Why Cats Need to Eat Meat: Understanding Obligate Carnivores

Cats are obligate carnivores and have unique dietary needs that have evolved over thousands of years. Their bodies are specifically designed to thrive on a meat-based diet. We explore why cats need to eat meat, the essential nutrients they derive from animal sources, and why plant-based diets simply don’t suffice. We’ll also look at why raw feeding is considered one of the best approaches to meet these dietary needs.

Evolution of feline dietary needs

Cats, have a fascinating evolutionary history that has shaped their dietary needs. Their early ancestors were solitary hunters, relying on their sharp claws, keen senses, and stealth-like movements to capture prey. This predatory lifestyle led them to rely on a diet primarily composed of small animals, such as rodents and birds, rich in protein and essential nutrients. Over time, their anatomy and physiology adapted to this carnivorous diet, resulting in the sleek, efficient hunters we see today. Their short digestive tracts, pointed teeth, and a high reliance on animal-derived nutrients like taurine and arginine is why they are obligate carnivores. 

All members of the cat family, whether big cats or domesticated cats, are obligate carnivores because they rely almost entirely on animal flesh to meet their nutritional needs. 

The dietary requirements of cats differ significantly from those of dogs, which are facultative carnivores. Unlike cats, dogs can tolerate a more flexible diet. While dogs primarily eat meat, they can also consume and obtain essential nutrients from plant-based foods. This distinction is crucial when raw feeding dogs and cats – it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. You must cater to the unique dietary needs of each species accordingly.

Physical traits of cats that support a meat-based diet

Cats are anatomically and biologically designed to eat and thrive on animal flesh, which is why they need a meat-based diet.

• Sharp teeth and claws: Cats have sharp, retractable claws and strong, pointed teeth designed for gripping, tearing, and devouring meat. Their long canines are designed for piercing and gripping, crucial for catching and holding prey in the wild. Their back teeth, called carnassials, act like scissors, efficiently slicing through flesh and crushing bones, showcasing their true predatory nature.

• Short digestive tracts: Unlike omnivores and herbivores, cats have relatively short digestive tracts which suit a meat-based diet. This shorter digestive system allows them to efficiently process and absorb nutrients from animal-based foods which are rich in proteins and fats and much easier for a cat to digest than plant matter.

Essential nutrients cats get from eating meat

Cats require certain nutrients that are plentiful in meat but hard to find in plant-based foods. These include:

• Taurine: Taurine is crucial for heart health, vision, and reproduction. Unlike other animals, cats can’t produce enough taurine on their own and must get it from their diet. Meat, especially animal organs, is rich in taurine.

• Arginine: Arginine plays a key role in detoxifying ammonia in the body. A lack of arginine can lead to serious health issues, including a potentially fatal condition called hyperammonemia. Cats primarily get arginine from animal proteins.

• Vitamin A: Cats can’t convert beta-carotene from plant sources into active vitamin A, like some other animals can. They need preformed vitamin A from meat to support vision, immune function, and overall health.

• Arachidonic acid: This essential fatty acid helps regulate inflammation, maintain skin health, and support reproductive functions. Since it’s only found in animal fats, cats must eat meat to get enough arachidonic acid.

• Protein and amino acids: Cats also need more protein than many other animals. They require specific amino acids such as methionine, cysteine, and lysine, which are abundant in animal proteins. These are vital for growth, maintenance, and overall health.

Without these nutrients found in animal meat, cats can develop serious health issues and deficiencies which is why a meat-based diet is so important.

Inadequacy of plant-based diets for cats 

While plant-based diets can be suitable for some animals, they do not meet the unique nutritional needs of obligate carnivores like cats. Please do NOT feed your cat a vegan diet.

Herbivores and omnivores have digestive systems designed to break down and extract nutrients from plant matter. They can convert certain plant-based compounds into essential nutrients. Cats, on the other hand, lack the enzymatic pathways to efficiently convert plant-based nutrients into the forms they need. They rely on meat to obtain essential nutrients, like taurine, arginine, vitamin A, arachidonic acid, and other amino acids. 

Unfortunately, cats that consume plant matter can experience gastrointestinal issues because they cannot effectively digest plant fibres. Their digestive systems are designed to process and absorb nutrients from animal-based foods, not a plant-based diet.

Why raw feeding is the best choice

The best approach to meet the dietary needs of obligate carnivores like cats is to feed a raw diet. Here’s why:

• Natural diet: Raw feeding closely mirrors the diet cats would naturally consume in the wild, providing them with raw meat, bones, and organs. 

• Nutrient-rich: Raw diets are packed with essential nutrients that cats need to thrive, including high-quality proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients are in their most bioavailable forms, making them easier for cats to digest and absorb.

• Improved health and vitality: Cats on raw diets often have better coat condition, skin health, and overall vitality. They may experience better digestion, increased energy levels, and a reduced risk of obesity and related health issues.

• Supports natural behaviours: Raw feeding encourages natural chewing and tearing behaviours, providing mental stimulation and satisfaction for cats. This can lead to better mental well-being and reduced stress.

Understanding why cats need a meat-based diet is essential for their health and longevity. As obligate carnivores, cats have evolved to rely on nutrients found in animal tissues. Their unique anatomical and physiological traits, combined with the essential nutrients that only a meat-based diet can provide, highlight why it’s so important to feed cats appropriately. It’s also why we personally recommend raw feeding for cats. Plant-based diets do not meet cats’ unique nutritional needs and can lead to serious health issues.