Harlan Laboratories Global Cat Diet is specifically formulated to provide the proper balance of all known nutrients considered essential for growth, maintenance, and reproduction of research cats.
The diet provides uniform nutrition and is a fixed-formula diet designed to minimize the nutrient variances which otherwise could occur if the ingredient composition of a diet were altered from one batch to the next. Unlike other cat foods, it does not contain meat substitutes, artificial flavorings, excessive grains, chemical colorings, or fillers.
Cats have unusual nutritional requirements. They cannot convert tryptophan to niacin effectively, cannot convert beta carotene to vitamin A, nor can cats desaturate linoleic acid. They require an elevated level of protein, and the amino acid taurine is needed to prevent ocular lesions and dilated cardiomyopathy. Teklad Global Cat Diet is designed to meet these special needs. In addition, it is formulated to be low in magnesium and ash, and high in meat protein to produce an acidic urine, which reduces the risk of feline urinary syndrome.
Shelf Life - The recommended shelf life of Teklad Global Cat Diet is 6 months from the date of manufacture in North America and 9 months in Europe (due to differences in local practices and regulatory oversight). However, shelf life may be affected by storage conditions. To achieve optimum shelf life, store the diets in a cool, dry, pest-free area away from hazardous materials.
Feeding Directions - Teklad Laboratory Cat Diet is a complete diet for cats and kittens. Ad libitum access to diet should be provided at all times. Cats normally consume small portions of food throughout the day, and they have a normal propensity to consume minimal amounts of water. Fresh water always should be available to each animal.