You’ve probably heard that cats are what we call “strict carnivores.” But what exactly does this mean? That our feline friends can’t eat anything other than meat? The answer in this article!
Giving vegetables to a cat is like giving meat to a cow
By itself, adding a little fruit and vegetables to a cat’s diet will not kill it. What would be dangerous would be to offer him an exclusively vegetarian or vegan diet.
Indeed, cats are strict carnivores, which means that they have mainly need animal protein – that is, meat – in their diet to survive. These proteins cannot therefore under any circumstances be replaced by vegetable proteins.
The taurinefor example, is an essential amino acid that felines are unable to synthesize on their own and that they must find in meat or fish.
It’s exactly the same principle as for a cow: the latter does not have a digestive system designed to digest meat; the cat is not made to digest fruits and vegetables. He can eat it occasionally, but it should not constitute the bulk of his diet.
Moreover, in the wild, cats only feed on their prey (rodents, birds, etc.). The only time they can be seen chewing on plants is usually to purge. Their digestive system is also specifically suitable for raw meat consumption. This is because their digestive tract is shorter compared to many other animals, which allows them to digest raw prey very easily.
Conversely, animals that feed primarily on plants need a long intestine that contains fermenting bacteria.
What can you give your cat besides meat?
All of a cat’s meals should consist of a majority of meat or fish. However, it is also possible to add other foods to your daily ration, whether as a supplement or as a treat.
Thus, fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, cucumbers, strawberries, peaches or even pears can be presented to a feline. However, it’s not certain that he wants to eat it!
Good to know : vegetables must always be cooked or boiled and fruits must be seeded, pitted, diced and peeled before being given to our furballs.
As for pasta, rice, bread or even cereals, it is also allowed to occasionally give them to your cat. On the other hand, regular consumption of these foods high in carbohydrates could lead to digestive disorders as well as, in the long term, more serious pathologies such as obesity or diabetes. In fact, cats do not need carbohydrates in their diet.
Finally, as you can imagine, sweet foods are of no interest in a feline’s diet. Especially since cats hardly sense the sweet flavor, unlike salty, sour and bitter.
