In the right measure: Calcium and phosphorus in cat food

Eggshells lying in and around a basket on a white plate

At CAT'S LOVE, we not only ensure that the food is grain-free and preservatives are not used, but also that the composition of the food is correct. Made in Styria, with preferably regional raw materials and ingredients selected with love & mind - that is our recipe for success.

Low-quality, often very cheap, cat food often contains cheap cereals, which can be dangerous especially in case of allergies, and often wrong ratios of minerals and trace elements. For cats in particular, it is important to pay attention to the right amount of calcium and phosphorus in the food, as these two ingredients can significantly impair the function of the kidneys. That's why we stick to the amount recommended by experts for adult cats of around 0.6 grams of calcium and 0.5 grams of phosphorus per 100 grams of food - which corresponds to a ratio of 1.2 to 1. Because with these minerals, it is not only the respective quantity that counts, but especially the ratio to each other. For kittens, a slightly different ratio of 1.5 applies: 1 - Kittens need more calcium in relation to phosphorus for healthy growth. The combination of the two is important at all ages; one substance cannot do without the other.

For teeth and bones

Calcium is the main component of your cat's bones and teeth, so it is needed for a healthy diet. Calcium ensures that the cells in your pet's body react to the stimulation of hormones, for example. If the cat receives too little calcium, bound calcium is released from the bones to meet the natural requirement. The consequences can be bone fractures, inflammation of the pancreas or even kidney failure.

Phosphorus is the second most important component of teeth and bones and ensures cell health, energy use and also fatty acid transport. Phosphorus from animal sources - i.e. mainly meat - can be better utilised than that from plant sources. But be careful: Too high a phosphorus concentration causes severe kidney damage. If your cat already has kidney problems, it is important to keep the phosphorus level in the food low.

Studies and analyses of cat food show that low-quality cat food contains too high a concentration of calcium and phosphorus. This damages the cat's kidneys in the long-term and makes it chronically ill.

Different sources

Natural sources of calcium and phosphorus for cats are bone pieces of hunted prey. However, if your cat is purely a house cat, its needs must be met elsewhere. Again, the ratio of approx. 1.15 (calcium) to 1 (phosphorus) applies. When feeding raw, the requirement can be covered by chicken wings or necks, for example. Other sources of calcium and phosphorus are bone meal (from beef or horse), high-quality eggshell powder from organic sources or algal lime, but of course the amount of calcium can also be covered by a high-quality mineral mix.

If the feed already contains high-quality muscle meat, which naturally has a higher phosphorus content, hardly any more phosphorus needs to be added. In principle, the same applies to calcium as to phosphorus: Your cat's organism can absorb and process natural food much better than chemically produced food.

Tip: With our high-quality CAT'S LOVE cat food you can be sure that we pay close attention to the composition of the food for your cat. If you are feeding BARF, please pay special attention to the correct administration of bone parts and other foods containing phosphorus. So that your cat stays healthy and vital for a long time!