Omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores are terms most people are familiar with. They describe how different animals are adapted to eat and process their food. But have you ever heard of the term obligate carnivore, and do you know what it means for our pets? Understanding what animals are designed to eat helps explain why some pets have very specific nutritional needs. In this article, we take a closer look at what obligate carnivores are, how they differ from other eaters, and why this matters when it comes to feeding our cats.
Obligate carnivore
Carnivores are animals that thrive on a meat based diet. Many animals fall into this category, including foxes, raccoons, striped skunks, martens, mongooses, lynxes , and river otters. However, not all carnivores are obligate carnivores.
The difference between a carnivore and an obligate carnivore is that an obligate carnivore must eat meat to survive. This is partly because they are unable to properly digest plant matter and extract sufficient nutrients from it. In addition, the specific nutrients required by obligate carnivores can only be found in animal tissue. Examples of obligate carnivores include cats, snakes, seals, eagles, and dolphins.
The metabolism of the obligate carnivore, and the nutritional needs of the cat.
One of the key characteristics of an obligate carnivore’s digestive tract is that it is relatively short. Raw meat is highly digestible, so there has been no evolutionary need for obligate carnivores to develop a long gastrointestinal tract. They have also not developed the same gut bacteria as plant eating animals. As a result, they are unable to properly digest vegetation or extract the nutrients they need from it.
Obligate carnivores also require a high amount of protein in their diet. Unlike humans, who mainly use carbohydrates as a source of energy, obligate carnivores rely on protein and fat for energy. If their diet does not contain enough protein, their bodies will begin breaking down muscle tissue and even organs to meet their energy needs. In addition to providing energy, protein also plays an important role in the absorption of fat soluble nutrients.
Because a cat’s body evolved around consuming prey animals, cats lack the ability to synthesise certain amino acids and vitamins, including taurine, vitamin A, niacin, and arginine. The prey animals eaten by their ancestors already contained these nutrients, making it unnecessary for cats to develop the ability to produce them themselves. While herbivores and omnivores can synthesise many of these amino acids and vitamins in their own bodies, obligate carnivores are fully dependent on meat to supply them. For example, humans can convert beta carotene into vitamin A, but cats cannot. Cats require vitamin A in its pre formed state in their diet. Without a consistent supply of these essential nutrients, cats may develop health issues such as skin irritation, hearing loss, liver problems, and heart disease.
Can my cat eat a vegan diet?
You should not feed a vegan diet to your cat, as their digestive system is not designed to handle a plant based diet. Cats require species appropriate food, meaning their diet must be based on meat. One excellent option for cats is a complete raw meat diet. Another option is meat based kibble or wet food. While these are not always nutritionally perfect, most cats adapt to them without issues.
If you choose to feed kibble or wet food, select a brand with a high percentage of animal based protein to better support your cat’s nutritional needs.
Can my cat eat raw meat?
A raw diet can be an excellent choice for cats. However, there are several myths surrounding raw feeding that may prevent some cat owners from making the switch. One common belief is that feeding raw meat will make a cat wild or aggressive. This is not true. Feeding a raw diet does not change a cat’s behaviour. In some cases, aggression may be linked to mineral deficiencies, which can occur on any type of diet if it is not properly balanced.
Another common myth is that raw food is unsafe. While handling raw meat always carries a risk and proper hygiene is essential, just as it is when preparing meat for human consumption, the bacteria found in raw meat pose little to no threat to healthy cats. A cat’s digestive system is designed to handle raw meat and has natural defences against harmful bacteria, including a highly acidic stomach environment. If a cat is unwell, their resistance to bacteria may be lower. For this reason, raw meat should always be handled with the same care and hygiene practices used for human food preparation.
When choosing a raw diet, it is important to ensure that it is complete and balanced. This can be achieved by purchasing pre made raw diets that are formulated to meet a cat’s nutritional needs, or by preparing a raw diet at home using well researched guidelines. There are many reliable information sources available that can help ensure the diet you provide is nutritionally complete and balanced.
Conclusion
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they rely on meat to survive and thrive. Their bodies are designed to digest animal based foods and depend on nutrients that can only be found in meat. By understanding their unique dietary needs and choosing species appropriate nutrition, cat owners can support long term health, comfort, and overall wellbeing. Through this article, we hope to have answered common questions about feline nutrition. Making informed feeding choices plays a key role in preventing nutritional deficiencies and promoting a healthier life for your cat.
If your cat is on a raw diet and you are concerned about it being fed correctly while you are away, we would be happy to help. All our sitters are experienced, comfortable, and confident when it comes to handling and feeding raw diets, so you can have peace of mind knowing your cat’s routine will be followed with care. If you would like more information about our cat sitting service, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help.