Editing Kitten (section)

==== Protein ====
Cats are natural [[carnivore]]s and require high amounts of protein in the diet. Kittens are undergoing growth and require high amounts of protein to provide essential amino acids that enable the growth of tissues and muscles.<ref name="petnutritiontext" /> It is recommended that kittens consume a diet containing approximately 30% protein, on a dry matter basis, for proper growth.<ref>{{Cite journal |author1-last=Rogers |author1-first=Quinton |author2-last=Morris |author2-first=James |date=April 1979 |title=Essentiality of Amino Acids for the Growing Kitten |journal=Journal of Nutrition |volume=109 |issue=4 |pages=718–723 |doi=10.1093/jn/109.4.718 |pmid=430271}}</ref>

[[Taurine]] is an essential amino acid found only in animal tissue; the mother cat cannot produce enough of it for her kittens.<ref name=":3">Sturman, J. A., Moretz, R. C., French, J. H., & Wisniewski, H. M. (1985). Postnatal taurine deficiency in the kitten results in a persistence of the cerebellar external granule cell layer: correction by taurine feeding. ''Journal of Neuroscience Research'', ''13''(4), 521-528.</ref> As it is an indispensable amino acid, it must be provided exogenously through the diet at 10&nbsp;mg per kg of bodyweight, each day.<ref>Burger, I. H., & Barnett, K. C. (1982). The taurine requirement of the adult cat. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 23(9), 533-537.</ref> Kittens deprived of taurine can experience poor growth<ref name=":3" /> and can result in retinal degeneration in cats.<ref>Markwell, P. J., & Earle, K. E. (1995). Taurine: an essential nutrient for the cat. A brief review of the biochemistry of its requirement and the clinical consequences of deficiency. ''Nutrition research'', ''15''(1), 53-58.</ref>