When is my cat considered a young adult?
Cats are considered adults by the time they are one year old. It is not uncommon for them to live up to 20 years or longer. Once they reach 7 or 8 years of age, however, cats are considered "seniors.”
Between “full-grown” and “senior” is the young adult life stage. Unless there is an unusual medical crisis, the young adult stage is typically a healthy period of a cat’s life.
What are the main priorities in feeding a young adult cat?
The primary nutritional goals for the young adult cat are to maximize health, longevity, and quality of life. An appropriate diet for the young adult cat should address common health issues that nutrition may influence, including dental disease, obesity, feline idiopathic cystitis (also known as feline lower urinary tract disease), cancer, and osteoarthritis.
Your veterinary healthcare team is an excellent partner in choosing a nutrient profile that best suits your individual cat. Relevant factors to consider include age, gender, reproductive status (spayed or neutered versus intact), lifestyle (indoor versus outdoor), hunting behavior, and the presence of other pets in the household. An important first step is a thorough physical examination to determine whether the cat is underweight, overweight, or an ideal body condition. Body condition score (BCS) is more important than the actual number on the scale.
Neutered or spayed cats have a greater risk of becoming overweight versus intact cats, although the overall health risks associated with remaining sexually intact are far greater. Indoor cats also face a greater risk of becoming overweight or obese because they often lead more sedentary lives. Most cats are neutered by 5 to 6 months of age and should continue eating a diet formulated for growing kittens until 10 to 12 months of age. However, owners must carefully control daily caloric intake to maintain ideal body condition.
Once cats reach 10 to 12 months of age, you may gradually transition them to a young adult nutrient profile while continuing portion control and a consistent feeding schedule. For the average cat, the key to maintaining ideal body condition is to match caloric density and daily caloric intake to actual lifestyle and activity level, while maintaining portion control.
Does breed play a role in nutrition?
A cat's breed does not affect its nutritional needs as much as a dog's breed does; however, the breed may give clues to the cat's expected calorie needs. For instance, the Abyssinian tends to be a very active, curious, playful breed. The Persian, on the other hand, tends to be quiet, happy to engage in lots of "lap time." Although breed predispositions may influence decisions about caloric density and portion control, there is no data to support any specific nutrient requirements by breed.
What nutrients does my young adult cat need?
Young adult cats need water, energy, protein, fat, and fiber.
Water
Water is the most important nutrient for cats. Water intake can vary dramatically based on a cat’s diet, activity level, and environment. Cats evolved from desert dwelling ancestors and are adapted to obtain much of their hydration from food, since natural prey contains approximately 60% to 70% water. In contrast, commercial diets vary significantly in moisture content, with dry kibble containing about 8% to 10% water and canned diets providing 75% to 85% water. As a result, cats consuming dry kibble diets must drink more water to meet their hydration needs.
Cats make very concentrated urine, which can lead to idiopathic cystitis, so it is beneficial to promote increased water intake, particularly in young adult cats. You can help increase your cat’s water intake by providing fresh, flowing water sources, such as water fountains. Be sure to clean fountains and water bowls regularly. In addition, try including moisture-rich foods into their feeding plan, either by feeding solely canned food or a mix of kibble and canned food.
Energy
Talk to your veterinary team about how many calories your cat should eat each day so you know how much to feed. After that, monitor your cat's weight every 3 to 4 weeks to determine whether the amount you are feeding is right for your cat.
Protein
Protein is important for the young adult cat. To compare protein, or any nutrient, across different food types, it must be measured on a dry matter (DM) basis, which means looking at the nutrient content of the food after all the water has been removed. Your veterinarian can help you calculate a food’s dry matter. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) recommends a minimum protein content of 26% DM for young adult cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. In general, a protein content of 30% to 40% DM is appropriate for most young adult cats, whether active or sedentary. Although meeting protein requirements is important, feeding large excesses of protein provides no additional benefit. Excess dietary protein over the cat’s lifetime may contribute to the progression of early kidney disease.
Fat and Fiber
Different amounts of fat are needed depending on whether your cat is sedentary or more active. A sedentary cat may require a diet lower in fat, containing 9% to 17% fat DM versus 10% to 30% fat DM for a more active cat. Fiber content may help with satiety (the sense of feeling "full"). For inactive cats, the target fiber content should be 5% to 15% DM, whereas fiber can be less than 5% DM for some active cats.
Cat food manufacturers' contact information, found on food labels, can be used to request dry matter data for a particular nutrient you are interested in.
How much and how often should I feed my cat?
Obesity is an important health issue, so it is best to ask your veterinary healthcare team to calculate how many calories your cat needs to eat each day to maintain their ideal body condition. Meal feeding two or three times per day using a measured portion provides optimal control over intake and allows for easy modification if your cat's weight fluctuates.
"Your veterinarian remains the best source for nutritional recommendations specific to your cat."
At least several times each year, it is important for your veterinarian to assess your cat's body weight and body condition. They can also teach you how to perform body condition assessments at home. You can perform home assessments more frequently and, if you notice a change, bring your cat to the veterinarian's office to be weighed.
By paying attention to a few nutritional details, you can lay an excellent nutritional foundation to maximize health and longevity for young adult cats by maintaining a healthy weight all throughout life. Your veterinarian remains the best source for nutritional recommendations specific to your cat. Remember that your cat's nutritional needs may change over time, and regular check-ins with your veterinarian will help you to adjust their diet accordingly.