Special recommendations for strict carnivores

14juni2006
Source: Burger, 1995; Lewis, 1989; Robbins, 1993
Cats have several remarkable needs when food is concerned. Their metabolism is set to a diet consisting of animal food products only. A cat is therefore not capable of obtaining all the nutrients they need from vegetable food.
Cats have a higher protein requirement than, for example, dogs. Enzymes in the catÂ’s liver transforms amino acids in glucose as an energy supplier. Unlike is the case with omnivores and herbivores, the activity of these enzymes does not diminish when the feed contains too little protein. This explains their higher protein requirement.

A shortage of protein can be limited to only a shortage of several amino acids. Nutrients that strict carnivores cannot make themselves, like other animals can, are: arginine, taurine, vitamin A, vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 and essential fatty acids. These nutrients deserve special attention when composing a suitable feed for cats and other strict carnivores.