth Neurological disorders, including ataxia and severe muscle weakness
Sodium	%	0.2	0.2		Acid-base balance Regulation of osmotic pressure Nerve impulse generation and transmission	Deficiency Anorexia Impaired growth Excessive thirst and drinking Excessive urination
Chlorine / Chloride	%	0.3	0.3		Acid-base balance Osmolarity of extracellular fluids	Deficiency Increased sodium concentration in renal fluid Excess potassium excretion
Magnesium c	%	0.08	0.04		Enzyme functions Muscle and nerve-cell membrane stability Hormone secretion and function Mineral structure of bones and teeth	Deficiency Poor growth Overextension of the carpal joints Muscle twitching Convulsions Excess Urinary tract stone formation in the presence of high pH
Iron d	mg/kg	80.0	80.0		Hemoglobin and myoglobin synthesis Energy metabolism	Deficiency Poor growth Pale mucous membranes Lethargy Weakness Diarrhea Excess Vomiting and diarrhea
Copper (extruded food) e	mg/kg	15.0	5.0		Connective tissue formation Iron metabolism Blood cell formation Melanin pigment formation Myelin formation Defense against oxidative damage	Deficiency Reduced weight gain Longer time to conceive
Copper (canned food) e	mg/kg	5.0	5.0			Deficiency Reduced weight gain Longer time to conceive
Manganese	mg/kg	7.5	7.5		Enzyme functions Bone development Neurological function	No studies of deficiency in cats
Zinc	mg/kg	75.0	75.0	2000.0	Enzyme reactions Cell replication Protein and carbohydrate metabolism Skin function Wound healing	Deficiency Skin lesions Growth retardation Testicular damage
Iodine	mg/kg	0.35	0.35		Thyroid hormone synthesis Cell differentiation Growth and development of puppies Regulation of metabolic rate	Deficiency Enlargement of thyroid glands Excess Excessive tearing, salivation, and nasal discharge Dandruff
Selenium	mg/kg	0.1	0.1		Defense against oxidative damage Immune response	No studies of deficiency in cats
Vitamins
Vitamin A	IU/kg	9000.0	5000.0	750000.0	Vision Growth Immune function Fetal development Cellular differentiation Transmembrane protein transfer	Deficiency Conjunctivitis Cataracts, retinal degeneration, and other eye problems Weight loss Muscle weakness Reproductive and developmental disorders Excess Skeletal lesions in kittens, particularly outgrowths of the cervical vertebrae Osteoporosis
Vitamin D	IU/kg	750.0	500.0	10000.0	Maintenance of mineral status Skeletal structure Muscle contraction Blood clotting Nerve conduction Cell signaling Phosphorus balance	Deficiency Rickets Abnormalities in skeletal development Progressive paralysis Ataxia Lack of grooming Reduction in body weight and food intake Excess Anorexia Vomiting Lethargy Calcification of soft tissues
Vitamin E f	IU/kg	30.0	30.0		Defense against oxidative damage via free radical scavenging	Deficiency Anorexia Depression Pain sensitivity in abdomen Fat tissue pathology
Vitamin K g	mg/kg	0.1	0.1		Activation of clotting factors, bone proteins, and other proteins	Deficiency Prolonged blood clotting times Hemorrhaging
Vitamin B1 / Thiamine h	mg/kg	5.0	5.0		Energy and carbohydrate metabolism Activation of ion channels in neural tissue	Deficiency Neurological impairments including altered reflexes and convulsive seizures Heart-rate disorders Pathological changes in the central nervous system Severe learning deficits
Riboflavin	mg/kg	4.0	4.0		Enzyme functions	Deficiency Cataracts Fatty livers Testicular atrophy
Pantothenic acid	mg/kg	5.0	5.0		Energy metabolism	Deficiency Stunted growth Fatty changes in liver Small bowel lesions
Niacin	mg/kg	60.0	60.0		Enzyme functions	Deficiency Anorexia Weight loss Elevated body temperature Fiery red tongue, with ulceration and congestion
Vitamin B6 / Pyridoxine	mg/kg	4.0	4.0		Glucose generation Red blood cell function Niacin synthesis Nervous system function Immune response Hormone regulation Gene activation	Deficiency Stunted growth Convulsive seizures Kidney lesions
Folic Acid	mg/kg	0.8	0.8		Amino acid and nucleotide metabolism Mitochondrial protein synthesis	Deficiency Decreased growth rate increased iron levels in blood
Biotin i	mg/kg	0.07	0.07
Vitamin B12	mg/kg	0.02	0.02		Enzyme functions	Deficiency Weight loss Vomiting Diarrhea Intestinal disorders
Cholinej	mg/kg	2400.0	2400.0
Taurine (extruded food)	%	0.10	0.10
Taurine (canned food)	%	0.20	0.20
Nutrient	Units (Dry Matter Basis)	Growth and Reproduction Minimum	Adult Maintenance Minimum	Maximum	Functions	Signs of Deficiency/Excess
NOTES Presumes an energy density of 4.0 kcal/g ME, based on the modified Atwater values of 3.5, 8.5, and 3.5 kcal/g for protein, fat, and carbohydrate (nitrogen-free extract, NFE), respectively. Rations greater than 4.5 kcal/g should be corrected for energy density; rations less than 4.0 kcal/g should not be corrected for energy. Although a true requirement for fat per se has not been established, the minimum level was based on recognition of fat as a source of essential fatty acids, as a carrier of fat-soluble vitamins, to enhance palatability, and to supply an adequate caloric density. If the mean urine pH of cats fed ad libitum is not below 6.4, the risk of struvite urolithiasis increases as the magnesium content of the diet increases. Because of very poor bioavailability, iron from carbonate or oxide sources that are added to the diet should not be considered as components in meeting the minimum nutrient level. Because of very poor bioavailability, copper from oxide sources that are added to the diet should not be considered as components in meeting the minimum nutrient level. Add 10 IU vitamin E above minimum level per gram of fish oil per kilogram of diet. Vitamin K does not need to be added unless diet contains greater than 25 percent fish on a dry matter basis. Because processing may destroy up to 90 percent of the thiamine in the diet, allowance in formulation should be made to ensure the minimum nutrient level is met after processing. Biotin does not need to be added unless diet contains antimicrobial or antivitamin compounds. Methionine may substitute choline as methyl donor at a rate of 3.75 parts for 1 part choline by weight when methionine exceeds 0.62 percent.

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