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

You probably have the impression that cats like fish. You see it in anime and hear it in song lyrics. I myself have had my grilled fish snatched by my pet cat.

Cats are said to be carnivores, but which is better for them: meat or fish? This time, I'd like to explain the eating habits of cats.

Cats are obligate carnivores

The eating habits of animals are broadly divided into "carnivores," "herbivores," and "omnivores."Carnivores, like lions and wolves, primarily eat meat. Herbivores, like cows and goats, primarily eat plants. Omnivores, like humans and pigs, eat a variety of foods.

Cats are obligate carnivores. They prefer proteins like meat and fish. Their body structure has also evolved to accommodate a carnivorous diet, featuring sharp teeth capable of tearing meat and short intestines to 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 sometimes eat carbohydrates and grass. In the past, there was a time when cats were fed "nekomamma," which was rice topped with bonito flakes.

The essential nutrients 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.

Looking at cat food, it contains various nutrients in addition to protein. As a result of extensive research into how cats can live healthy lives, the current nutritional balance of cat food is considered optimal.

Do cats like fish?

While you might have the impression that cats love fish, it's actually an eating habit unique to Japan.

The ancestor of cats is believed to be the African wildcat, which lived in the desert. They survived by eating desert creatures, so it is thought that they were not originally fish-eating animals.

It is believed that the ancestors of Japanese cats arrived from the continent around the Heian period. Japan is an island nation with a thriving fishing industry. At that time, eating meat was forbidden in Japan due to Buddhist teachings, so people obtained protein from fish. Consequently, cats were also often fed fish and obtained protein from it. Kittens tend to prefer what they were given by their mother during weaning, so if the mother cat ate fish, the kittens would also come to like fish. Due to this background, the image of Japanese cats liking fish seems to have become firmly established.

Which is better for a cat's diet: meat or fish?

The answer is either is fine.

If you look at cat food, some are fish-flavored while others are chicken-flavored. For foods that don't specify a flavor, checking the ingredients will reveal that they use meats like chicken. It's best to choose a food that your cat prefers.

If your cat starts to eat less, changing the flavor might encourage them to eat more. Some therapeutic foods offer several flavors of the same type, such as chicken or tuna, to account for this.

Since the nutrients are adjusted not to affect the illness, there is no problem using either flavor. They are designed to allow cats to eat properly by offering flavor changes due to their tendency to get bored with the same taste.

What meats and fish should not be given to cats?

Many people might be interested in homemade food or want to give their cats something other than regular food. While cats can generally thrive on just cat food, if you're going to give them meat or fish, please pay attention to the following points.

Raw meat or fish

Raw meat and fish pose a risk of parasites. Toxoplasma in raw meat and Anisakis in raw fish are common examples. Some might argue that since animals originally ate raw meat, raw meat and fish should not be a problem. In the wild, most animals are infected with some form of parasite. Some of these can also infect humans.

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

If cats eat raw shrimp, crab, octopus, or squid, the enzymes in these animals can cause vitamin B1 deficiency. While these enzymes are destroyed by heat, cats are prone to indigestion when eating shrimp and similar items, so I don't think there's any need to intentionally give them these foods.

Shellfish such as abalone, turban shells, and ear shells contain toxic components. When exposed to sunlight, these toxins can cause inflammation and itching in the blood vessels. Symptoms are particularly common in the thinly furred ears, leading to hair loss, inflammation, and necrosis in the ears. Tumors can also develop. It has long been said that "a cat's ears will fall off if it eats abalone," which is because the toxic components cause necrosis of the ears.

Chicken bones

Some people might boil chicken and feed it to their cats. While I doubt anyone would give chicken with bones still attached, chicken bones can splinter vertically when chewed. The sharp splinters can damage the esophagus or stomach if swallowed. In the worst case, this can lead to perforation, a hole in the digestive tract.

Flavored foods

Foods flavored for human consumption are too strong for cats. While they might eagerly eat them, these foods can contribute to various diseases such as kidney disease, urinary stones, and diabetes in the long run. Some people might wash and then cook flavored foods, but there's a possibility that additives have permeated the food. Absolutely do not give these to your cat.

Summary

While cats have an image of liking fish, choose a food they prefer, whether it's meat or fish. If you're preparing homemade food or sharing your own food, avoid raw items or anything that could harm your cat, and if possible, consult with an expert.