Natural and species-appropriate diet
The cat is an obligate carnivore, and to an even greater extent than the dog, depends on animal raw materials to meet its physiological nutritional needs. The cat's digestive system and metabolism are adapted to a high-protein diet. A diet rich in animal raw materials will provide the cat with essential nutrients, such as taurine, certain fatty acids and vitamins, which will cater to its natural and unique nutritional needs. A raw diet should resemble as closely as possible the diet that is the cat's natural first choice.
VOM Cat – natural cat food
In nature, the cat would have eaten muscle meat, bones and organs from smaller prey such as mice, rats and small birds. These are leaner prey that are rich in protein, and especially the amino acid taurine. In VOM Cat we have taken their nutritional needs into account by including leaner and more taurine-rich parts of the chicken, such as gizzards.
By nature, cats are also desert animals, with a limited sense of thirst because they obtain most of the fluid they need from the prey they eat in the wild. Therefore, a cat’s diet should be based on animal-based ingredients with a high water content to meet both the cat’s nutritional and fluid requirements. Dry food alone does not provide sufficient fluid and, over time, can put a strain on the urinary tract. VOM Cat contains a natural moisture content (approx. 70%) derived from the meat ingredients, which helps to maintain a healthy fluid balance for the cat.
VOM Cat is made from fresh, raw and natural animal raw materials that are minimally processed. The products are not heat-treated, so the composition and nutritional content of the ingredients are well preserved. When the nutrients are in their completely natural form, they are easier for the cat to recognise, digest and utilise. Therefore, VOM Cat is the natural choice that promotes a stronger immune system, better health and quality of life.
- Naturally high liquid content
- Biologically adapted to the cat's needs
- Made from leaner raw materials with a high protein content
- Contains only animal ingredients, no grains or other fillers
The cat's unique needs
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that is essential for cats, as they do not produce sufficient quantities in their bodies themselves. They must therefore obtain it through the food they eat. Taurine is found only in meat and offal, not in plant material. Therefore, a meat-based diet is the best source of taurine for a cat. Taurine deficiency can lead to blindness, heart problems and impaired fertility.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin found in two main forms; retinol, which is the active form of vitamin A, and carotenoids, which are provitamins that can be converted into the active form of vitamin A. The cat, however, lacks the enzymes to break down plant-produced carotenoids, and must therefore eat animal-derived foods that are themselves rich in the active form of vitamin A.
Niacin (vitamin B₃)
Niacin is an essential vitamin for the cat, as it cannot use the amino acid tryptophan to synthesise the vitamin itself in the way the dog can. The cat is therefore dependent on getting niacin directly from its feed. In plant material, niacin is often bound in complex compounds that have low bioavailability for the cat. This means that they cannot utilise this form efficiently, and therefore do not get enough of the vitamin from plant foods alone. Animal sources such as meat and offal contain free, readily available niacin, and are therefore crucial for meeting the cat's requirements.
Arginine
Cats are highly sensitive to low levels of the amino acid arginine. Arginine is essential for them because it takes part in the urea cycle, which removes toxic ammonia from the body following the breakdown of protein. Even small deficiencies can lead to a buildup of ammonia in the blood, which can cause poisoning and damage to the body. Arginine is found abundantly in animal protein sources, such as meat and offal, whereas plant proteins often contain less and less available arginine. This is an important reason why a cat's diet should be based on meat and offal, in order to ensure a sufficient intake of arginine.
Arachidonic acid
Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid for cats because they lack the enzyme activity required to convert the plant fat linoleic acid into sufficient amounts of arachidonic acid. Without enough arachidonic acid, important physiological processes can be affected. Therefore, the cat must get arachidonic acid directly through its diet. Animal products such as meat and offal are natural, rich sources of arachidonic acid, ensuring that the cat gets sufficient amounts to maintain normal health and function.
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