What is taurine in my cat's diet?

But by the way, what does my cat eat? More and more of you are concerned about your pet's diet. Unfortunately, this awareness often comes as a result of a health problem or, in the saddest cases, the premature death of your previous cat. For others, this desire to better feed your kitty is probably the reflection of a personal trend towards healthier consumption and the intention to feed them as well as the rest of the family. Whatever the reason for this choice, it's probably the best decision you can make to give our cats the beautiful, happy life they deserve. Because while we have suffered from poor diets for decades now, unfortunately our cats are far from spared! Diabetes, cholesterol, obesity, urinary and kidney problems... none of these diseases should occur with quality food. Like our own diet, the diet of our cats has evolved over the last ten years, becoming increasingly processed, more convenient, and more economical. To the point where we sometimes hear (often): « You should get a cat, it doesn't cost much to feed and you can leave for the weekend without worrying about it! ». Unfortunately, and obviously, that's not true. A cat is a living being, an extra mouth to feed, and a strict carnivore. And as we know, meat, when it's of good quality, is one of the most expensive foodstuffs. So, when we buy a bag of kibble for 3€ per kilogram, there's probably more wheat, corn, and sugar than meat in it. But if we save a few years on food expenses, the veterinary costs of just one of these diseases could quickly make us regret our choice. Today, many brands claim to sell the best food for our cats. While some of these claims are sincere, we realize that for many of them, they are just marketing arguments, often misleading and with no real benefit. And while more and more consumers are informed, enlightened, and no longer fooled, we wanted to help you in this approach, so you don't get trapped by the first well-polished slogan. #1 - 100% Natural Doesn’t Mean 100% Healthy "Natural" is probably the term we hear the most these days! It's normal, natural reassures us. A few photos of plants and a "wild jungle" design, and we feel like we're feeding our cat like a predator from the desert! The difference is that kibble doesn't grow on trees and doesn't run very fast. We're the first to be reassured by what is natural. Cosmetics, food, decor... natural is everywhere! In fact, a Mediaprism-60 million consumers study shows that "the demand for natural food has become essential for 83% of consumers." But have you ever wondered what a natural diet really means for our cats? We'll let you think about that... To answer this question, we referred to the "Code of Good Practices of Fediaf" and here's the definition of a natural food: "The term 'natural' should only be used to describe the components of pet food (from plants, animals, microorganisms, or minerals) free of additives and that have not undergone any physical treatment other than those that make them compatible with pet food production while maintaining their natural composition. Among these treatments, dehydration, smoking, pelletizing, certain enzymatic processes, grinding, and extrusion are accepted." Since we don't consider the addition of nutritional or technological additives when using the term "natural," and since manufacturers no longer use or list GMOs (unless their presence is mandatory), we can say that pretty much EVERYTHING is natural...! That said, while we enjoy using natural creams on our faces or natural deodorant under our arms, does eating "natural" make us healthy? Apparently, if we take these three foods: fries, pizza, cheeseburger – all three are natural (and let's face it, pretty tasty)! But consumed daily, they're far from healthy (sorry to burst your bubble, guys, but potatoes are still not a vegetable). So when we look at a kibble or a pâté that's made up of 40% carbohydrates (sweet potato, corn, pea flour, beet pulp, sugar, or soy) – we can call that "100% natural," but for our cats, it's actually unnatural! For all these reasons, at Ziggy, we've removed the word "natural" from our packaging. It's tempting, and we often use it by reflex, but it doesn't add anything except false reassurance. We prefer to prove to you, through scientific analysis and arguments that our pâtés are healthy. And in the end, what's the point of lying? Sooner or later, the benefits or harm will be clear in your cat! #2 - Grain-Free Doesn’t Mean Carbohydrate-Free In recent years, we've seen more and more kibble and pâté for dogs and cats bearing the "grain-free" or "grain-free" label, and it has become a major selling point for many of us. After all, what could be more natural? Our domestic carnivores are not chickens, so we don’t want to feed them wheat, corn, or oats... they might start clucking! But... a kibble is essentially a little cookie? And without flour, it's difficult to make a cake (personally, we've never succeeded)! It is indeed impossible to make kibble without "starch." Starch is a "carbohydrate stored by plants in the form of granules, which, when ground, provide a paste." The paste? That's the glue that allows your cookie or kibble to hold its shape. So, if there are no cereals in the kibble, we still need starch. In grain-free foods, we often find sweet potato, potatoes, pea flour, chickpea flour, lentils, tapioca (cassava), and sometimes even quinoa, yes, quinoa. While grain-free diets are a source of reassurance for many of us, it’s still important to analyze and calculate the carbohydrate content of your cat’s kibble or pâté. It’s very likely that a grain-free food containing 30% to 50% carbohydrates is just as harmful, if not more harmful, than a food containing a little rice or wheat. At Ziggy, we chose to keep things simple and healthy, and we don't include cereals, starches, or legumes in our pâtés, let alone quinoa. So, no starch, no problem! By the way, we provide you with a detailed list of all the ingredients we use here. #3 - There’s no chicken fillet in the kibble This will probably be your biggest disappointment. No, the chicken fillet on the packaging of your kibble is not the same chicken that’s in your kibble. More often than not, it’s actually meat meal, dehydrated meats, or proteins. We know wheat flour, but what exactly is meat meal??? Well, it’s a “powder obtained by cooking, degreasing, sterilizing, grinding, and sieving animal by-products,” definitely not as appetizing as the Sunday roast chicken they sold you, right? You might say, “But in the kibble I buy, there’s fresh meat .” And that’s a good point! But let’s not fool ourselves, it’s still not the Sunday chicken. It’s closer to the meat you find in fast-food nuggets or in supermarket meat (with a bit of carcass thrown in). Stop salivating, we see you! This meat is called VSM. What? What’s that? VSM stands for “Mechanically Separated Meat.” What? Doesn’t sound too appetizing, does it? VSM is a product that is “obtained by mechanically removing the meat from the bones or carcasses of poultry. After deboning, this product may contain bone, cartilage, or marrow residue, unlike ground meat or meat for minced dishes”. We’re definitely far from the protein quality of a chicken fillet. And it’s probably not much different for fish kibble – you’re probably getting more bones and skin than salmon fillet in your kibble.How do we spot this?   Often by the percentage of minerals present in the food, also known as the “Ash Content”. Carcasses and bones both add a lot of minerals (calcium and phosphorus, among others). So make sure to read the ingredient list carefully and check that the mineral content isn’t too high. We’ve made the decision to banish all these types of meat from our pâtés. The only animal protein present in our pâtés is muscle meat and offal. We leave the rest to others. #4 – No, your cat doesn’t need mango, cranberry, chia seeds, or spirulina to be healthy (and still no quinoa) What do all these ingredients have in common? They are very photogenic, they are “superfoods,” but mostly they are “super marketing ingredients.” All of these ingredients are typically quite expensive, and they are appreciated by humans for their various health benefits: mango and chia are rich in antioxidants (polyphenols) and help protect our cells from free radicals. Cranberry has a disinfecting effect on the urinary tract, and spirulina is very concentrated in plant-based proteins (60-70%). Another thing they have in common? They literally come from the other side of the world. Chia from Mexico, mango from tropical countries (mainly Asia), and cranberry from North America. Exotic! But not really useful. While they beautifully decorate the packaging of kibble and pâtés, they are by no means essential to our cats’ health. And often (almost always), you’ll find only 0.00001% of… mango skin in your kibble. To add fiber to our recipes, we decided to prioritize French vegetables, a bit basic, we admit: carrots, zucchini, and green beans. Less sexy, yes, but we guarantee your cat won’t hold it against you. It just won’t be posting its pâté on Instagram. #5. “Knowledge is Power” What’s the moral of the story? Understanding what your cat eats every day is just as important to its health as knowing what goes on your own plate. The less transparency there is, the more doubt there is! Thank you for reading this article! Don’t stop here, keep reading, researching, and comparing! Ask questions and demand answers. From all brands. Ours included. And more than ever, take care of yourself and your cat 😻 Want to learn more? We’ve prepared a selection of articles that may interest you: You should give pâté to your cat, here’s why A cat shouldn’t eat only kibble! Complete or complementary pâté? Be careful of the confusion! Ziggy, the revolution in your cat’s bowl And if you’re convinced and want to change your cat’s diet, you can introduce them to our healthy and complete food, formulated with love by Dr. Géraldine Blanchard, a feline nutrition specialist. A dietary transition may be necessary, especially if your cat tends to be "picky" with food. But we promise, we’ll be available to guide you and answer all your questions. Are you a feline nutrition expert? Test your knowledge with our quiz!

Amino acids, minerals, ash content... It can be hard to understand all the terms used in our cats' diets! To help you make sense of it, we've put together a little glossary to better understand the contents of your little companion's food bowl. Organ Meats There are two categories of organ meats: "noble" organs or red offal, and white offal (tripe, ears, and stomach). Among the noble organs, you'll find examples like beef tongue, liver, kidneys, or cheek. Noble organs are ideal for our cats as they have a high protein content. While these organs are considered fit for human consumption, the food industry doesn't value them for commercial reasons, which is why they are often used in pet food. Amino Acids Amino acids are essential macronutrients for bodily functions (immune system, growth, digestion, reproduction...) and for the structure (bones, skin, muscles, fur) of our little companions. Among the twenty amino acids commonly found, eleven are essential for cats: these are the essential amino acids. These include taurine, arginine, phenylalanine, methionine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, tryptophan, threonine, and histidine. To learn more about amino acids, don't hesitate to check out our article on taurine in cat food. Complete Food It's important to make a clear distinction between "complete food" and "complementary food". A complete food must cover all of the cat's nutritional needs for which it was formulated. You can feed it as the sole food to your cat, along with a bowl of fresh water. Complementary Food Unlike complete food, complementary food cannot be given as the only food because it doesn't cover all of our cats' nutritional needs. It is therefore useful to consult the manufacturer for the recommended daily quantities to ensure a balanced diet. Starch Starch is a "complex carbohydrate (sugar)". It generally comes from rice and corn and is always present in kibble, even grain-free ones because it is necessary for the extrusion process. In fact, starch is what gives kibble its light, crispy texture. Palatability Our little companions are very sensitive to the palatability of food. For example, the consistency, temperature, and smell of food strongly influence how much our cats accept it. Our cats, for example, prefer food at room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 35°C. Many cat food manufacturers have understood this and use sensory additives to modify the visual appearance (colorants) or organoleptic qualities (flavor enhancers) of the food. Strict Carnivore Our cats are what we call strict carnivores. That means they cannot do without meat in their diet. The fact is that our cats can only meet their nutritional needs through animal tissues. However, this does not mean they should eat only meat, as an "all-meat" diet is highly unbalanced and leads to many deficiencies. Animal Meals Animal meals in our cats' food are made from meat mechanically separated from the carcass. This meat-bone mixture is then processed into meal form. In lower-quality kibble, meals are richer in bones as it costs the manufacturer less. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are sometimes called "hydrates of carbon". They are substances made up of simple sugars. These sugars form molecules of varying complexity and properties. As strict carnivores, our cats' metabolism of carbohydrates differs from that of omnivores. Carbohydrates are non-essential in their diet. However, in small amounts, they can provide a good energy source, especially if the starch is properly cooked. Neophobia When faced with novelty in their food, your cat may be repelled. This is called neophobia. Neophobia often develops in older cats whose eating habits have become firmly established. It is also common in cats that haven't been exposed to a varied diet in the early weeks of life, as they tend to be more neophobic. Neophilia In contrast, some cats are attracted to novelty. For example, cats that have access to the outdoors tend to be neophilic. As mentioned above, what a kitten eats in the first few weeks of life, as well as the diet of its mother, will impact its food preferences. Minerals The term "minerals" refers to inorganic matter in your cat's food. There are macro-elements such as calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and chloride (Cl). There are also trace elements present in smaller amounts, such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iodine (I), and selenium (Se). Animal Proteins These are the fuel for our cats! They cannot do without them in their diet. However, not all animal proteins are the same! For example, elastin, collagen, and keratin have very low protein effectiveness due to their poor digestibility and amino acid imbalance. Plant proteins in our cats' food mostly come from cereal grains (wheat, rice, corn, barley). A cat with insufficient protein intake may end up in poor physical condition or have a dull coat. Ash Content This refers to the total amount of minerals in the food. The ash content should neither be too low nor too high. Too little or too much micronutrient intake can have long-term negative impacts. In food, the ash content can be a good indirect indicator of quality. There needs to be a minimum to meet requirements, but a high ash content indicates an excessive amount of carcass material. Dietary Transition We recommend dietary transition at Ziggy! The dietary transition is probably the best method to help your cat accept a new food. It involves gradually introducing a new food alongside their current diet. The goal is not to upset their digestive system. You can read our article to discover the steps and tips for a successful dietary transition. Mechanically Separated Meat (MSM) Mechanically Separated Meat (MSM) is a product "obtained by mechanically removing the meat from poultry bones or carcasses. After deboning, this product may contain bone, cartilage, or marrow residues, unlike minced meats or meats for mince". Are you an expert in feline nutrition? Test your knowledge with our quiz!

"Ashes in my cat's food, and what's next?!" We see you panicking! Don't worry, we're not talking about cigarette butts or charred paper, but about minerals found in our cats' food, which remain after the complete combustion of a food, hence the term "ashes". How is the ash content calculated? "Crude Ash", "Mineral Matter", or "Minerals": These three terms, which appear on the labels on the back of packaging, refer to the total amount of various minerals present in a food's composition. The mineral matter is mainly represented by calcium and phosphorus, but also contains sodium chloride, potassium, and magnesium. If a percentage of calcium and phosphorus is also listed, it is additional information, but they are already counted in the crude ash. The calculation of the ash content in a food is done in a laboratory. The food is heated to a very high temperature until completely burned. The remaining ashes are mainly composed of mineral matter that remains after this combustion. In short: it's what "remains" when the food has been entirely burned. What are the main minerals and trace elements? In the ash content, there are macroelements, which are present in relatively large quantities in the food, and trace elements, which are found in small quantities. The Macroelements calcium (Ca) phosphorus (P) potassium (K) sodium (Na) magnesium (Mg) chloride (Cl) The Trace Elements iron (Fe) zinc (Zn) manganese (Mn) copper (Cu) iodine (I) selenium (Se) What is the role of minerals in my cat's diet? Minerals and trace elements in our cats' food play a major role: They ensure the growth and maintenance of hard and soft tissues and also preserve tissue integrity. They help regulate biological and physiological processes of the cells. For example, calcium ensures the functioning of the nervous system, blood clotting, and muscle contraction... Iron guarantees the binding and transport of oxygen. They are essential for the production of enzymes and hormones. The ash content should not be too low or too high in your cat's food. Too low or, conversely, too high a micronutrient intake can have a negative long-term impact. We should be cautious about both underdosing and overdosing. Ash Content, an Indirect Indicator of Quality In a complete food, the crude ash content is a good indirect indicator of quality. A minimum amount is required to meet needs, but a very high amount indicates a high amount of carcass with bones. We aim for a crude ash percentage of 6 to 10% of dry matter. This means approximately 5.5 to 9% in dry food like kibble, or 1.25 to 2.5% in wet food like pâté. Avoid choosing foods with more than 12% crude ash (of dry matter). A food rich in ash (and therefore in carcasses or Mechanically Separated Meat) can lead to very hard white stools or even constipation. Example of the analytical composition of a well-balanced mineral food, Ziggy Sterilized Adult Cat Food - Grain-Free - Fish: Example of the analytical composition of a supermarket pâté with more than 2.5% crude ash: Crude protein 9.5% Crude fat 4% Crude fiber 0.8% Crude Ash 3% Moisture 82% Estimated carbohydrates 0.7% Does your cat suffer from urinary problems? Watch the ash content in their food If your little companion suffers from urinary issues, it will be important to pay attention to the "mineral matter" or "ashes" in their food. In a cat with urinary problems or kidney stones, the goal is to dilute urine through a wet food diet and avoid high mineral content, as these can aggregate into crystals and then stones. Choose food with a controlled and stable mineral composition (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, phosphorus). Choose food with less than 5% ash content of dry matter. This means less than 4.6% in kibble with around 8% moisture, or less than 1.1% in wet food with 78% moisture. Finally, don't forget that by choosing the right food for our cats, we can prevent certain diseases, keep them healthy, and avoid high vet bills. Are you a cat nutrition expert? Test your knowledge with our quiz!