Cats are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional needs that differ fundamentally from dogs or humans. Meeting these needs is essential for their long-term health and welfare.
Cat nutritional welfare begins with understanding that cats evolved as strict carnivores with a biochemistry fundamentally different from omnivores. Their bodies require pre-formed animal-source nutrients that they cannot synthesize themselves. Feeding cats plant-based or low-protein diets causes serious health problems — taurine deficiency causes dilated cardiomyopathy and retinal degeneration. The low thirst drive of cats means that dry food diets, though convenient, contribute to chronic mild dehydration that increases urinary disease risk. Wet food diets or raw meat diets better match feline water intake needs. Obesity prevention requires controlled portion feeding rather than ad libitum dry food access. The nutritional welfare of cats requires owner education that counters marketing claims with biological reality: cats are carnivores that need meat.