Have you ever wondered why your cat is more interested in chasing a bird than nibbling on a carrot? While many animals can thrive on a variety of foods, cats have evolved with a unique digestive system and specific nutritional needs. This is why the food in their bowl is more important than you might think.
What Is the Difference Between a Carnivore and an Omnivore?
First, let’s do a quick biology lesson. Carnivores are animals that primarily eat the meat of other animals. They have specific physiological and anatomical adaptations that enable them to efficiently obtain and digest meat. Relative to omnivores, carnivores generally have a shorter digestive tract that allows for rapid digestion and absorption of nutrients from animal flesh. In contrast, omnivores are animals that have adapted to eating both plants and animals. Omnivores have evolved to thrive on diverse diets, using their flexible digestive systems to process various food types.
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores
As a species, cats are obligate carnivores (also known as strict carnivores). In simple terms, this means that cats are meat-eaters whose bodies are biologically designed to depend on nutrients found primarily in animal-based foods. They have very specific nutrient needs, and some of those needs can’t be satisfied by plants or plant products only.
Can Cats Be Vegan?
No, cats have specific nutritional requirements that are essential for their health, which sets them apart from humans and some other animals. Some pet owners may want to switch their meat-eating companions to a vegetarian or vegan diet to align with their own values, but cats are biologically designed to thrive on nutrients primarily found in animal-based foods.
Additionally, cats have a reduced ability to metabolize large amounts of carbohydrates compared to omnivores. As a result, it is difficult to formulate a vegan or plant-based diet that meets a cat’s specific nutritional needs.
As obligate carnivores, cats cannot obtain all the essential nutrients they require from plant sources. They have a high protein requirement and need key nutrients from their diet, including:
- Taurine
- Vitamin A
- Arginine
- Arachidonic acid
If cats do not receive adequate amounts of these nutrients, they can develop severe health issues affecting their heart, vision, immune system and overall well-being.
Preformed Taurine and Vitamin A Is Essential for Cats
Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, meaning that it must be provided in the diet. Unlike other mammals who can make enough taurine to meet their needs, cats cannot; they must get taurine from food. Taurine is critical for reproduction in queens (female cats) and proper fat digestion, normal heart muscle function and vision in all cats.
Unlike dogs and people, cats can’t make active vitamin A (retinol) from plant precursors such as beta-carotene. Cats must obtain preformed vitamin A from their diet, which is found in animal and fish tissues such as liver and in eggs. A vitamin A supplement can also be added to pet foods during manufacture.
Cats Need More Arginine Than Other Species
Arginine is an essential amino acid used during normal protein production and is essential for the conversion of ammonia (from amino acid breakdown) to urea for elimination in urine. Cats are very sensitive to a lack of arginine in their diet, which can result in a potentially life-threatening issue. The good news is that arginine is readily supplied by most of the animal proteins and some plant-based ingredients used to make cat foods.
Cats Require Dietary Arachidonic Acid
Cats need dietary arachidonic acid, a long-chain omega-6 fatty acid, because they lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme that converts linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is typically found in animal fat, with little to no arachidonic acid present in plant oils and seeds.
Cats Have a High Protein Requirement
Compared to other species, cats have a high dietary requirement for protein. One reason for this is that cats use a greater percentage of protein to maintain body tissues than other species. Additionally, the liver enzymes responsible for protein breakdown are always “on” and run at a high rate. To maintain adequate body protein and keep pace with this natural enzyme activity, cats need to consistently eat a high-protein diet.
Most commercially prepared pet foods contain protein from a combination of animal and plant sources to optimize amino acid balance, digestibility and other nutritional characteristics. Since the amino acid content of different ingredients varies, protein sources are frequently combined so the amino acids in one protein ingredient complement the amino acids in another.
Cats’ unique requirements for preformed taurine, vitamin A and arachidonic acid, along with greater protein and arginine content, are best met by providing a complete food that contains all the nutrients and essential vitamins they need for a balanced diet.
Can Cats Eat Raw Meat?
Yes, cats can eat raw meat. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all recommend not feeding cats raw meat.
Feeding your cat raw meat carries several risks, including exposure to harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli, as well as potential parasites. For this reason, it is generally advised against feeding raw meat to cats, as it poses serious health risks for both the cats and the pet parents who handle the food. Kittens and senior cats with compromised immune systems are at an even higher risk of possible illness.
Additionally, cats require a balanced diet that may not be achieved through a homemade raw diet. It’s essential to ensure they receive specific vitamins and minerals, as deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to health issues.
What Do Cats Eat in the Wild?
The diet for wild cats varies depending on their location and what prey is available. They are opportunistic hunters that prey on what is in abundance, but they can eat mice, squirrels, small rabbits, moles, frogs, small birds, fish, lizards, snakes and insects. Wild cats spend a significant amount of their time hunting and will eat most of their prey, including organ meat, muscle and some bones. The organs contain nutrients like taurine, vitamin A and other minerals they require to stay healthy.
Cats are biologically adapted to eat raw meat. Their jaws have very limited side-to-side movement and are adapted for gripping and tearing flesh rather than chewing like herbivores who survive on plant matter. They also have powerful jaw muscles and sharp teeth designed for ripping meat, crushing small bones and consuming their prey efficiently.
As cat owners, understanding that cats are obligate carnivores helps make better choices for their health and well-being. Their bodies are uniquely designed to thrive on nutrients found primarily in animal-based proteins, making a meat-focused diet essential rather than optional. By meeting their nutritional needs, you can help your feline companion live healthier, happier and longer lives. If you have questions or concerns about your cat’s dietary needs, speak with your veterinarian.
