Although cats and dogs are both the closest pet companions of humans, their nutritional needs are fundamentally different. The first step in scientific feeding is to understand and respect these differences.
Cats: Born ‘pure carnivores’
Cats are typical carnivores, and their digestive system is designed specifically for processing animal protein. Cats need protein to maintain blood sugar levels and will try to use protein and fat in their food as the fundamental energy source for survival. Carbohydrates are not essential for cats.
Cats require about twice as much protein as dogs. The minimum dietary protein requirement for adult cats is 26% (dry matter basis), while for adult dogs it is only 18%. In addition to higher protein content, cat food also contains many nutrients that dog food does not have or is insufficient in, including arginine, taurine, arachidonic acid, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, etc. Cats have several times higher demand for these nutrients than dogs.
Taurine is one of the most important differences in nutritional requirements between cats and dogs. Cats cannot synthesize or reuse enough taurine and must supplement it from their diet. Lack of taurine can cause blindness in cats and lead to related heart diseases. Dogs can synthesize taurine on their own in the body without the need for additional supplementation.
Dogs: omnivorous animals with stronger adaptability
Although dogs are carnivorous omnivores, their demand for protein and fat is not as high as that of cats. Dogs can obtain the necessary nutrients from different food sources and have a higher demand for carbohydrates than cats. Dogs are more likely to adapt to a high carbohydrate diet.
Cat food and dog food should not be mixed for feeding
Cat food is often more calorie dense and has higher levels of fat and protein. If dogs are fed cat food for a long time, it may cause overweight, gastrointestinal discomfort, and even pancreatitis. On the contrary, long-term consumption of dog food by cats can lead to deficiencies in key nutrients such as taurine.
The simplest and healthiest feeding principle is to let cats eat cat food and dogs eat dog food.
With the upgrading of China’s pet industry towards refined pet raising, pet owners’ demand for refined products such as “specialized food for different breeds” and “specialized food for different body types” is increasing day by day. From 2024 to 2025, the GMV growth rate of cat food and dog food in the high-end price range (60-100 yuan/kg) will lead the industry average. Consumers are paying increasing attention to product features such as high fresh meat, high protein, gluten free, and low sensitivity.
Understanding the nutritional differences between cats and dogs and choosing specialized foods that are suitable for their physiological characteristics is the most fundamental health commitment of every pet owner to their furry children.