How Much Protein Does My Cat Need?

Knowing about your cat's nutritional needs is important when picking food for your fur baby. As obligate carnivores, cats need diets that consist almost entirely of meat. As a result, your feline friend requires higher protein levels in their food than dogs. 

Usually, you won't have to worry about your cat getting enough protein from their food. Commercial cat foods meet nutritional guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and contain healthy protein levels for cats. 

Protein deficiencies in cats can be serious, affecting their muscle mass, development, and immunity. Too much protein can exacerbate health issues, especially kidney disease. 

So, how much protein does a cat need? And what are the health benefits of protein for cats? Scroll down to learn about your kitty's protein requirements, the best protein sources, the best high-protein cat foods, and more!

Here's a breakdown of the minimum crude protein levels for cat foods recommended by the AAFCO and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). 

Remember: all cats are different, and protein amounts may differ depending on your feline friend's needs. As a general rule, protein should comprise over 50% of a cat's daily calorie intake. Consult a vet for more info on your cat's recommended protein intake. 

Here's how much protein your cat needs as dry matter:

• Kittens and nursing/pregnant cats: 30% crude protein minimum
• Adult cats: 26% crude protein minimum
• Senior cats: 30% crude protein minimum

Check the guaranteed analysis printed on the packaging when shopping for cat food. It states how much protein and other nutrients a product contains. You should also find an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement that states the recommended age group.

What factors affect how much protein my cat needs?

• Age: Kittens and pregnant/nursing cats need more protein to support the energy levels required for rapid development and growth. Senior cats need more protein to maintain muscle mass as their digestive systems often absorb less nutrients. 

• Breed and size: While not as important for cats as dogs, breed and size can affect a cat's protein intake. Maine Coons, one of the largest domestic cat breeds, can require marginally more protein to support growth and maintain muscle mass. 

• Activity levels: Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat may affect your cat's protein intake. Cat foods for indoor cats tend to have slightly lower protein levels than outdoor cat foods as outdoor cats need more muscle support. 

• Health conditions: Certain health conditions can affect a cat's protein needs. For example, cats with kidney disease usually require low-protein diets.

Felines have different nutritional needs to canines. They need 41 essential nutrients, four more than dogs. Cats require 20 essential and non-essential amino acids, 11 of which come from their diets. Amino acids provide many health benefits, from heart function to metabolic support. Essential amino acids for cats found in protein are:

• Arginine
• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Taurine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of protein for cats. 

Promotes skin and coat health

Around 95% of a cat's hair is protein, and 25% to 30% of a cat's daily protein intake goes to maintaining and renewing a cat's skin and coat. Protein-deficient cats have thinner, supple skin, making them more prone to cuts and injuries. 

Leucine and lysine are two primary amino acids supporting skin and coat health in cats. Salmon, beef, poultry, and eggs contain these amino acids. 

Encourages muscle development

A cat's body turns protein into amino acids to make new proteins that support muscle growth. A protein-deficient cat’s body will break down its muscle mass to replace essential amino acids. 

Leucine and lysine are building blocks for muscle development. Muscle meats, beef, fish, and eggs contain taurine, which helps strengthen muscles. Valine aids tissue repair and muscle growth. Meats like poultry, beef, and lamb are good sources of valine. 

Aids immune function

Protein forms the basis for enzymes, which are essential for disease prevention and immunity. Arginine, present in poultry and dairy products, acts as an immunomodulator, ensuring a cat's immune system is working effectively. Additionally, histidine metabolizes into histamines, which help a cat's body respond to allergens. 

Provides energy

Protein is the primary energy source for cats. While cats can break down carbohydrates into glucose for energy, it's not an essential nutrient. Like with dog food, the AAFCO nutrient profiles do not include a minimum carbohydrate intake requirement. 

Fats are a secondary energy source and carry essential nutrients like vitamins D, E, K and linoleic acid. 

Provides support to senior cats

Higher protein levels are necessary for older cats, as they have more trouble absorbing nutrients and maintaining lean muscle mass. It's worth noting that around 30% to 40% of cats over 10 years old suffer from chronic kidney disease and may require lower protein levels to reduce their kidneys' workload and/or a higher quality protein source.

A cat's diet should consist almost entirely of meat. That said, some cat foods include plant-based protein as secondary amino acid sources. Let's take a look at the best protein sources for cats. 

Animal sources of protein for cats

Chicken, fish, and lamb are some of the best meats for cats, as they're high-quality proteins with lower fat levels. 

Here's a list of the best and most common animal-based protein sources for cats:

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Lamb
• Beef
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Mackerel
• Rabbit
• Venison
• Eggs

Plant sources of protein for cats

While cats don't need plant-based proteins in their diets, a 2020 study suggests that including plant-based protein in cat food doesn't reduce digestibility and can complement animal-based protein as an amino acid source. 

Here are some examples of plant-based proteins sometimes included in cat food:

• Corn 
• Brown rice
• Soy
• Wheat
• Potatoes
• Peas

There's no clear definition of a high-protein cat food as many factors affect a cat's protein intake, such as age, activity levels, and health. Following the AAFCO nutrient profile guidelines, any cat food with around 40% crude protein or more would be considered high in protein.

But why pick a high protein diet for your cat? We've answered some purrticularly pressing questions about high-protein cat foods below!

What are the benefits of a high-protein diet for cats?

Adult cats that chow down on complete and balanced cat food will get all the amino acids and enzymes they need from regular cat food. That said, high-protein cat foods can give extra support to your fur-baby’s eyes, skin, coat, muscles, and more. Obese or diabetic cats will benefit most from a high-protein diet. 

Your vet may recommend feeding your overweight cat high-protein food as it’s lower in carbohydrates and fat, which contribute to weight gain. High-protein wet foods are best for overweight cats due to their high moisture levels, which help cats stay full and hydrated. Weight control can reduce the chances of cats developing arthritis and diabetes.

Diabetic cats benefit from high-protein cat foods as they need help controlling their blood sugar levels. High-protein foods are generally lower in carbohydrates, which alter blood sugar levels. Some cats that are on a long-term high-protein diet can go into diabetic remission. 

Can cats with sensitive stomachs tolerate high-protein diets?

Various issues can cause sensitive stomachs, including allergies and health conditions, so there's no saying for certain if your cat can tolerate a high-protein diet. Consult a veterinary professional if your cat is showing signs of a sensitive stomach. 

Most cats with sensitive stomachs should benefit from high-protein cat foods. High-protein cat foods tend to be higher quality, containing no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Plus, due to their high protein levels, they often have limited ingredients meaning there's less to upset your cat's stomach. 

Can cats have too much protein?

Your carnivorous cat can live almost exclusively on meat. Cats can have too much protein if they have certain medical conditions.

Cats with chronic kidney disease should sometimes avoid high-protein diets. Protein breaks down into amino acids, which break down into urea and is excreted by the kidneys. Chronic kidney disease reduces kidney function, so high-protein diets put added stress on the kidneys. Vets will often prescribe low-protein foods to cats with chronic kidney problems. However, we need to offer reasonable amounts of highly digestible protein, to maintain muscle mass.

High-protein cat foods

Considering switching your cat to a high-protein diet? Check out some of these pawsome brands with high-protein recipes:

• Blue Buffalo
• Raised Right
• Instinct
• Stella & Chewy's
• Orijen
• Open Farm
• Taste of the Wild
• Merrick
• Tiki Cat

Yes, cats can be allergic to specific proteins. According to a 2016 study, beef, fish, and chicken are the most common meat allergies for cats. Of the 78 cats with suspected allergies in this study, 18% were allergic to beef, 17% to fish, and 5% to chicken. 

Common symptoms of a food allergy in cats include:

• Skin inflammation and itching
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Excessive gas
• Eye/ear discharge
• Wheezing/coughing/sneezing

Speak with your vet if you suspect your cat has a protein allergy. If your vet thinks your cat has an allergy, they'll ask you to conduct a food trial. 

Your vet will suggest you remove different ingredients from your cat's diet to see if their symptoms clear up. If your cat recovers from their symptoms, they could be allergic to the eliminated ingredient. Your vet may also order an IgE blood test to check for allergies.

A protein deficiency is a potentially severe medical condition in cats that can cause various symptoms and medical concerns. Severe protein deficiencies in cats can cause everything from lackluster fur to heart problems. There's no genetic predisposition to protein deficiencies in cats. 

Common symptoms of a protein deficiency in cats include:

• Brittle and/or dull fur
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle loss
• Irregular heartbeat
• Eyesight problems

Consult your vet if your cat is showing symptoms of a protein deficiency.

A complete and balanced diet with the correct protein levels is the best way to ensure your cat is getting enough protein. Kittens, senior cats, and nursing cats may need higher protein levels than adult cats to support growth and maintain muscle mass. 

Talk to a veterinary professional if you think your cat needs more protein in their diet. It's unlikely your vet will give your cat anything supplemental. Instead, they'll recommend you feed your cat a high-protein cat food to boost their protein intake.

• Protein provides essential amino acids that support immune function, muscle gain, skin and coat health, heart health, and weight management.
• Cats require higher protein levels than dogs, with over 50% of their daily calories coming from protein. 
• Adult cat food should contain at least 26% crude protein as dry matter. 
• Foods for kittens and nursing/pregnant cats should contain at least 30% crude protein as dry matter.
• Senior cat food should contain anywhere from 30% to 45% crude protein as dry matter, depending on the cat's health. 
• Beef, fish, and chicken are the most common food allergies for cats.
• Excess protein isn't generally harmful to cats unless they have a health condition like chronic kidney disease. 
• Protein deficiencies can be severe for cats, leading to heart problems, digestive issues, and muscle loss.