Why Is Nutrition Important to Skin and Coat Health?
Nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals play important roles in the skin and coat health of cats. Skin and hair are used to prevent things (such as water or heat) from leaving, or things (such as viruses and bacteria) from entering the body.
The hair coat is composed almost entirely of protein. If your cat's diet doesn't contain enough quality protein, her hair may fall out or become dry, weak, and brittle.
Skin is made up of flat cells tightly packed together. These cells have tough membranes that are composed of proteins and fats. Without proper nutrients, cell membranes weaken, allowing water to escape and bacteria and viruses to enter more easily.
Essential Amino Acids and Fatty Acids
Proteins are found in both animal-based and plant-based ingredients. Animal-based proteins contain all of the essential amino acids cats need, whereas plant-based proteins may contain only some. Cats need the nutrients in animal-based proteins for the best of health.
Fats also can be found in both animal-based and plant-based ingredients, and are incorporated into skin cells as fatty acids. There are two essential fatty acids for skin and coat health. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid maintain skin and coat condition in cats. Without them, cats may experience a dull, dry coat, hair loss, greasy skin, and increased risk of skin inflammation. Both of these are found in animal tissues such as chicken fat, whereas vegetable oils such as corn and soybean are rich in linoleic acid but do not contain arachidonic acid. Omega-3 fatty acids, another type of fats, are found in vitamin-rich fish oils. IAMS™ Company research has found that the fatty acids in fish oils help promote excellent skin and coat health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential for the development of healthy skin and coat. The best way to provide them is through a complete and balanced diet rather than through supplements.
Vitamin or Mineral Important for skin and coat health
Vitamin A Necessary for growth and repair of skin
Vitamin E Protects skin cells from oxidant damage
Vitamin C Helps heal wounds
Biotin Aids in the utilization of protein
Riboflavin (B2) Necessary for fat and protein metabolism
Zinc Necessary for fat and protein metabolism
Copper Involved in tissue, pigment, and protein synthesis
Changes in Coat Condition
Diet is often believed to be a factor when changes in skin and coat condition occur. The most common causes, however, are changes in season and life stage. As cold weather approaches, most cats grow a thick coat to help keep heat in and cold air out. As the weather begins to warm up, they shed their thick, heavy coat.
Most kittens are born with soft, fuzzy hair, but as they age, a coarser coat grows. Pregnant and nursing cats may also experience a change in coat condition or hair loss.'
Why Is Nutrition Important to Skin and Coat Health?
Nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals play important roles in the skin and coat health of cats. Skin and hair are used to prevent things (such as water or heat) from leaving, or things (such as viruses and bacteria) from entering the body.
The hair coat is composed almost entirely of protein. If your cat's diet doesn't contain enough quality protein, her hair may fall out or become dry, weak, and brittle.
Skin is made up of flat cells tightly packed together. These cells have tough membranes that are composed of proteins and fats. Without proper nutrients, cell membranes weaken, allowing water to escape and bacteria and viruses to enter more easily.
Essential Amino Acids and Fatty Acids
Proteins are found in both animal-based and plant-based ingredients. Animal-based proteins contain all of the essential amino acids cats need, whereas plant-based proteins may contain only some. Cats need the nutrients in animal-based proteins for the best of health.
Fats also can be found in both animal-based and plant-based ingredients, and are incorporated into skin cells as fatty acids. There are two essential fatty acids for skin and coat health. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid maintain skin and coat condition in cats. Without them, cats may experience a dull, dry coat, hair loss, greasy skin, and increased risk of skin inflammation. Both of these are found in animal tissues such as chicken fat, whereas vegetable oils such as corn and soybean are rich in linoleic acid but do not contain arachidonic acid. Omega-3 fatty acids, another type of fats, are found in vitamin-rich fish oils. IAMS® Company research has found that the fatty acids in fish oils help promote excellent skin and coat health.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential for the development of healthy skin and coat. The best way to provide them is through a complete and balanced diet rather than through supplements.
| Vitamin or Mineral | Important for skin and coat health |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Necessary for growth and repair of skin |
| Vitamin E | Protects skin cells from oxidant damage |
| Vitamin C | Helps heal wounds |
| Biotin | Aids in the utilization of protein |
| Riboflavin (B2) | Necessary for fat and protein metabolism |
| Zinc | Necessary for fat and protein metabolism |
| Copper | Involved in tissue, pigment, and protein synthesis |
Changes in Coat Condition
Diet is often believed to be a factor when changes in skin and coat condition occur. The most common causes, however, are changes in season and life stage. As cold weather approaches, most cats grow a thick coat to help keep heat in and cold air out. As the weather begins to warm up, they shed their thick, heavy coat.
Most kittens are born with soft, fuzzy hair, but as they age, a coarser coat grows. Pregnant and nursing cats may also experience a change in coat condition or hair loss.
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L’alimentation de votre chaton nouveau-né change rapidement au cours des six premiers mois. Vous trouverez ci-dessous un aperçu global des étapes de développement importantes de votre chaton. Ces renseignements vous aideront à déterminer ce que le nouveau membre de votre famille peut manger et la façon dont vous devriez lui servir son repas.
Pourquoi est-ce si important de comprendre les étapes du développement de mon chaton?En raison des différences entre les diverses races et de la personnalité même de votre animal, il est impossible de prédire avec exactitude le moment où votre chaton franchit les étapes de sa croissance et de son développement. Toutefois, en utilisant ces étapes comme guide pour une croissance saine, vous pourrez facilement repérer rapidement tout problème de développement et, avec un peu de chance, éviter toute complication.
Quelles sont certaines des étapes habituelles du développement d’un chaton?Age Milestone De 7 à 10 jours Le chaton commence à uriner et à déféquer par lui-même. De 10 à 18 jours Le chaton tente de se lever.
Le chaton double son poids de sa naissance au quatorzième jour environ.
Les yeux du chaton commencent à s’ouvrir.
Les oreilles du chaton commencent à entendre.De 18 à 21 jours Le chaton entend et réagit aux sons.
Le chaton commence à marcher.Trois semaines Le chaton commence à émettre des sons réactifs.
Début du processus de sevrage pour les chatons orphelins.
Apparition des dents de lait (dents de bébé).Quatre semaines Début du processus de sevrage pour les chatons allaités par la mère. De 3 à 6 mois Apparition des dents adultes. Sevrer un chaton avec la nourriture pour chatons IAMSMC
- Lorsque votre chaton a environ 4 semaines, présentez-lui un bol peu profond contenant un peu d’eau. La plupart des chatons vont jouer avec l’eau. Cependant, après quatre ou cinq jours, ils commenceront à développer leur habileté à boire. Certains chatons ont besoin de plus de temps que d’autres pour acquérir cette habileté, alors ne vous découragez pas si votre compagnon ne réagit pas immédiatement à cet exercice.
- Ajoutez un peu d’eau à la nourriture sèche pour chatons IAMSMC Pâté avec poulet délicieux IAMSMC Kitten Premium Pate with Gourmet Chicken Veillez à ce qu’il ait toujours un bol d’eau propre distinct à sa disposition.
- Augmentez progressivement la quantité de nourriture molle tout en diminuant peu à peu la quantité d’eau dans le mélange, jusqu’à ce que votre chaton ne mange que la nourriture molle.
- Répétez ces étapes en mélangeant la nourriture sèche pour chatons IAMSMC, comme la nourriture IAMSMC ProActive HealthMC Chaton IAMSMC ProActive HealthMC Kitten à sa nourriture humide, puis augmentez peu à peu la part de nourriture sèche tout en diminuant la quantité de nourriture humide jusqu’à ce que la transition soit terminée.
Le processus en entier devrait prendre environ trois semaines.
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