Phosphorus, Protein, Sodium and Fat Levels??

Hi there -

I am looking for some more specific information here, if possible... I understand the ingredients formulation, etc., but was wondering a ballpark of safe levels of Phosphorus, Protein, Sodium and Fat levels in order to avoid the most common diseases, such UTIs/Crystals/CRF.
I am aware that age and gender make a difference; does anybody here have the optimum levels for each age group,divided by gender?
Thanks!!

Taken from The Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, which got this info from the National Research Councils Nutrient Requirements for Cats.

(this is not specific to preventing diseases, sex..and meant for Adult cats)

Nutrient Requirements of Adult Cats for Maintenance

Listed in the order of Nutrient(amount per kg of dry matter food), Minimal requirement and recommeded allowance.

Phosphorus (g) 1.4........2.6
Crude Protein 160........200
Sodium(mg) 650........680
Total Fat (g): no listing for minimal......adequate intake and recommended are listed at 90.....safe upper limit listed at 330

Hope that helps

I aim for
Calcium under 1%
Phosphorus under .9%
Protein for a cat under 1 eating dry food over 32 %( AFFCO is 26% I think)

Fat over 18%

WHY I have active cats two with ph/ uti issue s hence the ca phos being on the lower end ...

I will see if I can find the mereck book protocol as that is like a vets main book

Here it is, only in % rather than mg/g

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/tmgn47.htm

and

on nutritional requirements and related diseases:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/182902.htm

Originally Posted by Snake_Lady

Here it is, only in % rather than mg/g

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/tmgn47.htm

and

on nutritional requirements and related diseases:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/182902.htm

Click to expand...

Thank you Chris ... I like % better

Kinda interesting all have minimums but few have maximums

How are these numbers for healthy cats? Good, low, high?


Crude Protein (min.)\t40.0%
Crude Fat (min.)\t20.0%
Calcium (min.)\t1.5%
Calcium (max.)\t1.7%
Phosphorus (min.)\t1.4%
Phosphorus (max.)\t1.6%
pH\t5.0
Taurine (min.)\t0.5%
Sodium\t0.4%
Potassium\t0.65%

Originally Posted by carolinalima

How are these numbers for healthy cats? Good, low, high?


Crude Protein (min.)\t40.0%
Crude Fat (min.)\t20.0%
Calcium (min.)\t1.5%
Calcium (max.)\t1.7%
Phosphorus (min.)\t1.4%
Phosphorus (max.)\t1.6%
pH\t5.0
Taurine (min.)\t0.5%
Sodium\t0.4%
Potassium\t0.65%

Click to expand...

Looks good to me IMHO
these are from the merck link
here is the mineral section...
Kitten is the first group and adult is the second.. these are minimums


Minerals\t \t \t
Calcium (%)\t1.0\t0.6\t
Phosphorus (%)\t0.8\t0.5\t
Potassium (%)\t0.6\t0.6\t
Sodium (%)\t0.2\t0.2


Protein (%)\t30.0\t26.0
fat Fat (%)\t9.0\t9.0


this is interesting on dry and canned and taurine

Taurine (extruded, %)\t0.10\t0.10\t
Taurine (canned, %)\t0.20\t0.20

I saw the Merk info, but still had questions as it doesn't show the maximums, just the minimums...
The ones you highlighted in yellow - In your opinion are too high?

Originally Posted by carolinalima

I saw the Merk info, but still had questions as it doesn't show the maximums, just the minimums...
The ones you highlighted in yellow - In your opinion are too high?

Click to expand...

I IMHO do not like that high ... but realize I am biased from two current ph /uti issues and a long battle with a CRF cat ... My vet said that amount is often okay for some and too high for other s ( hence the orange = okay for some but not for others

Potassium is perfect via the minimum but since sodium is double it makes me pause and think