The Power of Protein

The jury is still out on whether high-protein diets are a passing fad or a long-term solution for people who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But for cats, a high-protein, lower-carbohydrate diet is best for their unique metabolism, which works best with high levels of protein.

Purina® Pro Plan® has reformulated its entire line* of cat foods to contain protein levels of 40 percent or higher, the highest percentage of protein now available in any dry cat food brand.** All Pro Plan kitten foods have also been reformulated with increased protein levels. "We have learned that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require more protein than other mammals to maintain their metabolism and lean body mass," said Dr. Dan Marshall, DVM. "The increased levels of protein and lower levels of carbohydrates in the improved Pro Plan cat and kitten formulas better meets their unique needs."

Pro Plan Cat Products * ***

*Protein levels in Pro Plan UTH (Urinary Tract Health) formula were not increased
***Based on leading brand's guaranteed analysis of comparable formulas

Pass the Protein, Please

Cats are strict carnivores whose nutritional needs must be the met by the consumption of a large amount of animal-based protein, or meat. One of the crucial functions of the body is protein turnover, or the redistribution of amino acids from the skeletal muscle and other tissues to support metabolic functions. When dietary protein intake is sufficient, the amino acids lost from skeletal muscle are replaced with dietary amino acids and lean body mass is maintained. If the levels of dietary protein are inadequate, protein turnover continues but at a slower rate, which can result in the loss of lean muscle mass.

"Meeting daily protein requirements is absolutely essential for cats because it helps maintain lean muscle mass and promote a healthy weight," added Marshall.

Cats cannot metabolize carbohydrates as effectively as protein. Carbohydrates that are not used for energy are converted to and stored as body fat. This factor, combined with the fact that many indoor cats are physically less active, can promote excess weight and subsequent weight-related health issues.

"In my clinic I have found that many overweight cats slim down when their diets contain higher protein and lower carbohydrate levels," Marshall noted. "Many people think it's not harmful for their cat to be over ideal body condition, but a score of 6 to 6.5 on the Purina Body Condition Score chart is equivalent to being 20 to 25 percent over ideal body weight."

Studies suggest that approximately 25-44 percent of dogs and cats seen by veterinarians in the United States and Europe may be overweight or obese, a number that has dramatically increased in the past 20 years.

Real Meat Protein

Real meat from chicken, salmon, turkey, beef or lamb is the number one ingredient in Pro Plan's reformulated line of cat and kitten foods. The newly formulated line will be available in pet specialty stores in March and includes Pro Plan Indoor Cat, Pro Plan Hairball Management and Pro Plan Adult Weight Management formulas.

"Feeding cats the reformulated Pro Plan diet with optimal levels of protein will help maintain their lean muscle mass and the health of the skin and hair coat," added Marshall. "Basically, a high protein diet is important for a cat's general health and well-being."

Purina® Pro Plan® has reformulated its entire line of cat and kitten foods to contain protein levels of 40 percent or higher, the highest percentage of protein now available in any dry cat food brand. New research shows that a high-protein, lower-carbohydrate diet is best for cats' unique metabolism. The new formulas are available in 4 lb., 8 lb. and 20 lb. jugs and retail for between $7.99 and $27.99 in pet and feed stores nationwide.

Q&A – CATS AND HIGH PROTEIN DIETS

Why is a high protein diet important for cats?

Cats are strict carnivores, so their metabolism and dietary needs are different from other species, including dogs. As carnivores, their bodies work best with high levels of protein and lower levels of carbohydrates.

How do cats benefit from a high protein diet?

Cats efficiently metabolize protein, which is why protein should be a main energy source in their diet. High protein levels help cats to maintain lean muscle mass for strength and a healthy energy level. An optimal level of protein in the diet helps sustain a healthy skin and hair coat, and a high protein, lower-carbohydrate diet also promotes a healthy weight.

How does protein maintain lean muscle mass?

All mammals need optimal levels of protein in their diets for optimal protein turnover, which helps maintain the strength and function of skeletal muscle. Protein turnover is the redistribution of amino acids from the skeletal muscle and other tissues to support key metabolic functions and the replacement of the amino acids lost from the skeletal muscle with dietary amino acids. If cats receive an insufficient amount of protein, protein turnover continues but at a slower rate and can result in a loss of lean body mass.

What role do carbohydrates play in cat food?

Think about the foods cats eat in the wild – whether it's a lion hunting an antelope or a feral cat subsisting on mice, meat is the staple of a cat's diet. Cats are strict carnivores that metabolize protein more efficiently than carbohydrates. As such, their bodies thrive on high levels of animal-based protein. Unlike wet (canned) cat foods, dry cat food can conveniently be left out so the cat can graze throughout the day and is less likely to cause plaque buildup and other dental problems. But whether dry or canned, cats' bodies work best when they consume a high-protein diet, such as Pro Plan, which reduces reliance on their less-efficient carbohydrate metabolism.

How does obesity affect cats?

Obesity is the most common form of malnutrition occurring in dogs and cats in developed countries. Because of their relatively small stature, cats that are just a few pounds overweight may be considered obese. Domesticated cats are less active than the species evolved to be, which only compounds the problem. As with humans, excess weight in cats may lead to reduced energy levels, a variety of health issues and an overall decrease in longevity.

How can I tell if my cat is overweight?

Talk to your veterinarian at your cat's next check-up to determine your cat's body condition score based on the nine-point Purina Body Condition System™ (BCS) scale. A BCS score of 5 is ideal for cats, whereas a score of 6 or higher indicates that cats are moderately to severely overweight.

How can a high-protein diet benefit my overweight cat?

Research indicates that when cats are on a weight loss regimen, a higher proportion of weight loss comes from fat than from lean muscle mass when fed a high protein diet. Once a cat reaches a healthy weight, a high-protein, lower-carbohydrate formula helps maintain that weight because it promotes lean muscle, which burns more calories than fat. The protein level in Purina Pro Plan's reformulated Weight Management formula is 46 percent, which is the highest of all Pro Plan's improved cat and kitten formulas.

Can I feed my cat a strictly meat diet rather than a commercial pet food diet to provide his protein needs?

Though cats are strict carnivores, feeding them meat alone may not provide them with the levels of important vitamins and nutrients they need, such as calcium and taurine. For this reason, a commercially prepared diet that contains optimal levels of protein and other critical nutrients their bodies require is key to a cat's lasting health.

What is the ratio of protein to carbohydrates in Pro Plan's reformulated cat foods?

It varies slightly based on type of formula (e.g. adult or weight management), but all of the new formulations, except Urinary Tract Healthy Formula, provide more than 40 percent protein, the most of any dry cat food on the market.

What is the source of protein in Pro Plan cat and kitten foods?

There are a variety of high quality protein sources in Pro Plan foods. Real meat, fish or poultry, such as turkey, chicken, salmon, beef or lamb is the #1 ingredient in Pro Plan cat and kitten foods (except for Urinary Tract Healthy Formula) and a major source of protein in the diet.

Do I need to feed my senior cat a high protein diet?

Senior cats, or those seven years or older, often become overweight and may experience weight-related health issues because they are less active and lose lean muscle mass as they age. A high-protein diet for senior cats helps reduce loss of lean muscle mass and helps promote a healthy weight. Purina Pro Plan's Senior Chicken and Rice and Hairball Senior formulas both have increased levels of protein.

Dr. Dan Marshall's Biography, DVM

Dr. Dan Marshall, a respected authority on feline medicine, has been in veterinary practice in Michigan for nearly 25 years. Since 1992 he has operated a feline only hospital, Cats Veterinary, in Clinton Township, Mich. In addition to providing general and emergency feline care, Marshall specializes in treating hyperthyroidism, the most common hormonal disease of cats. He received his nuclear medicine license in 1994 and thereafter began performing radio iodine treatments to treat this condition. His practice has since grown to include five licensed facilities for nuclear medicine in Michigan.

Marshall earned his veterinary degree from the University of Illinois Veterinary School in 1982. Following a two-year stint in general practice in Illinois and Arizona, Marshall practiced emergency medicine at Michigan's Oakland Veterinary Emergency until becoming an associate at a feline-only practice in 1986. He has focused on feline medicine ever since.

Marshall serves on Michigan's state board of medicine and as past president and current council member for South Eastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. He is an active member in the Macomb Oakland Managers, a professional group open to veterinary practice owners, and is serving on the American Veterinary Medical Association's accreditation team for a site visit at Michigan State University in March 2005.

Marshall lives in Michigan with his wife and their 10 cats.