Are cats carnivores? A veterinarian explains in detail whether meat or fish is better.

Most people have an image of cats as fish lovers. You see such scenes in anime, and it’s even mentioned in song lyrics. As an author, I have even had my own pet cat steal grilled fish from me.

While cats are said to be carnivores, is meat or fish better for them? In this article, I would like to explain the dietary habits of cats.

Cats are obligate carnivores

Animal diets are broadly categorized into "carnivorous," "herbivorous," and "omnivorous."Carnivores include lions and wolves, whose primary diet is meat. Herbivores include cows and goats, whose primary diet is grass. Omnivores include humans and pigs, animals that eat a variety of foods.

Cats are obligate carnivores. They prefer proteins such as meat and fish. Their body structures have also evolved to adapt to a carnivorous diet, characterized by sharp teeth capable of tearing meat and short intestines that prevent waste products from digested meat from accumulating in the body for long periods.

However, this does not mean they never eat anything other than protein; they may also eat carbohydrates and grass. In the past, there was even a time when people fed cats "neko manma," which was rice topped with bonito flakes.

The nutrients necessary for animals are called the five major nutrients. The five major nutrients are"carbohydrates," "proteins," "fats," "vitamins," and "minerals."

Imagine wild lions. They prey on animals through hunting. Lions are also obligate carnivores, but it is believed that they obtain missing nutrients like carbohydrates from the grass and grains found in the internal organs of the animals they eat.

If you look at cat food, it contains various nutrients in addition to protein. The well-balanced nutritional profile of current cat food is the result of extensive research conducted to help cats live healthy lives.

Do cats like fish?

You might have an image of cats loving fish, but this is actually a dietary habit unique to Japan.

It is thought that the cat's ancestor was the Near Eastern wildcat, which lived in the desert. Since they survived by eating desert creatures, they are not originally considered to be animals that eat fish.

The ancestors of Japanese cats are thought to have come from the continent around the Heian period. Japan is an island nation with a thriving fishing industry. Also, Japan at that time prohibited eating meat due to Buddhist teachings, so people obtained protein from fish. Consequently, cats were often given fish and obtained their protein from it as well. Kittens tend to prefer what they are given by their mother during the weaning period; if the mother cat ate fish, the kittens would also grow to like it. Against this background, the image that Japanese cats love fish seems to have become firmly established.

Is meat or fish better for a cat's diet?

The answer is that both are fine.

If you look at cat food, there are fish-flavored options as well as chicken-flavored ones. If you check the ingredients of food that doesn't explicitly state a flavor, you will see that it uses meat such as chicken. It is best to choose food in a flavor your cat enjoys.

If your cat starts eating less, changing the flavor sometimes helps them eat better. For therapeutic diets, some manufacturers offer several flavors for the same type of diet, such as chicken or tuna.

Since the nutrients are adjusted so as not to affect diseases, using either flavor is fine. Because cats tire of flavors easily, these variations are provided to ensure they can eat properly by changing the flavor.

What meat and fish should you avoid giving them?

I’m sure many of you are interested in homemade food or would like to give your cat something other than their regular food. While they can basically live on cat food alone, please be careful of the following if you give them meat or fish.

Raw meat and fish

Raw meat and fish present parasite issues. Toxoplasma in raw meat and Anisakis in raw fish are the main examples. You might think that since they ate raw meat originally, raw meat or fish shouldn't be a problem. However, most animals living in the wild carry some form of parasite. Some of these can also infect humans.

Shrimp, crab, octopus, squid, abalone, etc.

If a cat eats raw shrimp, crab, octopus, or squid, the enzymes contained in these can cause a vitamin B1 deficiency. These enzymes are neutralized by heating, but since cats are prone to indigestion when eating shrimp and the like, I don't think there is any need to feed it to them.

Shellfish such as abalone, turban shells, and ormer contain toxic substances. When exposed to sunlight, these substances can cause inflammation of the blood vessels, resulting in inflammation and itching. This is particularly noticeable in thin-skinned areas like the ears, leading to hair loss, inflammation, and necrosis. It can sometimes even lead to tumors. There is an old saying that "if a cat eats abalone, its ears will fall off," and this is because the toxic substances cause the ears to become necrotic.

Chicken on the bone

Some people might boil chicken to give to their cats. While I imagine no one would feed them chicken with the bone still in, chicken bones split vertically when crunched. These split bones are sharp, so if swallowed, they can damage the esophagus and stomach. In the worst-case scenario, it can lead to "perforation," where a hole is created in the digestive tract.

Seasoned food

Food seasoned for human consumption is too strong for cats. They might eat it happily, but in the future, it could become a factor for various diseases such as kidney disease, urinary stone disease, or diabetes. Some might think of washing seasoned food before cooking it, but the additives and seasonings may have already soaked into the meat. Never give such items to your cat.

Summary

While there is an image of cats loving fish, you should choose food that they enjoy, whether it is meat or fish. If you are preparing homemade food or sharing leftovers, avoid raw items or those that may affect cats, and if possible, consult an expert.