FM2 Pt3-3 Nutritional Requirements of Cats

Question 1

What is the minimum dietary protein requirement for cats compared to dogs?

Answer 1

Cats require a minimum of 29% protein in their diet, whereas dogs require a minimum of 12%.

Question 2

Why can’t cats meet their protein needs through plant-based sources?

Answer 2

Cats have adapted to obtaining essential amino acids from animal protein, making plant proteins insufficient to meet their dietary needs.

Question 3

How much more protein do adult cats need compared to non-carnivores?

Answer 3

Adult cats require 2-3 times more protein than typical adult non-carnivores.

Question 4

Why can’t cats down-regulate their liver enzymes when fed a low-protein diet?

Answer 4

Cats cannot down-regulate enzymes involved in protein metabolism, leading them to break down body protein when dietary protein is insufficient.

Question 5

What metabolic adaptation allows cats to use protein for energy?

Answer 5

Cats use protein to produce glucose through gluconeogenesis, as their natural diet (prey) is low in carbohydrates.

Question 6

How do cats’ intestines adapt to a low-protein diet?

Answer 6

Cats develop longer villi and deeper crypts in the intestine to maximize protein absorption when fed a low-protein diet.

Question 7

Why do cats require dietary arginine?

Answer 7

Cats cannot synthesize arginine from other amino acids, and a deficiency can lead to toxic ammonia buildup, causing rapid death.

Question 8

What are the consequences of taurine deficiency in cats?

Answer 8

Taurine deficiency can cause retinal degeneration, dilated cardiomyopathy, poor reproductive performance, and impaired growth in kittens.

Question 9

Why can’t cats synthesize sufficient taurine?

Answer 9

Cats have limited capacity to synthesize taurine and use it extensively in bile acid conjugation, leading to a high dietary requirement.

Question 10

What role does tyrosine play in cats?

Answer 10

Tyrosine is the precursor of melanins, which influence skin and hair color in cats.

Question 11

Why do cats require higher amounts of methionine and cystine than other species?

Answer 11

These amino acids are needed for taurine synthesis, hair production, and production of felinine, which is used for territorial marking.

Question 12

What clinical signs can indicate a deficiency in methionine and cystine in cats?

Answer 12

Deficiency can cause poor growth and crusting dermatitis around the mouth and nose.

Question 13

Why can’t cats produce vitamin A from β-carotene like other animals?

Answer 13

Cats have lost the gene responsible for producing the enzyme that cleaves carotenoids to form vitamin A, so they require pre-formed vitamin A from animal sources.

Question 14

What are the risks of feeding cats high levels of vitamin A?

Answer 14

Prolonged high levels of vitamin A can cause toxicity, leading to excessive bone deposition around the spine and joints, causing locomotor and neurological problems.

Question 15

Why can’t cats synthesize sufficient vitamin D through sunlight exposure?

Answer 15

Cats lack sufficient dehydrocholesterol in their skin to form the vitamin D precursor, as this compound is primarily used to produce cholesterol.

Question 16

What is the consequence of vitamin D deficiency in cats?

Answer 16

Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, a disease characterized by poor bone mineralization.

Question 17

Why do cats require niacin (vitamin B3) in their diet?

Answer 17

Cats cannot synthesize niacin from tryptophan like other mammals because tryptophan is used in an alternative pathway.

Question 18

What are the symptoms of niacin deficiency in cats?

Answer 18

Niacin deficiency can cause neurological, gastrointestinal, and dermatological problems.

Question 19

Why do cats easily digest and metabolize fat?

Answer 19

Cats are adapted to a high-fat, high-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet, similar to that of their prey, making them efficient at digesting and utilizing fat.

Question 20

What are essential fatty acids (EFAs), and why are they important?

Answer 20

EFAs are polyunsaturated fatty acids that maintain normal health and metabolism, contributing to cellular structure and function, especially in the skin.

Question 21

What are the two major families of essential fatty acids (EFAs)?

Answer 21

The two major families are omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Question 22

Why do cats require dietary sources of arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)?

Answer 22

Cats have a low level of the enzyme Δ6-desaturase, making them unable to synthesize many necessary PUFAs from linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) sources.

Question 23

What are the consequences of essential fatty acid deficiency in cats?

Answer 23

EFA deficiency can cause growth retardation, skin problems, inflammation, infertility, organ failure, and even death.

Question 24

Is there an absolute requirement for carbohydrates in a cat’s diet?

Answer 24

No, there is no known absolute requirement for carbohydrates in a cat’s diet.

Question 25

Why are cats less able to handle a large glucose load compared to other species?

Answer 25

Cats lack the enzyme glucokinase, which is efficient in metabolizing high glucose loads in other animals.

Question 26

What enzymes help cats metabolize glucose?

Answer 26

Cats rely on enzymes like hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and pyruvate kinase to metabolize glucose.

Question 27

How does the level of amylase in cats compare to dogs?

Answer 27

Cats have much lower quantities of amylase in their pancreatic secretions and intestines compared to dogs.

Question 28

What effect does cooking have on the digestibility of carbohydrates for cats?

Answer 28

Cooking improves the digestibility of carbohydrates for cats, although the digestion and absorption process may be slower.

Question 29

Why should adult cats not be given milk?

Answer 29

Adult cats generally have low tolerance for lactose, as lactase enzyme activity declines after about 7 weeks of age, which can lead to digestive issues like diarrhea.

Question 30

Why do cats have limited ability to utilize sucrose?

Answer 30

Cats lack the enzyme fructokinase, which limits their ability to utilize sucrose.

Question 31

What role does dietary fiber play in a cat’s diet?

Answer 31

Although not natural to a cat’s diet, fiber in commercial foods regulates intestinal transit time, supports gut microflora, and influences fecal volume and appearance.

Question 32

Why have cats evolved to lose certain enzymes, such as those needed for synthesizing arginine and vitamin A?

Answer 32

Cats evolved as strict carnivores, so many enzymes became redundant due to their meat-based diet, leading to a decline in enzyme activity.

Question 33

What should commercial cat food formulations consider?

Answer 33

Commercial cat food must account for the metabolic peculiarities of cats, such as their reliance on animal nutrients, to promote health and prevent deficiencies.