Being true carnivores, the nutritional needs of cats can only be met with a meat-based or animal protein-rich diet. The ideal diet of cats is high in protein and fat while being low in carbohydrates. Since their digestive system has evolved to process a meat-based diet, the ability of cats to process any carbohydrate in their diet is only up to a certain level. Other reasons why cats and carbs don’t work great include the following:
- Taste receptors for sweet foods are absent.
- Cats don’t produce the enzyme salivary amylase that is important in the initial breakdown of starch in the mouth.
- Pancreatic amylase and intestinal disaccharides, enzymes that are needed for carb digestion and metabolism is produced in limited amounts in cats.
- The absorption of glucose, which are end-products of digestion of carbohydrates, in the intestine is very low.
Any change in your pet’s dietary habits should be brought to the attention of your vet Plano, TX.
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