Digestive physio and feeding characteristics of healthy cats

Question 1

Mouth

Answer 1

30 teeth

Are carnivores, don’t chew like omnivores- use teeth to cut meat

Saliva does NOT contain any digestive enzymes

Question 2

Stomach (same as for dogs)

Answer 2

60-70% of the GIT

High HCl and pepsin- good protein digestion and low pH (1.5-3.5)

Question 3

Small Intestine

Answer 3

Short: 3-4x the length of the body

pH:6-7

Contents of stomach: digestion of chyme and absorption of nutrients

Villi: incr the surface area. disaccharidases and peptidases are released from the tips, in young lactase is produced by the brush border

Question 4

Large Intestine

Answer 4

Simple, short and smooth

Abs of water and electrolyes

Some ferm

Storage of waste

Question 5

What is the total transit time through the GIT

Answer 5

13 hours

Question 6

Liver

Answer 6

Detoxification of vit A

Therefore only cats being fed liver diet can get toxicosis of vit A

Question 7

Kidney

Answer 7

Concentration

Question 8

Pancreas:

Answer 8

Proteases: trypsin! and cymotrypsin

Lipase

Question 9

Bile

Answer 9

Conjugated bile acids: ONLY TAURINE! (no glycine)

Emulsify fats

Activate lipase

Question 10

Special concerns of feline nutrition (5)

Answer 10

1. Obligate car- require meat for essential nutrients especially taurine
2. No starch digestion
3. Eat small quantities frequently
4. Intake is regulated by E intake- this is why minerals and protein should be adjusted acc to their E
5. Easily become addicted to their kitten diet- may stop eating for weeks- hepatic lipidosis

Question 11

Essential nutrients

Answer 11

Taurine

Arachidonic acid

Vit A