Cats can be mysterious creatures, especially when it comes to their eating habits and digestion. One minute, they’re devouring their dinner, and the next, they’re ignoring their favorite food or even worse - throwing it up. Have you ever wondered what’s really going on inside your cat’s stomach?
Here are some fascinating facts about how your cat’s stomach works. Understanding their bodies and how they work can help to keep them happy and healthy.
Cats Have Small Stomachs
A cat’s stomach is only about the size of a ping-pong ball. That means it can only hold around two to four tablespoons of food at a time. Because of this, cats naturally prefer to eat a few small meals throughout the day rather than one or two big meals.
If your cat likes to graze on their food and take their time eating, that’s perfectly normal and healthy. It’s how their bodies are designed to work.
Cats are True Carnivores
Cats’ stomachs and digestive systems are built specifically for meat-based diets. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their bodies require nutrients that come only from animal protein, such as taurine, arachidonic acid, and certain vitamins. Cats need to eat meat for their bodies to operate properly.
Their stomach acid is also highly acidic, around 1-2.5, which is almost twice as acidic as a human stomach. This helps them to quickly break down raw meat and kill any bacteria that might make other animals sick.
Cats Digest Their Food Quickly
Because cats are carnivores, their digestive systems are short and very efficient at processing protein and fat. Food passes through a cat’s system in about 12 to 24 hours. For comparison, a human body typically takes 24 to 72 hours to digest food.
However, their bodies do not process plant material very effectively. This is why too much fiber or grains like corn or wheat can lead to upset stomachs. High-quality foods that are rich in animal protein are easiest for your cat to digest and absorb.
Hairballs Can’t Be Digested
Cats are meticulous groomers, and all that licking means they swallow their loose fur. Normally, the fur passes through their digestive tract without any issue, but sometimes it builds up in the stomach and forms a hairball. This is particularly common for long-haired cats. Hair is made of keratin, which is a fibrous structural protein that is resistant to a cat’s digestive system. Since hair cannot be digested, cats will vomit the hairballs out.
Occasional hairballs are normal, but more frequent hairballs can be a sign of overgrooming, excessive shedding, or digestive trouble. Regular brushing and proper hydration can help keep hairballs to a minimum.
Sensitive Stomachs Are Common
Many cats have sensitive stomachs. This can happen from eating too fast, sudden changes in their diet, food allergies, or even stress. Feeding your cat a consistent, easily digestible diet with high-quality ingredients can help keep their stomach settled. Slow-feeder bowls, food puzzles, small, frequent meals, and probiotics can be very helpful for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Their Bodies are Not Suited for Fasting
Since cats do best with small, frequent meals, they do not do well when they go for several days without eating. A cat's metabolism is not adapted to fasting and their liver can become overwhelmed by processing stored fat for energy. Because of this, cats are prone to a condition called fatty liver disease if they stop eating, particularly if they are overweight.
All Cats Have Primordial Pouches
A primordial pouch is extra loose skin and fatty tissue that is most noticeable near the rear legs of the cat’s body, though it spans the length of the belly. Kittens are born with these pouches, but they don’t become prominent until kittens are about six months old. All cats have them and they are not a sign of being overweight. The extra fat and skin serves as an added layer of cushion over the vital organs. The primordial pouch can also help cats to better extend their bodies, especially when escaping predators or chasing prey.
After a big meal, the primordial pouch can temporarily expand while the cat digests their food. In this way, the pouch acts as a fat reserve for the cat to use as energy later on when a meal may not be readily available.
Your cat’s stomach might be small, but it plays a big role in their overall health and happiness. Understanding how their digestive system works can help you choose the food, feeding schedule, and care routine that works best for them.
Love, Nala
