Cats and a Raw Diet - Why Is It So Important?
Why Is A Raw Diet So Important For Cats?
Cats Are Obligate Carnivores - They Need Protein to Survive
Cats have evolved from desert wildcats and their physiology has changed little over time. Cats are obligate or true carnivores meaning they get their nutrition from animal tissue versus plants. They require 0% – 5% plant matter in their diet which comes primarily from the prey they eat rather than eating it directly. There are significant differences in cats versus dogs or humans. Cats have no carbohydrate requirements in their diet. Their bodies don’t convert plant matter to nutrients the way dogs or poeple can. Take a look at a cat’s teeth and you’ll see they’re meant to tear their food rather then chew it. They need their prey animals to digest the plant matter first. Cats who eat too much plant matter have difficulties digesting it properly resulting in overworked digestive systems, an exhausted metabolism and extra fat and toxins are stored.
A diet rich in bio-available meat, organs and fat is key to their long-term health. Because they are obligate carnivores they have lost the ability to synthesize certain nutrients and consequently they must get these amino acids, vitamins and minerals from their diet. For instance, taurine and arginine are not synthesized by cats but are available in raw meats and organs. This is a significant difference between cats and dogs who are able to tolerate a higher level of plants and carbohydrates and do synthesize some amino acids (e.g. amylase).
Cats also benefit from the high fat available in the animal tissue. It’s helpful in providing increased energy, nutrient utilization and regulation of their metabolism. Plus it just makes food taste better, naturally!
The Importance of Water
As desert animals cats receive intracellular moisture from the prey they eat which results in cats having a very low thirst drive. The typical prey animal (e.g. mouse) is about 70% moisture. The typical dry diet is around 10% moisture. Getting their moisture through a raw diet rather than just from a fresh water source helps their digestive system work more effectively in flushing out toxins.
Cats do not have the enzyme, amylase, in their bodies, unlike dogs, which does not allow them to digest carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are then turned into fat in their bodies and without sufficient moisture in their diets toxins can build up which over-burdens their system. A raw diet is high in protein, high in moisture and low in carbohydrates making it the optimum diet for cats.
Of course, fresh water should always be available for your cat. Preferably in multiple locations and away from their food. Cats don’t typically like to drink where they eat.