Obligate Carnivores

I put this information in the need-to-know-but-didn’t-cat-e-gory: Did you know that felines have a higher protein requirement than many other mammals? That the only way cats can meet their nutritional needs is by consuming other animals?

Cats are true carnivores.

So even if your kitty likes to eat a grass salad, she needs to get her taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A and vitamin B12 from meat, or she could suffer from problems with her liver, heart, skin and hearing.

Who knew?

Whether it contains animal protein or not, domestic cat food does not include the small prey, birds, rodents or reptiles kitties really need in their diet for proper nutrition. Our kitties adapt to the dry and wet food we do provide for them, though, and that can make it a little easier on their digestion.

Somehow, this information allows me to be just a little more lenient with my kitties when they’re cornering the spider or insect in the corner of the living room for a little nosh.

Janet Muniz

(photo credit: tobym)

April 13th, 2009 by Pet Guy | Posted in Cat Food | (0)