Calcium and phosphorus for cats

There are many nutrients that play a crucial role in the health of cats. These include calcium and phosphorus. Both the individual amounts in the food and the ratio of the two minerals to each other are important for a diet that meets your pet’s needs. You will find everything you need to know in this practical guide.

Content

Why is calcium so important for cats? Why do cats need phosphorus? What are the sources of calcium and phosphorus? What is the ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio for cats? What are the FEDIAF guidelines and what do they recommend with regard to calcium and phosphorus for cats?

Why is calcium so important for cats?

Calcium is a mineral that cats require for various bodily functions. The most important ones are listed here:

Bones and teeth:
Calcium is the primary component of bones and teeth and ensures that they are strong and healthy.
Cell stimulation:
It enables cells to respond to hormones and other stimuli.
Muscle and nerve function:
Calcium plays an important role in muscle contraction and nerve conduction.
Blood clotting:
Calcium is essential for activating blood clotting.
Energy metabolism:
The mineral is essential for the utilisation of energy and its transfer within the body.

Why do cats need phosphorus?

Cats need phosphorus for the following bodily functions in particular:

Bones and teeth:
Phosphorus is the second most important component of bones and teeth after calcium.
Energy metabolism:
Phosphorus is essential for the production and utilisation of energy in the body.

What are the sources of calcium and phosphorus?

Calcium and phosphorus have a number of natural sources. In high-quality cat food, they are already present in the required quantities and do not need to be supplemented. The following ingredients can be used in pet food to cover calcium and phosphorus requirements:

Meat:
Muscle meat contains natural phosphates, but only a small amount of calcium.
Bone meal:
Contains both calcium and phosphorus.
Offal:
Liver in particular contains phosphorus and other important trace elements.
Egg shells:
An excellent source of calcium.
Marine algae lime:
Can be used to supplement calcium.

What is the ideal calcium-phosphorus ratio for cats?

Calcium and phosphorus should not be present in the body in either too low or too high a quantity. In addition, the organism always attempts to create an optimum ratio of the two minerals. In the event of a deficiency or imbalance, it is possible, for example, that calcium has to be obtained from the bones and teeth. As a result, this will impair their stability over time.

However, an oversupply should also be avoided: An excessively high concentration of phosphorus can have an adverse effect on the functions of the kidneys.

When it comes to feeding cats a healthy diet, both the amount of minerals ingested and the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus are of crucial importance.

What are the FEDIAF guidelines and what do they recommend with regard to calcium and phosphorus for cats?

FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) is the umbrella organisation of the European pet food industry. The Scientific Advisory Board, a panel of independent European experts in animal nutrition, issue recommendations for the nutritional composition of pet food – including the required amount and ratio of calcium and phosphorus in cat food. The FEDIAF guidelines state that the ratio of calcium to phosphorus should be in the range of 1:1 to a maximum of 2:1.

Minimum recommended levels:

Calcium: FEDIAF recommends a minimum content of 1g calcium per 1000 kcal of metabolisable energy in food for adult cats and 2.5 g for kittens.
Phosphorus: For phosphorus, a minimum content of 0.64 g per 1000 kcal of metabolisable energy is recommended in adult food and 2.1 g in food for kittens.

Important for all pet owners: animonda always guarantees the nutritional content recommended by FEDIAF for all nutrients in its complete foods!