July 15, 2025 – Cats cannot taste sugar. Although the fundamental functions of cat mitochondria are significantly similar to ours, their diet and metabolism for supporting mitochondric energy have evolutionary divergence from that of humans. Cats prefer small prey of birds, rodents, and frogs that are neither sugar coated nor high in carbohydrates. Proteins broken down into amino acids that convert into molecules that enter the Krebs Cycle (somewhat different from the breakdown processes of either glucose or fatty acids) are the main energy drivers for these small carnivores. Along with a higher metabolic rate, cats have double breath rates when compared with that of humans which keep their Krebs Cycle and ATP production humming. Our cat, Tough-E, snuggles down to snooze for hours and all of the sudden, she has a burst of energy by dashing down the hallway. She of course, gulps down Watt-Ahh loaded with active oxygen to keep her engine purring.
Cats digestibility of carbohydrates is limited and can ultimately lead to diseases such as feline obesity and diabetes. Their optimum diets consist of both proteins and fats and low in carbohydrates. Kibble may be an enticing snack for your cat but carbohydrates are added for the structural integrity of the small nuggets. Canned wet food can have a formed gel to keep the clump together in the dish but the high-heat processing also can reduce the nutritional value of the wet canned food.
Cats are finicky about what they eat which is funny when one thinks about their hunting evolution of small prey over the span of eons … yuck! Our cat Tough-E gets both broth with chunks of meat poured from a sealed pouch and kibble along with a large bowl of Watt-Ahh nearby (no soda!). Previously, there were lots of trials and errors bringing home to her the full range of organic, free-ranging, refrigerated and line-caught foods which she dismissed them all. Maybe the buffet of dry and wet foods is not the champion of healthy choices for her but Tough-E has taught us on what she likes to eat (and will eat).
The mystery of solving what a cat will eat becomes a social event for their bewildered owners pondering over the cat food selection at the grocery store. It is always a good time to strike up a conversation to commiserate over the secret eating preferences of our cats.
For the entire 2025 Series on Be the Ahh! Pets, go to this link.
Sharing AHA! Discoveries
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