Regular visitors to the site may have already seen the Ultimate Nutrition Guide For Dogs blog we published recently, with calls from cat owners for us to share a feline version. Well, our Axel’s community have asked, and we have responded, pulling together this latest blog focusing on our ‘feline’ rather than ‘canine’ companions.
Just like us, cats rely on food as a source of fuel to support their overall health and wellbeing. Often when it comes to cat food, more emphasis is placed on palatability (as cats are notoriously fussy eaters), however what’s ‘in’ their food is equally, if not more important. With that in mind, this blog explores the importance of nutrition and why understanding your cat’s dietary needs is key to their overall health and happiness.
Why Is Nutrition Important?
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they need to consume meat to survive. Unlike omnivores (like humans or dogs), cats have evolved to rely on animal-based proteins for their primary nutrition. Unlike us, their bodies are designed to metabolise proteins and fats more efficiently than carbohydrates.
With that in mind, it’s therefore crucial to provide them with a diet rich in high-quality animal proteins, fats, and other essential nutrients to meet their unique dietary needs. It is worth noting however that each cat’s nutritional needs could vary depending on factors such as breed, age, size and activity levels. Hold that thought though, there’ll be more on that later.
Just like their canine counterparts, cats use the nutrients in their food to perform vital bodily functions, including maintaining cell structures, repairing tissues, generating energy and fighting off infections. It may seem really obvious, but good nutrition will help to support these processes, whereas poor nutrition could contribute to a variety of different health problems developing.

Key Nutrients in a Cat’s Diet
To fully understand how nutrition impacts your cat’s health, it's important to break down the key components of a healthy feline diet:
1. Proteins: Cats require significantly more protein than other animals. In fact, cats need a minimum of 20-30% of their daily diet to come from high-quality protein sources. Proteins are crucial for tissue repair, muscle growth, and overall body function.
Just like dogs, cats need high-quality proteins in their diet to ensure healthy growth and development, particularly when they are younger. Just like their canine counterparts, these proteins are broken down into amino acids, which are absorbed by their bodily tissues and used to perform a range of essential functions.
2. Fats: Fats are another critical component of a cat's diet, as they are a concentrated energy source, providing your cat with energy throughout the day. Essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6 can also help support your cat’s coat quality, brain development and skin health, keeping them looking and feeling their best.
For many animals, carbohydrates are important sources of energy, however this is less true for cats. Cats have evolved to get most of their energy from proteins and fats, meaning that even though cats can digest small amounts of carbs and use them for energy, they are not a crucial part of their diet.
3. Taurine: Taurine is essential for cats and can only be found in animal tissues (hence the ‘obligate carnivores’ statement earlier). Taurine is something that your cat cannot produce themselves, meaning that they need to get it from the food they consume. Taurine supports heart, eye and reproductive health, making it a crucial part of any cat’s diet.
If a cat doesn’t consume enough Taurine they can become deficient in it, causing a range of different health problems. Research suggests that a taurine deficiency can cause retina degeneration which leads to blindness. It can also stunt your cat’s growth and affect their ability to reproduce. Some research even suggests that there is a link between Taurine deficiency and heart issues developing. In summary, Taurine is super-important for your cat’s overall health and wellbeing.

4. Vitamins and Minerals: One area where canine and feline diets don’t differ is their need for Vitamins and Minerals. Vitamins and Minerals are essential for a range of bodily functions, including maintaining bone health, immune support, and proper nerve function.
As mentioned in the Ultimate Nutrition Guide For Dogs, minerals like Calcium and Phosphorus are important for bone and tooth health, whilst Vitamins A and E play key roles in skin and coat health. Minerals like Zinc and Magnesium on the other hand are vital for enzymatic processes and muscle function.
5. Water: Cats are notoriously fussy when it comes to most things, including drinking water. Every living cell in your cat’s body needs water to function properly. Water helps with digestion, regulating body temperature, supporting organ function and flushing toxins out of the body. It also helps to lubricate joints and transport nutrients around the body.
Most cat owners will be well aware of the struggle of getting the cats to drink enough water throughout the day. One popular tip is placing several water bowls around the house (ideally in quiet areas), ensuring that that the water is fresh, cool, and free of any dust or debris (heaven forbid!). It’s also important not to move these bowls, as cats like routine and once they get used to something, they don’t like change.
If your cat isn’t drinking enough water, one simpler solution could be to add a Happy Bone to their food, giving them all the benefits of bone broth, whilst also helping to keep them hydrated. Happy Bones are over 90% water, so they can add a delicious and nutritious splash of hydration to your pet’s mealtime. They’re also packed with Taurine, so they help to kill two birds with one bone!
Different Life Stages
Just like their canine counterparts, a cat’s nutritional requirements will evolve as they get older. A diet that works well for a kitten won’t necessarily be appropriate for an older cat for example.
Early Development and Growth
Kittens are particularly sensitive to the effects of nutrition. From the moment they’re born, nutrition plays a key part in their growth and development. Kittens have higher energy needs than adult cats, meaning that they require more fuel to support the rapid pace at which their bodies are developing.
A kitten’s first source of nutrition is their mother’s milk, which is rich in both protein and fat, helping to give them a strong start in life. If the mother isn’t available or if the kitten is orphaned, a specially formulated kitten milk replacement is often used, containing all the essential nutrients they need during this crucial early stage in their life.
As kittens grow, transitioning them onto solid food that meets their high-energy demands is super-important. It’s critical to ensure the proper balance of nutrients is provided to support their rapid growth and development.
This is also key to a kitten’s longer-term health, as these early stages are when their bones, joints, teeth, skin and organs are all developing. A lack of proper nutrition during these early stages can lead to unwanted health complications such as stunted growth, bone deformities, and weakened immune systems.

Adult Cats and Their Nutritional Needs
As cats move into adulthood, their nutritional needs will undoubtedly change. Whilst they will still need a protein-rich diet, their calorie requirements may decrease depending on their activity level. This is why it’s important to adjust your cat’s diet if they start to become less active, therefore burning off less calories.
Just like us humans, most cats will become less active as they get older, which unfortunately increases the risk of obesity. Obesity is one of the most common issues affecting cats in the UK, often caused by overfeeding. Portion control is key here, and whilst you might feel mean by giving them less, you’re doing them a massive favour in the long run.
Feeding your cat too much food or choosing the wrong type of food (such as low-quality kibble filled with empty calories) can be major contributors to unwanted weight gain. Obesity can then lead to joint problems, diabetes, and heart disease developing, which is why it’s important to keep your feline friend at an optimal weight at all times.
Regardless of weight, all cats need to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients in their diet throughout adulthood, helping to prevent common age-related issues such as dental disease, urinary tract infections, and kidney problems.
Whilst a nutrient-rich balanced diet won’t guarantee your cat never develops any of these unwanted health conditions, it undoubtedly provides them with the best platform to help them live a longer, healthier and happier life.
Where Does Axel’s Elixir Come In?
Our unique bone broth recipe is packed with nutrients and compounds (including Taurine!) to support healthy joints, digestion and immune health, making Happy Bones the perfect addition to your cat’s diet.
- Healthy Joints - Collagen supports healthy ligaments, tendons & muscles.
- Digestive Support - Promotes gut health, soothing & protecting digestive tract.
- Immune Support - Boosts the immune system and helps prevent illness.
- Source of Taurine – Provides essential amino acids to maintain optimal health.
Fortified with natural herbs and seaweeds, our Happy Bones are loved by pet owners (and their pets!) across the UK, with the reviews speaking for themselves.
- Kelp - packed with essential vitamins (A, B, C, E, and K), minerals (including iodine, calcium, magnesium and iron) and antioxidants. It supports thyroid function, aids digestion and improves skin and coat condition.
- Nettle - nutrient-rich herb containing iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, D, and K. It helps flush toxins from the body and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it excellent for cats with allergies, arthritis or skin conditions.
- Algae - a nutritional powerhouse rich in protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins (B12 and E) and chlorophyll. Boosts the immune system, improves digestion, supports cardiovascular health and helps detoxify the body.
- Parsley - a highly nutritious herb containing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and flavonoids to support your cat’s immune system.
Conclusion
It’s clear that nutrition plays a pivotal role in a cat’s overall health and wellbeing, helping to minimise the risk of health issues developing as they need to grow and develop from kittenhood through to their senior years. Investing in high-quality cat food is undoubtedly a good start, supplementing your pet’s diet (where needed) to ensure that they’re getting all the essential vitamins and minerals they need to thrive.
We’ve also highlighted how Taurine deficiency and obesity are two of the most common diet-related health issues in cats, meaning that feeding the right food in the right quantities is crucial. Finally, we have also identified the need to keep your cat well hydrated. Keeping your cat hydrated will help prevent dental issues, urinary tract infections and kidney disease developing, again demonstrating the importance of a well-balanced diet in your cat’s overall health and wellbeing.
For more helpful advice and guidance, check out our Blog Hub or contact us directly by emailing hello@axelselixir.com and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.