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Your cat is quite different than most mammals. Cats are obligate carnivores unlike most mammals that are omnivores (eating both meat and vegetables). By definition, the cat cannot sustain its life unless it consumes meat. This dependence
on a flesh-based diet is integral to feline health ,because there are numerous chemicals that a cat cannot manufacture
on its own. The cat must "borrow" these preformed chemicals from another animal that has synthesized them for him. These chemicals are primarily amino acids found in muscle tissue.
Taurine - Possibly the most essential cat nutrient. Present only in muscle tissue and algae. Without high levels of dietary Taurine a cat's heart function, digestive system, ocular and reproduction functions can be devastated. Since the 1970's cat food manufacturers have been adding supplemental Taurine to cat food. They have to add Taurine because, as the chart below illustrates, cooking destroys the natural Taurine content of food.
There are some other important amino acids and vitamins (listed below) that your cat cannot live without. Again, all are components of animal tissues. Just like taurine, they are all degraded or destroyed in the cooking process. In regular cooked commercial cat foods they have to be added in a chemical form after the cooking process. 1. Arginine is essential for the elimination of protein wastes. Cats are extremely sensitive to even one meal without Arginine and would die quickly if it was not contained in their diet. 2. Arachidonic Acid is needed for immune response, blood clotting and reproductive function. Unlike a dog's liver, a cat's liver lacks the enzyme needed to convert common linoleic acid to arachidonic acid. 3. Cysteine is needed in large quantities for the synthesis of cats' own special amino acid called "felinine". Felinine is required for proper kidney function. 4. Unlike other mammals, cats cannot synthesize Vitamin A naturally from carotenoids in a cat's system as it is in other mammals. Therefore, cat have to eat preformed Vitamin A which is found in high densities in livers and in egg yolks. 5. Likewise cats cannot synthesize Vitamin B12, yet it is necessary in their diets. Vitamin B12 is present only in animal products. 6. Niacin is another essential nutrient that cats cannot naturally synthesize in useful amounts, yet they need it. Meat is a rich, natural source of niacin. Diets based on cereals will always be deficient in niacin for cats. *reprinted from Nutrient Requirements of Cats, Revised Edition, 1986 which in turn has adapted from Roe and Weston, 1965, Potential Significance of Free Taurine in the Diet, Nature, 205:287.
Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified holistic veterinarian
or alternative practitioner and is not intended as veterinary advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Healthy Pet Boutique, its owners and our community. We encourage you
to make your own health care decisions for your pets based upon your own research.
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