How does a cat digest food? - briefly
Cats digest food through a combination of mechanical breakdown in the mouth and stomach, followed by enzymatic action in the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.
How does a cat digest food? - in detail
A cat’s digestive process begins in the mouth, where food is mechanically broken down by sharp teeth designed for tearing and cutting. Saliva, though minimal compared to humans, contains enzymes that start the breakdown of carbohydrates. Once chewed, the food is swallowed and travels down the esophagus via peristalsis, a series of muscular contractions, to reach the stomach. In the stomach, gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and enzymes like pepsin, further break down proteins and kill harmful bacteria. The acidic environment is crucial for activating digestive enzymes and preparing nutrients for absorption. From the stomach, the partially digested food, now called chyme, moves into the small intestine, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes, and the liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released to emulsify fats. The small intestine’s lining is covered in villi, tiny projections that increase surface area for efficient nutrient absorption into the bloodstream. Undigested material then passes into the large intestine, where water and electrolytes are reabsorbed, and the remaining waste is compacted into feces. Finally, the feces are stored in the rectum and expelled through the anus. This entire process, from ingestion to excretion, typically takes 12 to 24 hours in a healthy cat, ensuring that essential nutrients are extracted and utilized while waste is efficiently eliminated.