Domestic cats often eat vegetarian food, but why are they carnivores? Domestic cat: That’s because you don’t let me eat meat

There are dozens of species of cats, but generally they can be divided into two categories: wild cats and non-wild cats. Wild cats include lions, tigers, snow leopards, clouded leopards, leopards, etc., while non-wild cats only include domestic cats. If you say that wild cats such as lions, tigers, and snow leopards are carnivores, I believe no one will refute it. But if you say that domestic cats are carnivores, some people may raise objections: ​​​​​​

In fact, domestic cats are indeed carnivores. Taxonomically speaking, domestic cats belong to the family Felidae, which belongs to the order Carnivora. Animals in the order Carnivora are often called carnivores. Cats, canines, bears, hyenas, etc. are all carnivores. There are big differences between carnivores and herbivores in the digestive system: (1) Carnivores have relatively developed canine teeth, which are good for biting and penetrating prey skin; herbivores have relatively developed molars, which are good for grinding plants. (2) Carnivores have less developed stomachs, shorter intestines, and smooth surfaces, which are not conducive to digesting plants; herbivores have relatively developed stomachs, long intestines, and rough surfaces, which are more conducive to digesting plants.

For domestic cats, their digestive tracts are shorter and contain fewer enzymes to digest carbohydrates, so it is somewhat difficult to digest plants. Studies have found that domestic cats require approximately 20% protein in their food, and they rely heavily on the supply of arginine. If there is a lack of arginine in the food, domestic cats will lose weight and may even be fatal. In addition, domestic cats are also very dependent on taurine contained in meat. If they are lacking taurine, their retinas will gradually degenerate and their vision will eventually become poor.

In fact, judging whether an animal is a carnivore or a herbivore has nothing to do with the animal's usual eating habits. For example, giant pandas, which belong to the Ursidae family, eat a lot of bamboo a day, but from a physiological structure, they are still carnivores. Pandas are carnivores, not to mention domestic cats, which are members of the cat family?

However, in reality, owners do not seem to give domestic cats the full right to choose food. Basically, domestic cats can eat what the owners provide. Some domestic cats are half-vegetarian and half-vegetarian, and some less lucky ones are even completely vegetarian. When an owner discovers that a domestic cat can eat rice three meals a day just like him, he will wonder: Are domestic cats really carnivores?

If domestic cats could talk, they would definitely cry: Master, Master, I am a carnivore like a tiger. It’s not that I don’t eat meat. What can I do if you don’t let me eat meat...