Cats are obligate carnivores. This means they must eat primarily meat to meet their nutritional needs, and they cannot obtain all essential nutrients from plant-based foods. While they may ingest small amounts of plant matter, it does not fulfill their dietary requirements the way animal-based protein does. Key points:
- Nutritional needs: Cats rely on nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 that are abundantly available in animal tissues and are not adequately provided by typical plant-based diets.
- Digestive and metabolic design: Cats have a short digestive tract and specialized enzymes suited to processing animal protein and fat, not a plant-heavy diet. This supports their status as obligate carnivores.
- Practical feeding implications: A commercial feline diet formulated to meet AAFCO/industry standards for cats should be meat-based in its primary protein source. Some cats may tolerate small amounts of fiber or certain plant-based ingredients, but these are not primary energy sources and cannot substitute for animal protein.
If you’re considering dietary choices for a specific cat (age, health conditions, or dietary restrictions), I can help evaluate options and discuss signs that indicate diet suitability.
