Life of the Lintee Bean

A couple questions were posed recently regarding diets for dogs versus cats.

Dogs are opportunistic carnivores, or omnivores, like human beings. If you can prepare healthy well-balanced meals for your human family, you can do so for your dog. Dogs might not only enjoy a homemade casserole, in fact they’d probably enjoy a side salad of greens and cottage cheese!

Cats, on the other hand, are obligate (true or strict) carnivores. Cats have been domesticated for significantly less time than dogs and even after choosing to live in proximity to humans, they retained their independent nature, and survived on rodents they hunted rather than table scraps.

Cats, as true carnivores, cannot manufacture essential nutrients like arachidonic acid or taurine. Arachidonic acid affects coat, skin, and ability to reproduce. Lack of sufficient taurine can lead to blindness and heart failure. Taurine is prevalent in raw meat, but is easily destroyed by grinding or cooking. All nutritionally complete commercial cat food is now supplemented with taurine. In a study by Winn Feline Foundation, cats fed whole ground rabbit were faring well until one cat died suddenly ten months into the study. Upon testing the remaining cats, they were all found to be deficient in taurine.

Cats have no need for carbohydrates and cannot obtain nutrients from plants. For example, while humans and dogs can obtain vitamin A from a carrot, cats need to obtain vitamin A from animal sources, such as liver. Vitamin A deficiency can affect vision, while vitamin A excess may affect muscle function. Many commercial cat foods contain grains, vegetables, and fruits, not because they benefit cats’ health but because these materials are less expensive than meat, and often appeal to the caregiver.

Cats cannot live on meat alone. They also need calcium and other minerals found in the bones of their prey. Cooked bone becomes sharp and brittle, so pet food manufacturers typically use supplements.

I applaud efforts to prepare homemade diets for pets. If you aren’t prepared to make their own pet food, I recommend a commercial raw or canned diet. For cats, look for a food containing little-to-no grains, vegetables, and fruits. I do not recommend dry food for cats, as it has been linked to many health problems, such as urinary tract disorders, diabetes, and obesity.

I would recommend the following websites for more information and recipes for cat food:
http://www.felineoutreach.org
http://www.catnutrition.org
http://www.catinfo.org
https://meowmeowmom.wordpress.com/category/feline-nutrition-and-health/

Cats are carnivores!